The director of the center responsible for the assigned URM faculty, the sponsor, in coordination with the identified internal and external mentors, facilitates the creation of a 3-year "Individualized Career Development Plan," with quantifiable benchmarks and milestones within the first three months of hire. It is anticipated that areas covered in this plan will include examples like application for internal and external grants to support pilot study research to prepare for a R-series proposal, additional scientific dissemination of results from pilot study (in the form of at least 1 manuscript), and collaborative research with the respective internal and external mentor which might result in publications and/or extramural research applications. A specific timeline for R01 submission after two years of course work described below including adequate pilot data, adequate publications, formation of the team, specific aims, and strategy will be developed early in the creation of this plan. Generally, specific aims should be completed in Year 1 (Year 2 of the project period) to guide pilot projects. The scientific plan integrating pilot study findings should be completed by the end of the year with the goal of R01 submission in Year 3 (Year 4 of the project period). Plans are reviewed and revised every 6 months throughout the project, and this process will continue throughout the faculty's career.
The FLORIDA-FIRST BRIGADE Leadership team identifies a list of their federal colleagues from DHHS agencies (with a focus on NIH and CDC) to create a funder series. We invite at least two per year for a 2-day visit (in person or virtual) to present their agency's funding priorities as well as to have individual meetings with the FIRST Cohort and other faculty on campus.
The FIRST Cohort includes a 3-year timeline of professional development activities that may be funded from their start-ups or budgeted conference support. Examples include NIH summer institutes, online courses, and pre-conference workshops.
With consultation from Dr. Millender, the FIRST Cohort will develop a framework and set of guidelines with metrics regarding the operation of their writing support group. A scientific writer and Dr. Millender will organize a local 2-day retreat twice annually that utilizes Singh's writing retreat model adapted for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Prior to each NIH standard submission cycle, the team organizes a mock review panel made up of internal and external mentors who are not the submitting faculty's mentor but have expertise in their research cluster. If there are no submissions for that cycle, the time will be spent reviewing summary statements of faculty grants and planning responses. If faculty do not have a summary statement to share, a mentor summary statement may be discussed instead.
