Author: Sydella Blatch Alexander

As a physiologist and former professor at a primarily undergraduate institution, Sydella administers programs that include diversity-focused institutional training awards, research on interventions, and improving sponsored programs capacity.

Posts by Sydella Blatch Alexander

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New Bridges to the Doctorate Funding Opportunity and Upcoming Webinar

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We’re pleased to announce that the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the Bridges to the Doctorate (B2D) program has been reissued (PAR-24-232). This NOFO aims to promote broad participation in the biomedical research workforce by strengthening research training environments and expanding the pool of well-trained master’s students who transition into and complete biomedical Ph.D.s. NIGMS expects organizations to engage in outreach and recruitment activities to encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to participate in this program.

First application due date: September 27, 2024
Earliest start date: August 2025

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New NIGMS Resource: Trainee Feedback Form

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We’re pleased to announce the creation of an online form for trainees to share feedback on NIGMS research education, training, and career development programs. We value this input as NIGMS refines its existing programs and develops new opportunities to meet emerging needs in biomedical research training.

The form, which can be completed anonymously, allows trainees to submit constructive comments—for example, to suggest program improvements or to recognize an outstanding program for its training and mentorship activities. NIGMS welcomes submissions from trainees across all educational and career stages.

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How Do I Craft a Strong Application? 

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This post is part of a series outlining NIGMS research priorities, funding opportunities, and the grant application process. You can read more posts in this series and sign up to receive all future posts delivered straight to your inbox.

You’ve determined that you’re conducting research related to the NIGMS mission and have found a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) you’d like to apply to. Now it’s time to craft your application.

There are many resources providing guidance on what to include in an NIH funding application. We recommend reviewing our grant writing webinar series, which discusses faculty readiness and submission considerations, as well as determining whether a funding opportunity is right for you and writing a competitive application. NIH’s Write Your Application webpage also includes valuable guidance.

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New G-RISE and IMSD Funding Opportunities and Upcoming Webinar

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UPDATE: The video and slides [PDF] from this webinar are now available.

We’re pleased to announce that the notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) for the Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (G-RISE; PAR-24-032) and Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD; PAR-24-031) programs have been reissued. These NOFOs aim to strengthen research training environments and promote broader participation in the biomedical research workforce by expanding the pool of well-trained scientists earning a Ph.D., for example, encouraging the inclusion of individuals from underrepresented groups (see Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity).

The new NOFOs have some changes from previous versions:

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Which Grant Is Right for Me?

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We’re pleased to announce the launch of the new web resource, Which Research Grant Is Right for Me? This interactive decision tree will be particularly useful for investigators who are new to or less familiar with NIGMS notices of funding opportunities that support research. Through a series of yes/no questions, potential applicants can identify the best potential fit to one or more of the major research project grant types we support, including R35, R16, R15, and R01.

The questions work through the eligibility criteria for the different award types. For example:

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Virtual Meeting for IMSD and G-RISE Program Applicants

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We’re pleased to announce a virtual “office hour” for people interested in applying for our Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) and Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (G-RISE) programs. The next application due date for both programs is January 30, 2023.

These research training programs share the goal of developing a diverse pool of scientists earning a biomedical Ph.D., but have different institutional eligibility based on NIH research project grant (RPG) support. IMSD eligibility is limited to research-intensive institutions (i.e., those with an average of funding greater than or equal to $7.5 million total costs over the last 3 fiscal years) while G-RISE eligibility is limited to research-active institutions (i.e., those with an average of NIH RPG funding less than $7.5 million total costs over the last 3 fiscal years). 

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Grant Writing Webinar Series for Institutions Building Research and Research Training Capacity

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Join us for a three-part webinar series designed for faculty and sponsored programs/research development personnel at institutions building research and research training capacity. During the webinars, we’ll share our suggestions for navigating the process of seeking NIH funding. You’ll also learn considerations for determining research idea and grant writing readiness, selecting opportunities to apply for, and effectively writing your grant application and seeking appropriate feedback. 

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Research on Interventions R01 Funding Opportunity and Upcoming Webinar

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UPDATE: The slides [PDF] and video for this webinar are now available.

In line with a key mission area of NIGMS—ensuring the vitality and continued productivity of the biomedical research enterprise—we support the Research on Interventions that Promote the Careers of Individuals in the Biomedical Research Enterprise funding opportunity (R01) (PAR-21-269). The program encourages studies on interventions for enhancing research-oriented individuals’ interest, motivation, persistence, and preparedness for careers in the biomedical research workforce.

Program proposals must test an intervention’s effectiveness to increase success in the biomedical research workforce by using robust experimental designs, such as randomized control trial approaches, case controls, or matched pair design. Potential intervention focus areas include, but are not limited to, networking and mentoring, institutional climate, persistence and success of individuals/groups underrepresented in the research enterprise, harassment, and structural racism and discrimination. 

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Request for Information: Initiatives That Improve Research Training, Career Progression, or the Educational Environment in the Biomedical Research Enterprise

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NIGMS supports individuals and institutions that foster research training and a strong and diverse biomedical research workforce through a variety of programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels. We’re seeking input from trainees (undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral scientists), biomedical faculty, and research education program participants (e.g., postbaccalaureates), on initiatives that can help us improve research training, career progression, or the educational environment. NIGMS is especially interested in hearing about trainee-initiated activities—particularly from the trainees themselves—in NIGMS-funded training programs, including U-RISE, MARC, BUILD, PREP, G-RISE, IMSD, Bridges to the Baccalaureate, Bridges to the Doctorate, IRACDA, MOSAIC, basic biomedical T32, and MSTP.

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Webinar for U-RISE and MARC Training Program (T34) Applicants

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UPDATE: The video and slides [PDF] for this webinar are now available.

Are you preparing a grant application for the Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) or the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) T34 training programs? If so, please join our webinar to learn about the programs and application components. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask us questions:

Wednesday, April 6, 1:30-3:00 p.m. ET

During the webinar, we’ll provide a broad overview of the programs, and share our expectations for applications and the required data tables for the upcoming May 26, 2022, receipt date. We’ll also reiterate compliance information to help you avoid issues that could lead to application withdrawal.

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