The following describes the sequence of courses over the first year, with ongoing workshops, mock reviews, and writing retreats throughout the 3-year program.
This is based on the UF-FSU's CTSA Clinical Research course, the FSU K Scholars Biobehavioral Translational Science course, CTSA R Bootcamp, and Dr. Wong's course on extramural research at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. The first semester addresses bio-behavioral research skills with didactic and experiential components covering innovative methods and designs for early phase trials, data capture and data management, clinical trial design, mixed methods studies, and implementation science models and methods. Faculty with limited clinical research experience can take the CTSA's online, self-paced Introduction to Clinical Research before beginning the course. The second semester will address (i) an overview of NIH (and brief overview of the National Science Foundation and other relevant funding agencies) including terms and abbreviations, review process, funding process; (ii) conducting efficient and effective pilot projects; and (iii) writing a successful R01 with successive writing and review of specific aims and strategy while considering health equity, funding constraints, and community engagement. Guest speakers include a Scientific Program Officer overseeing a training portfolio to present research priorities in the home institute and senior faculty sharing experiences of summary statements and paths to obtaining an R01. Dr. Keel has served as study section chair for NIMH and will share her experience of the review process. Mini mock review panels will review planned pilot studies and R01 aims. (Year 1, Semesters 1 and 2).
Drs. Naar, Millender, and Wong, as well as Barile have extensive experience and expertise conducting community-engaged or community participatory based research. Depending on the experience of the faculty, we will develop two practical workshops addressing theories and models of community engagement, best practices for meaningful engagement, recruitment and retention, a practical, step-by-step guide to building community engagement from scratch, and existing community engagement opportunities at FSU. Addressing racism and stigma in the community is also addressed. (Year 1, Semester 1).
The Office of Research Compliance in collaboration with the Office of Research Development, the Graduate School, the College of Medicine, and the Office of Human Subjects Protection offer multiple opportunities for training in the responsible conduct of research. The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online coursework will be completed immediately after hire. The Office of Research Compliance's Responsible Conduct of Research course complies with NIH expectations and is a 5-week series of online interactive sessions providing eight hours of instruction and discussion. (Year 1, Semester 2).
FSU offers an online series designed to build the knowledge base for effective team science. Scholars will gain understanding of team-based research and identify ways to improve how scientists interact and integrate across disciplinary, professional, and institutional boundaries. Seven modules are available for self-study and can be completed in any order: Introduction to Team Science, Navigating Networks, Building Research Teams, Nurturing Partnerships, Managing Research Teams, Conflict Resolution and Credit and Sharing. (Year 1, Semester 2).
Monthly workshops in Years 2 and 3 will address topics such as project management, lab management, budgeting, academic advancing, balancing teaching research and service, work life balance and self-care, and optimizing your CV, with additional content dictated by the FIRST Faculty community of practice and the advisory groups. Note that we have opted not to have a separate course or workshop on diversity and inclusion. Rather, we believe it is more respectful and collaborative to utilize the communities of practice framework to guide what FIRST faculty want and need in this domain.
