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National Institutes of Health

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nations biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs. To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this FOA will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on: Courses for Skills Development

National Institutes of Health

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nations biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs. To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this FOA will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on: Courses for Skills Development

U.S. National Science Foundation

Software is an integral enabler of computation, experiment and theory and a primary modality for realizing the Cyberinfrastructure Framework for 21st Century Science and Engineering (CIF21) vision, as described in http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10015/nsf10015.jsp. Scientific discovery and innovation are advancing along fundamentally new pathways opened by development of increasingly sophisticated software. Software is also directly responsible for increased scientific productivity and significant enhancement of researchers' capabilities. In order to nurture, accelerate and sustain this critical mode of scientific progress, NSF has established the Software Infrastructure for Sustained Innovation (SI2) program, with the overarching goal of transforming innovations in research and education into sustained software resources that are an integral part of the cyberinfrastructure. SI2 is a long-term investment focused on catalyzing new thinking, paradigms, and practices in developing and using software to understand natural, human, and engineered systems. SI2's intent is to foster a pervasive cyberinfrastructure to help researchers address problems of unprecedented scale, complexity, resolution, and accuracy by integrating computation, data, networking, observations and experiments in novel ways. NSF expects that its SI2 investment will result in robust, reliable, usable and sustainable software infrastructure that is critical to achieving the CIF21 vision and will transform science and engineering while contributing to the education of next generation researchers and creators of future cyberinfrastructure. Education at all levels will play an important role in integrating such a dynamic cyberinfrastructure into the fabric of how science and engineering is performed. It is expected that SI2 will generate and nurture the interdisciplinary processes required to support the entire software lifecycle, and will successfully integrate software development and support with innovation and research. Furthermore, it will result in the development of sustainable software communities that transcend scientific and geographical boundaries. SI2 envisions vibrant partnerships among academia, government laboratories and industry, including international entities, for the development and stewardship of a sustainable software infrastructure that can enhance productivity and accelerate innovation in science and engineering. The goal of the SI2 program is to create a software ecosystem that includes all levels of the software stack and scales from individual or small groups of software innovators to large hubs of software excellence. The program addresses all aspects of cyberinfrastructure, from embedded sensor systems and instruments, to desktops and high-end data and computing systems, to major instruments and facilities. Furthermore, it recognizes that integrated education activities will play a key role in sustaining the cyberinfrastructure over time and in developing a workforce capable of fully realizing its potential in transforming science and engineering. The SI2 program includes three classes of awards: 1. Scientific Software Elements (SSE): SSE awards target small groups that will create and deploy robust software elements for which there is a demonstrated need that will advance one or more significant areas of science and engineering. 2. Scientific Software Integration (SSI): SSI awards target larger, interdisciplinary teams organized around the development and application of common software infrastructure aimed at solving common research problems. SSI awards will result in a sustainable community software framework serving a diverse community. 3. Scientific Software Innovation Institutes (S2I2): S2I2 awards will focus on the establishment of long-term hubs of excellence in software infrastructure and technologies, which will serve a research community of substantial size and disciplinary breadth. Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} This solicitation includes SSE and SSI awards only. S2I2 awards will be competed in a separate solicitation (currently http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf13511) Please refer to (i) A Vision and Strategy for Software for Science, Engineering, and Education (NSF 12-113) and (ii) Implementation of NSF Software Vision (http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504817) for further information about NSF's vision for software as part of cyberinfrastructure and the programs that support this vision.Prospective PIs should be aware that SI2 is a multi-directorate activity and that they are encouraged to submit proposals for software with broad, interdisciplinary interest. PIs are encouraged to refer to core program descriptions, Dear Colleague Letters, and recently posted initiatives on directorate and divisional home pages to gain insight as to the priorities for the relevant area(s) of science to which their proposal may be responsive. For example, the MPS and ENG directorates have particular interest in proposals related to matter by design. As not all units are participating at the same level, it is strongly recommended that prospective PIs contact a program officer from the list of Cognizant Program Officers in the division(s) closest to the major disciplinary impact of the proposed work to ascertain that the scientific focus and budget of the proposed work are appropriate for this solicitation.Please note that some NSF units have additional specific information about their participation in this program:Biological Sciences (BIO) is primarily interested in SSI proposals and those are the only class of proposal that will be considered via this solicitation. PIs wishing to submit Scientific Software Elements (SSE) level projects that focus on biological sciences must submit them to ABI (http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5444) for the August deadline.CISE is interested in supporting SSE and SSI proposals that advance software infrastructure to sustain progress in CISE research areas and that advance and adapt Software Engineering research to impact the software sustainability needs of other scientific disciplines.Engineering (ENG) is primarily interested in SSI proposals.Geosciences (GEO) is interested in mid-scale (SSI) software development projects that serve groups within the geosciences or that link the geosciences with other fields. Successful projects will demonstrate deep embeddedness with geoscience end-user groups and involve a strong and interactive collaboration between geo and cyber/computer scientists. Priority will be given to projects that serve large numbers of end-users in diverse fields. The ability to build on previous GEO and/or NSF investments in cyberinfrastructure will be considered a strength. Proposers of GEO-related projects are strongly encouraged to consult with the cognizant GEO Program Officer.Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS):The Division of Materials Research (MPS/DMR) is particularly interested in projects that develop software tools to enable and support research under the Materials Genome Initiative, such as Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future (DMREF; see NSF 11-089), and under Sustainable Chemistry, Engineering, and Materials (SusChEM; see NSF 12-097).The Chemistry Division (MPS/CHE) will not participate in funding projects in 2013, but will participate again starting in 2014.The Physics Division (MPS/PHY) will consider proposals that focus on innovative computational tools that enable advances in the division's research areas.The Division of Astronomical Sciences (MPS/AST) will consider proposals to support the development of sustainable software that will enable broad community progress on key questions in astronomy and astrophysics.The Division of Mathematical Sciences (MPS/DMS) would welcome proposals building computational tools that have broad application in mathematical sciences and related areas.MPS supports education and community development in CI, for example, through proposals that include visitor support (particularly for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers), postdoctoral opportunities, or short training courses that increase interactions of domain scientists and software and/or cyberinfrastructure specialists.

