# Investigator Development Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $627,961

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Despite research showing that diversity improves creativity, decision making, and scientific outcomes, people
from racially/ethnically minoritized communities or disadvantaged backgrounds are significantly
underrepresented in the sciences and health professions, with greater disparities at each higher academic
level. Grounded in a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) framework, the Southwest Health Equity
Research Collaborative (SHERC) at Northern Arizona University (NAU) aims to enhance the institutional and
regional capacity to conduct health equity research. The overall goal of the Investigator Development Core
(IDC) is to support the development of early-stage investigators (ESIs) and underrepresented (UR) faculty
in biomedical, clinical, and behavioral sciences. This goal will be met through 2 aims that build upon an
established and highly successful Pilot Project Program (PPP). Aim 1 will enhance the PPP program with a
focus on translational research and team science, providing investigators $50,000/year for up to 2 years to
establish successful programs of research in health equity. Investigators will use translational research
techniques to systematically address basic mechanistic questions; apply findings to preclinical, biomedical, and
behavioral research problems; and design clinical or behavioral interventions to improve health care and health
outcomes. Outreach and recruitment strategies will leverage institutional connections to maximize ESI and UR
applicants. Faculty selected for PPP funding will be expected to complete proposed research aims within set
timelines; work directly with team science experts to enhance translational impact of their work; produce
deliverables including peer reviewed publications and externally submitted grant proposals; and participate in
RCMI activities, faculty mentoring programs, and research development activities. Aim 2 will support career
development of PPP research leads and other ESI and UR faculty through an Individualized Mentoring
Program (IMP). PPP applicants will receive individualized support throughout the proposal process and in
selecting a mentorship team. Formal mentoring support will specifically address barriers commonly
experienced by ESI and UR faculty. Overall program evaluation will combine objectively verifiable outcomes
(promotions, publications, and submitted/funded grant proposals), validated outcome measures (mentorship
effectiveness, competencies, self-efficacy) and qualitative methods to gain deep insight into factors impacting
career progression. In 5 years, we anticipate supporting both ESI and UR faculty (13 total investigators)
through pilot research funding and participation in the IMP. We expect the investigators’ publications, external
grant submissions, and ratings of mentor effectiveness and mentee self-efficacy to increase over time.
Through these outcomes, IDC will strongly enhance ESI and UR scholar career development at NAU which in
...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10555416
- **Project number:** 2U54MD012388-06
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** ANNA L SCHWARTZ
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $627,961
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2017-09-20 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10555416

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10555416, Investigator Development Core (2U54MD012388-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10555416. Licensed CC0.

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