# Investigator Development Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $409,575

## Abstract

FIU-RCMI Investigator Development Core (IDC)
Abstract
Expanding the cadre of well-trained researchers committed to addressing the complex underlying drivers of
health disparities within the United States is an urgent priority. In particular, more researchers from health
disparity populations are needed to improve our capacity to cultivate new insights into the root causes of health
disparities and to identify innovative, culturally relevant solutions. The purpose of the Investigator Development
Core (IDC) is to support the overall goals of FIU-RCMI by fostering and promoting health disparities research
with mentorship, training, and research opportunities for early-stage investigators (ESIs), particularly those
from populations underrepresented in the biomedical, behavioral, population, and clinical research workforce.
For the proposed renewal application, the IDC will build on and improve its established pilot project and
mentoring program for promising ESIs to help enhance their career development. The IDC will provide ESIs a
three-phase support system, comprised of Pre-Pilot, Pilot Project, and Post-Pilot phases with the
accompanying 3 Specific Aims: Aim 1. Annually recruit and establish a cohort of promising ESIs (Pre-Pilot
Phase) by: a) providing health disparities research and grant writing training; b) soliciting R03-like health
disparities-focused pilot applications; c) providing a rigorous NIH-like peer-review process, in which all
applicants receive constructive feedback; d) providing ongoing grant writing support for unfunded applicants;
and e) evaluating the application and peer-review process for equity and transparency. Aim 2. Provide
multifaceted support to each cohort of ESIs during the implementation of their 1-2 year pilot project (Pilot
Phase) by: a) assisting each cohort in navigating university research procedures and implementation
challenges; b) ensuring all projects comply with applicable Federal research policies, laws, and regulations; c)
monitoring the progress of all projects; d) supporting each ESI in pilot research outputs of peer-reviewed
publications, presentations, and grant proposals; and e) providing Monthly Cohort Meetings with a professional
development curriculum. Aim 3. Provide a mentoring program for ESIs (Pre-Pilot, Pilot Project and Post-Pilot
Phases) by: a) assisting ESIs with identifying potential mentors and providing them with training about
establishing and maintaining mentoring relationships; b) providing mentors with mentorship and related
training; and c) monitoring mentoring team effectiveness. The mentoring program will be open to all ESIs
interested in health disparities research. By the end of the five-year period, the program will result in a
minimum of 100 ESIs – from a wide variety of academic and research backgrounds – who will have benefited
from participating in the trainings, mentorship, and support provided by the IDC. Between 17-20 of these 100
ESIs will receive pilot funding and have...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10556513
- **Project number:** 2U54MD012393-06
- **Recipient organization:** FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** MARY JO TREPKA
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $409,575
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2017-09-20 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10556513

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10556513, Investigator Development Core (2U54MD012393-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10556513. Licensed CC0.

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