South Carolina Technical College System / ReadySC

ReadySC provides customized workforce training grants to new and expanding businesses in South Carolina, funding employee training programs developed in partnership with the state's technical college system to build a skilled workforce.

South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED)

Workforce Development grants support South Dakota employers and training providers in developing skilled workers through customized training programs, apprenticeships, and industry-specific skills development initiatives.

South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED)

Tribal Partnership grants support collaborative economic development projects between South Dakota tribal nations and surrounding communities, fostering economic opportunity, infrastructure development, and workforce training on and near reservations.

NCI - National Cancer Institute

Despite tremendous advances in cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment, many gaps remain, and cancer continues to be a chronic disease and the second leading cause of death in the US. To further advance the health and longevity of all Americans, it is of paramount importance to train the next generation of biomedical scientists by providing the high-quality research experiences and mentorship. Studies suggest that undergraduate research experiences can support trainee career development to pursue research careers.  The goal of this new R25 program, Stanford’s Cancer Research Education Program (SCREP) is to provide necessary research experiences to undergraduate trainees enabling them to persist in STEM fields by cultivating a scientific identity by building their confidence in their ability to succeed in cancer research setting.  SCREP will provide undergraduate trainees with the opportunity to actively engage in cancer relevant research within the stellar scientific and educational environment at Stanford University and the mentors from the Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI). The SCREP is a fully funded 10-week summer cancer research program, during which undergraduate trainees will work in cancer laboratories of the SCI and receive training in a wide range of cancer research concepts and techniques combined with curated programming that includes career and research seminars, skill building workshops and social events to complement the research components of the program. Trainees will be provided with a multi-layered supportive ecosystem where Mentors, Program Administrator and a Peer Mentor will provide individualized support. Another layer of support will be provided through leveraging existing Stanford University Resources and career enhancement partnership programs to ensure trainees continue their profession growth. This supportive ecosystem that SCREP provides is intended to help undergraduates trainees cultivate a scientific identity by building their confidence in their ability to succeed in cancer research setting. Together, SCREP will create research and career development opportunities for all undergraduates to explore, experience and pursue cancer research and careers in medicine. SCREP’s impact and effectiveness will be measured longitudinally by tracking trainees’ persistence in STEM, level of confidence in their abilities, and educational and career trajectories post program. The program ultimately supports the National Cancer Plan to develop future biomedical scientists in cancer research and clinical care workforce.

