# OHDRC Investigator Development Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2021 · $240,308

## Abstract

The Investigator Development Core (IDC) of the UAB Obesity Health Disparities Research Center (OHDRC) will
identify early stage investigators who have innovative ideas and provide them with pilot funding and mentoring
so that they can compete successfully for extramural funding in order to launch independent research programs.
The purpose of the IDC is to provide direct financial and scientific support (e.g., biostatistics, study design,
scientific writing) for pilot research and, through mentoring, help recipients obtain education to enhance their
long-term success as independent obesity health disparities investigators. The objectives of the IDC Pilot
Program are twofold: 1) to facilitate emerging research areas, explore new methodologies or approaches for
basic and/or applied research, and facilitate transdisciplinary research among participants; and 2) to mentor
early-stage investigators and help them obtain independent funding, thus developing a critical mass of promising
junior investigators from multiple disciplines with expertise in the field of obesity-related health disparities.
Specifically, this program will support pilot research studies that are novel and that will generate data to make
early stage investigators competitive for NIH or other extramural funding. Also, we will make extra effort to
enhance the diversity of the pilot applicant pool. Our overall goals will be achieved through the following specific
aims:1) Identify and fund one-year proposals for innovative research in the field of obesity-related health
disparities across the life course; 2) Increase the critical mass of independent investigators in obesity-related
health disparities research by providing formal mentoring and career enhancement opportunities for early stage
investigators; and 3) Evaluate the progress of individual pilot projects and the cumulative success of the OHDRC
Pilot Program. The structure and methods of the OHDRC Pilot Program are modeled after highly successful
programs of our previous NIMHD COE P60 and the U 54 Mid-South TCC (Fouad, PI), as well as the current and
previous cycles of our P30 NIDDK funded Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC). These past and current
experiences will ensure our continued success in developing the pipeline for competitive independent
investigators in the area of obesity and health disparities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10161621
- **Project number:** 5U54MD000502-19
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** STEPHEN BARNES
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $240,308
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2003-09-22 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10161621

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10161621, OHDRC Investigator Development Core (5U54MD000502-19). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10161621. Licensed CC0.

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