Employment and Social Development Canada

Helps key sectors of the economy implement solutions to address current and emerging workforce needs through training, job matching, and skills development.

U.S. National Science Foundation

The overarching goal of this solicitation is to democratize access to NSF s advanced cyberinfrastructure (CI) ecosystem and ensure fair and equitable access to resources, services, and expertise by strengthening how Cyberinfrastructure Professionals (CIP) function in this ecosystem. It aims to achieve this by (1) deepening the integration of CIPs into the research enterprise, and (2) fostering innovative and scalable education, training, and development of instructional materials, to address emerging needs and unresolved bottlenecks in CIP workforce development. Specifically, this solicitation seeks to nurture, grow and recognize the national CIP[1] workforce that is essential forcreating, utilizing andsupportingadvanced CI to enable and potentially transform fundamental science and engineering (S&E) research and education and contribute to the Nation's overall economic competitiveness and security. Together, the principal investigators (PIs), technology platforms, tools, and expert CIP workforce supported by this solicitation operate as an interdependent ecosystem wherein S&E research and education thrive. This solicitation willsupport NSF s advanced CI ecosystem with a scalable, agile, and sustainable network of CIPs that can ensurebroad adoptionof advanced CI resources and expert services including platforms, tools, methods, software, data, and networks for research communities, to catalyze major research advances, and to enhance researchers' abilities to lead the development of new CI. The SCIPE program is led by the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) in the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) and has participation from other NSF directorates/divisions, as described in Section II. Program Description,Programmatic Areas of Interest. Not all directorates/divisions are participating at the same level, and some have specific research and education priorities. The appropriate contact for the SCIPE program in any directorate/division is the Cognizant Program Officer (PO) for the respective directorate/division/office/program listed below. All projects are expected to clearly articulate how they address essential community needs, will provide resources that will be widely available to and usable by the research community.Prospective PIs arestrongly encouragedto contact the Cognizant Program Officers in CISE/OACandin the participating directorate/division relevant to the proposal to ascertain whether the focus and budget of their proposed activities are appropriate for this solicitation.Such consultations should be completed at least one month before the submission deadline. PIs should include the names of the Cognizant Program Officers consulted in a Single Copy Document as described in Section V.A. Proposal Preparation Instructions. The intent of the SCIPE program is to encourage collaboration between CI and S&E domain disciplines. (For this purpose, units of CISE other than OAC are considered domain disciplines.) To ensure relevance to community needs and to facilitate adoption, those proposals of interest to one or more domain divisionsmustinclude at least one PI/co-PI with expertise relevant to the targeted research discipline. All proposals shall include at least one PI/co-PI with expertise pertinent to OAC. Prospective PIs contemplating submissions that primarily target communities relevant to directorates/divisions that are not participating in this solicitation are directed to explore instead the education and workforce development programs of the respective directorates/divisions. [1] 9CI Professionals refers to the community of individuals who provide a broad spectrum of skills and expertise to the scientific and engineering research enterprise by inventing, developing, deploying and/or supporting research CI and CI users. Examples of CI Professionals include CI system administrators, CI research support staff, CI research software engineers, data curators, and CI facilitators, and may also include computational research scientists and engineers who are not in traditional academic paths.See:Transforming Science Through Cyberinfrastructure: NSF s Blueprint forCyberinfrastructure Learning and Workforce Development,https://www.nsf.gov/cise/oac/vision/blueprint-2019/CI-LWD.pdf.

Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit a statement of interest (SOI) for innovative foreign assistance programs benefiting partner countries that also advance U.S. commercial diplomacy and put American interests first. SOI must demonstrate how projects will leverage foreign assistance for U.S. partners as a tool of statecraft to advance U.S. economic, security, and diplomatic objectives. Programming should promote trade, not aid, by leveraging assistance resources to champion American enterprise and infrastructure and catalyze private capital through market principles. SOI may address foreign assistance programs for partner countries in sectors including: energy, digital connectivity, emerging technologies (particularly AI and telecommunications), 5G infrastructure, agriculture, regional economic integration, advanced manufacturing, workforce training aligned with U.S. business needs, transitional justice, and economic recovery in conflict-affected areas. Projects should orient implementing partners toward the American business community, and foster burden-sharing. Review country-specific guidance in the sections below and tailor your SOI to address identified priorities. NEA/AC may decide to grant multiple awards, one award, or no awards, subject to funding availability and proposal viability.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Abstract There is a recognized need for an increased number of trainees to enter the physician scientist workforce. To address this need, we developed a physician scientist training program that matriculated the first class in 2011 and is now mature with a track record of successful graduation of trainees into research residencies and other training programs that are designed to increase their skills as physician scientists. Seventy percent of our trainees graduate in 7 years. Our mission is to train rigorous, creative, and ethical physician scientists by providing an educational program that integrates MD and PhD training and focuses on examining the scientific basis of medical practice to identify unmet needs and opportunities for improving human health. We have developed a curriculum that has numerous MD-PhD specific courses and has a heavy emphasis on rigor and reproducibility and responsible conduct of research including laboratory safety. We have an extensive series on career opportunities so that trainees are aware of the many professional niches that profit from the expertise of trained physician scientists. Trainees to date have moved into highly competitive residencies including half who have moved into research residencies or physician scientist training pathways (PSTPs). We currently matriculate 4 students each year and hope to increase the size of the program to 6 students a year.

Theatre Communications Group

Grants for theaters developing future leaders and diversifying their workforce through residencies and training.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD)

The FastTrack Economic Development Fund provides discretionary grants to businesses creating jobs in Tennessee, supporting capital investment, infrastructure development, and workforce training tied to new or expanding business operations.

Texas Workforce Commission

The Skills Development Fund provides grants to public community and technical colleges to design job-specific training programs for businesses and industries.

Texas Workforce Commission

Texas Workforce Commission administers workforce development grants funding job training, apprenticeships, incumbent worker training, and employer-based training programs in TX.

NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse

Project Summary/Abstract: Our community-engaged study will test whether a brief prescribing support program, paired with mentorship from peer health care professionals can expand access to buprenorphine in rural communities and improve clinical outcomes in people with opioid use disorder (OUD). Despite its efficacy, buprenorphine is vastly underused in rural settings and is not often prescribed because of stigma towards the medication, lack of training, and limited opportunities for peer mentorship. Primary care professionals (PCPs) are an ideal group to increase buprenorphine availability. Primary care is a less stigmatizing care setting, and PCPs can also provide other needed medical care as well as infectious disease screening. We co-created the Buprenorphine Prescribing Support Program (BPSP) with rural PCPs in Ohio and determined feasibility in a pilot clinical trial of 29 Federally Qualified Health Centers. The BPSP pairs clinical training on buprenorphine with stigma reduction to increase confidence prescribing the medication. PCPs completing the program also receive long-term prescribing support since mentorship is limited in small, rural primary care clinics. Although we found encouraging trends in our feasibility trial, the pilot was not powered to detect changes in adoption. The BPSP needs tested in a fully powered, hybrid type 3 cluster randomized implementation effectiveness trial to determine if the program improves implementation as well as clinical outcomes for people with OUD. We have 3 aims: 1) Implementation: we will assess the impact of the BPSP on buprenorphine adoption and reach in a cluster randomized hybrid type 3 implementation effectiveness trial in 40 rural primary care clinics in Ohio and West Virginia; 2) Clinical Effectiveness: We will determine the long-term impact of the BPSP on clinical outcomes, including patient retention in care, remission from opioid use; and infectious disease status; and 3) Determinants of Implementation, Scale-up, and Sustainment: Using in-depth interviews with PCPs, staff, and clinic leadership, we will explore BPSP implementation barriers and facilitators, identify any future tailoring needs, and select appropriate strategies for scale up and dissemination beyond rural Ohio and West Virginia. By integrating tailored prescribing support within rural primary care to build the buprenorphine prescriber workforce and expand access to medication that can reduce overdose, our study directly aligns with the objectives outlined in RFA-DA-25-077 to end the overdose crisis and the associated NOSI (NOT-DA-23- 008) to build the addiction care workforce. Our study will advance both implementation and intervention science. The inclusion of large and small rural clinics in two states will ensure the findings are applicable to primary care clinics that serve rural areas nationwide. The BPSP has the potential to be a low-cost, sustainable, and scalable program that will improve buprenorphine access in rural communities.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

The Chickasaw Nation (CN) established the Chickasaw Nation Research Review Board (CN RRB) through an executive order by Governor Bill Anoatubby in 1998. In 2004, the CN RRB became registered as the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health Institutional Review Board (CNDH IRB). Since this time the CNDH IRB has been fully operational but has not yet received designated financial support from CNDH. The CNDH is currently in a partnership with the Indian Health Service's (IHS) joint venture program to expand health services into the northwest area of the Chickasaw Nation's treaty territory. There are future plans to expand the Division of Research and Public Health (DRPH), which currently manages the CNDH IRB, at the new health care campus. This funding will help to enhance the operations of the existing CNDH IRB and aid in health care expansion, which is predicted to bring in more research partnerships and opportunities. The CNDH will assess their existing systems and processes, identify opportunities to streamline current operations and increase the timeliness of IRB decisions. CNDH IRB staff and members have had limited training opportunities due to lack of funding. The creation of a workforce development plan and access to training or conferences will increase staff knowledge, thereby increasing timeliness and accuracy of IRB decisions. Since the health care expansion is projected to increase research opportunities, the CNDH IRB staff plans to develop a sustainability plan that could cover expenses associated with IRB operations, including designated staff salary allocations, obtaining/maintaining IRB software, obtaining/maintaining CITI training accounts, attending IRB related conferences, etc. Researching and piloting an IRB revenue model could help ensure the sustainability of the CNDH IRB after the conclusion of the grant award, and a Tribal IRB Manual will allow the CNDH IRB to assist other First American tribes in the development of their IRBs. The CN proposes the following Specific Aims (SA): SA1. Assessment and Implementation. Using the OHRP Quality Assurance Self-Assessment tool, conduct an assessment of the CNDH IRB operational processes. Based upon the results of the assessment, develop a plan to address any areas in need of improvement and analyze using the Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) method. SA2. Effectiveness. Determine the impact of a workforce development plan. SA3. Feasibility. Identify and pilot a fee structure revenue model that could support the sustainability of the CNDH IRB. SA4: Development and Dissemination: Create a Tribal IRB Manual to assist and mentor other First American tribes.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

PROJECT SUMMARY (Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Genetics of Development and Disease): This proposal outlines Genetics of Development and Disease (GDD), a focused, inter-departmental PhD training program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC). Our mission is to train, mentor, and support young scientists in the use of genetic approaches to address modern challenges in biomedical research. Modern genetics has revolutionized biomedical research, pointing to an urgent need for genetics expertise in the future biomedical workforce. The GDD training plan brings together eminent investigators across the CUIMC campus who apply cutting-edge genetic methodologies to tackle a broad spectrum of biological questions, with a strong commitment to mentorship, innovation, reproducibility, and rigor. In the last two years, CUIMC’s previously isolated and siloed biomedical PhD programs have been unified into the new Vagelos Institute for Biomedical Research and Education (VIBRE) PhD Pathway Program. Where previously students applied to and were granted admission to a specialized program in which they remain for their graduate career, going forward all first-year students will be VIBRE-supported students in the unified program. All first-year VIBRE students will now take a broad, rigorous curriculum together and then, at the end of their first year, select a lab and training program. The GDD training program is therefore essential to support specialized training in genetics and fills a unique niche in the CUIMC training landscape. With the support of this training grant, the GDD program will provide: a) a cohesive, rigorous curriculum offering advanced training in genetic analysis across classic model organisms and mammalian systems, including humans, integrating modern genetic and genomic methodologies, biostatistics, the historical evolution of genetic research, and the ethical dimensions of contemporary genetics; b) skills-based career development opportunities, including annual elective nano-courses on scientific writing and communication, opportunities to explore non-academic research and research-adjacent careers, and individualized career development support; and c) dedicated mentorship throughout their scientific training to students of different backgrounds whose research interests align with our program mission. The outstanding training environment is further supported by an administrative infrastructure that ensures close monitoring of the program's effectiveness through quantifiable metrics, such as student progress, quality of mentoring, and training outcomes. There is enormous institutional support for this program, ranging from funds for student, faculty, and administrative support, curricular support, dedicated office space for administrators, a dedicated VIBRE student lounge, mentorship training and career development resources. The long-term goal of the GDD program is to maximize each trainee's potential and support their development into leaders in the biomedical research workforce, regardless of their specific career paths in academia or industry.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

The Institute for Biomolecular Targeting (bioMT) infuses mechanistic investigations with a sophisticated awareness of therapeutic potential and engages translational approaches to complex diseases such as cancer and infection. In Phases I and II, our first three cohorts of research project leaders (RPL) have all received R01- equivalent funding or major venture investments, and our newest cohort is on track for similar success. Our cores provide unique protein biochemistry resources and ‘navigators’ to access microscopes campus-wide. Our core training sessions and our research seminars create a dynamic community. In Phase II, we have developed comprehensive charge-back structures and advanced educational programs. Phase III COBRE and institutional programmatic funds will enable us to deploy these new funding sources effectively over the coming five years. Phase III funding will also allow us to continue to expand the bioMT research community and launch new and collaborative research initiatives. Aim 1 is to maintain our commitment to research excellence and to refresh our intellectual community and ensure a strong foundation of investigator-initiated awards through targeted faculty development funds and new pilot projects aligned with the bioMT mission. Dartmouth recently identified our domain as a strategic priority for institutional investment, and we expect to once again exceed our target of one co-recruitment per year in Phase III. Pilot funds enable faculty to parlay emerging high-risk/high-reward research directions into long-term extramurally funded programs, and we will maintain career mentoring for our graduated RPLs and for newly hired junior faculty through promotion. Our Administrative Core will also continue to nurture a vibrant, curious, and interconnected research community. Aim 2 proposes to enhance our state-of-the-art core facilities, which will continue to serve a large group of bioMT investigators. All member laboratories will continue to benefit from our high-quality, responsive research cores. New equipment grants and additional training of core staff will continue in areas of critical need identified by our advisory councils. Core staff will continue to provide expert training. Aim 3 will focus on implementation of a multi-pronged, resilient strategy for the continued availability of core resources after the end of COBRE funding. Having developed comprehensive cost-recovery mechanisms, we will implement them step wise to enable faculty to budget accordingly, while covering a growing share of costs. We will also launch learner-centered workforce development programs that have been extensively prepared during Phase II. These programs will leverage core resources and hire dedicated staff to equip trainees for industry or PhD placements. bioMT-coordinated internships will lead them to high-value jobs, while building lasting partnerships with local and regional biotechnology partners and offsetting core costs. Taken together, these aims will expand and elevate our scholarly impact and provide financial resources to establish bioMT as a nationally visible academic enterprise central to the intellectual landscape at Dartmouth.

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

PROJECT SUMMARY The National Summer Undergraduate Research Project (NSURP) was created as an eight-week virtual summer research program in the microbial sciences that matches underrepresented minorities in STEM undergraduate students nationwide with faculty mentors worldwide to address the barriers presented by COVID-19 cancelations. NSURP mentees conduct research from any location with an internet connection, allowing students to learn how to conduct impactful research by forming and testing hypotheses. As individuals returned to in-person programs, NSURP found a population unable to travel, independent of COVID-19, due to financial, familial, geography, and health constraints. As we see an increased demand from these individuals, post-pandemic, who can’t travel to in-person opportunities, we seek to expand our ability to serve these undergraduates with research opportunities in our program and provide them with year-long mentoring and professional development. NSURP seeks to apply its virtual research model to human health-related topics, such as the basic and applied disease research conducted within the purview of the NIAID, both in microbiology and immunology. Implementing NSURP within the NIAID infrastructure will create more opportunities for URM scientists and ultimately aid in developing a diverse biomedical research workforce. The central premise of NSURP is to meet undergraduates where they are, facilitate exposure and pursuit of a scientific opportunity, and give them the tools and confidence to continue in their scientific careers. To maximize the contribution of NSURP within the NIAID mission, we will 1) provide virtual biomedical-specific summer research opportunities within the NIAID mission for minoritized undergraduates, 2) facilitate synergistic virtual scientific and career multi-level mentoring relationships, and 3) assess program impact by evaluating educational outcomes of NSURP participants and conducting longitudinal studies on the effects of culturally-responsive virtual mentorship training.

NINR - National Institute of Nursing Research

Project Summary Advancements in cancer treatment are enabling breast cancer survivors to live longer, highlighting the need for more research on their ongoing needs after chemotherapy. By 2030, there are expected to be 4.9 million breast cancer survivors in the United States (US). Black women, in particular, face significant differences in breast cancer outcomes compared to other racial and ethnic groups. For example, Black women are frequently diagnosed at later stages, are twice as likely to develop aggressive cancers such as triple-negative breast cancer, which necessitates chemotherapy treatment, and have a 40% higher mortality rate compared to White women. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), can be a debilitating side effect following treatment among breast cancer survivors. CIPN symptoms, including numbness, pain, and balance issues, can impede activities of daily living, substantially lower the quality of life, and lead to psychological distress and social isolation among patients. Limited research exists on CIPN presentations among Black breast cancer survivors. Understanding CIPN's impact on treatment decisions and quality of life for Black patients is important to ultimately reducing symptom burden and improving outcomes among survivors. Data on CIPN symptoms, severity, and treatment outcomes are needed to inform clinical interventions and improve patient care. To examine the impact of CIPN on Black breast cancer survivors, this proposed cross-sectional survey study aims to determine CIPN characteristics and severity among N=125 early-stage (stage I-III) Black breast cancer survivors following chemotherapy at a large urban academic medical center in the Southeastern US. Aim 1 will identify CIPN symptoms and severity using patient-reported outcome measures. Aim 2 will examine associations between CIPN severity and physiological, psychological, and social factors. Aim 3 will characterize the occurrence in treatment outcomes, such as chemotherapy dose reductions, dose delays, and treatment discontinuations. This study will illuminate CIPN's impact among Black breast cancer survivors, informing the design of future longitudinal research and interventions to reduce CIPN's impact and improve treatment outcomes. During the conduct of this fellowship, the applicant will pursue a rigorous training plan, under the supervision of an interdisciplinary team of mentors, to cultivate the skills needed to become and independent researcher. This study will provide the initial data to develop a longitudinal cohort of Black breast cancer survivors experiencing CIPN. The proposed fellowship aligns with the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Nursing Research’s strategic plans to train the next generation of cancer researchers and strengthen the cancer workforce while reducing symptom burden and optimizing care outcomes among breast cancer survivors.

FIC - John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences

This project addresses persistent gaps in access to expert diagnosis and management of skin diseases by integrating thermography and artificial intelligence (AI) into scalable, field-adapted solutions. Skin diseases affect more than 1.8 billion people globally, and in the United States, 1 in 5 individuals seek treatment annually. Despite this burden, access to dermatologic expertise remains limited in many rural, medically underserved, and underserved urban communities, where specialist shortages, prolonged wait times, and long travel distances delay care and contribute to preventable disease progression and chronic morbidity. To address these challenges, this project will develop and implement a multi-sensor remote diagnostic platform designed to improve early triage, diagnostic accuracy, and assessment of disease progression, with direct relevance to expanding timely dermatologic care in underserved U.S. communities. This study will be conducted in rural Côte d’Ivoire due to the high endemicity and co-endemicity of clinically distinct skin diseases not available at comparable scale in the United States. This epidemiologic setting provides a scientifically and ethically compelling environment to develop, train, and validate AI-enabled diagnostic tools across diverse skin disease presentations directly relevant to U.S. conditions, including inflammatory diseases, infections, and chronic wounds. The concentration and diversity of cases will enable robust algorithm development and validation within a shorter timeframe and with greater clinical variability than feasible in a single U.S. population. In addition, conducting this work in Côte d’Ivoire allows rigorous testing of diagnostic performance and implementation strategies under challenging conditions—including limited connectivity, workforce shortages, and resource constraints—that increasingly characterize healthcare delivery in medically underserved regions of the United States. During the R21 phase, to be conducted at Tulane University, we will collect multi-sensor data, develop and validate algorithms drawing upon existing collaborations and datasets, and employ a two-level masking approach to generate AI algorithms capable of improved diagnostic performance. In the subsequent R33 phase, we will develop a user-friendly, smartphone-based multi-sensor data platform and field-test our approach in more challenging settings in Côte d'Ivoire. We will gather large-scale image datasets, evaluate performance and user acceptability, and iteratively refine on-device AI algorithms. By integrating thermography and AI technology into an accessible mobile platform, this project aims to bridge diagnostic access gaps in low-resource environments while informing scalable solutions with direct relevance to improving dermatologic care in rural and underserved regions of the United States and broader global application. Rigorous evaluation and validation will position this technology for wide adoption and sustained impact.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

We seek funding to acquire a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) with Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) capabilities via selective sampling for GC-MS, to advance materials research and STEM education at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP). Currently, UNCP lacks a TGA system, limiting capacity for advanced thermal analysis, reducing research productivity, and requiring reliance on external collaborations that introduce cost and delays. UNCP is a primarily undergraduate institution serving a large student population in a resource-limited region. The proposed instrument will directly support three faculty-led research initiatives—including projects led by early-career investigators—focused on biomass pyrolysis, plastics recycling, and the development of polymeric adsorbents for environmental remediation. The TGA-EGA system will enable precise measurements of decomposition temperatures, small molecule desorption profiles, and trace impurities, which are essential for characterizing complex materials. The instrument will also be integrated into upper-level chemistry courses, including organic, analytical, instrumental, and physical chemistry, providing hands-on training in thermal analysis and macromolecular characterization. These experiences will enhance preparation for careers in STEM and graduate study, strengthening the scientific workforce. The TGA-EGA will be housed in a shared research facility with broad access across departments, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and student-faculty research. Its acquisition aligns with institutional goals to expand research infrastructure and increase access to advanced instrumentation.

NINR - National Institute of Nursing Research

ABSTRACT Persons with serious illness suffer from poor symptom control, decreased quality of life (QoL) and poor communication with their healthcare providers, especially in terms of goals of care discussions (GOCD). Palliative care, when offered alongside disease management, offers improved symptom control, QoL, communication, caregiver satisfaction and reduced caregiver anxiety. Due to a limited specialty-trained palliative care workforce, however, patients and their caregivers often cannot access these benefits, especially in the community. These needs are particularly acute in advanced cancer and HF, the two leading causes of death in the US which also model the most common illness trajectories. The dynamic nature of these illnesses presents distinct symptom patterns and changing functional state that require an adaptive, dynamic model of palliative care delivery. Yet, workforce shortages prevent scaling of existing community-based specialty palliative care models. To meet patient/caregiver dyads' needs with a limited workforce, new models that deploy palliative care clinicians based on patient's illness trajectory and changing needs are required. The innovative TIER-PALLIATIVE CARE (TIER-PC) model provides the right level of care to the right patients at the right time. TIER-PC increases the number and intensity of specialty trained palliative care disciplines added to the dyad's care team as their symptoms worsen and function declines. In Tier 1, patients who can care for themselves and have easily managed symptoms, receive support from a community health worker (CHW) trained to elicit illness understanding in a culturally competent way. In Tier 2, for patients with poorer function and mild symptoms, a social worker (SW), trained in serious illness communication, joins the CHW to further elicit patients' illness understanding and goals, and provide caregiver support. In Tier 3, as function decreases and symptoms increase, an advance practice nurse (APN) joins the CHW+SW to manage complex symptoms. In Tier 4, for those patients with the poorest function and worst symptoms, an MD joins to address the most complex needs (e.g., end-of-life treatment preferences and multifaceted symptom control). The CHW follows dyads longitudinally across all tiers and re-allocates them to the appropriate tier based on their evolving needs. We will evaluate TIER-PC's efficacy in a multi-site, single blinded, two arm, randomized controlled trial. Patients with advanced cancer or HF will receive regular assessments by the TIER-PC team to: address symptom and psychosocial needs; improve illness/prognostic understanding; prescribe medications; and address goals of care. We will enroll and randomize 400 patients with HF or cancer and their family caregivers to receive TIER- PC or an augmented control. We will follow dyads for 12 months to determine if TIER-PC: improves patients' symptom control and QoL (primary outcomes), patient-reported GOCDs and caregiver satisfaction; reduces caregiver anxiety and post-traumatic stress; and decreases patients' healthcare utilization and cost. By matching demand to the scarce workforce, our scalable model can improve care for patients with cancer or HF.