# Evaluation Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $224,889

## Abstract

EVALUATION CORE―ABSTRACT
The Evaluation Core (EvalCore) for NURTURE: Northwestern University Recruitment to Transform Under-
Representation and achieve Equity will evaluate and continuously improve our proposed ecosystem aimed at
transformation to inclusive excellence. The EvalCore will use a systems approach that is equitable, participatory,
and continuously improving. It will monitor and track the progress of the program and participants; assess
interventions; map interactions and networks; monitor timelines; deeply examine knowledge, skills, attitudes,
and behaviors; and report progress toward the stated overall aims. These activities have been designed to both
limit any evaluation burden on program participants and ensure that the NURTURE leadership, investigators,
and advisors have a deep view into the complex and layered structure and operations of NURTURE, and can
therefore refine, improve and empower its activities. Program evaluation will be accomplished through the
following Specific Aims. Aim 1: Coordinate with other FIRST programs. The EvalCore will collaborate with the
FIRST CEC and the FIRST awardee institutions to develop and coordinate evaluation activities, reporting, and
cross-institution research metrics and approaches. Aim 2: Develop the evaluation framework and operations
needed to assess the primary outcomes. EvalCore will use well-established strategy, metrics, workflows, and
quantitative and qualitative data measures and sources for evaluation in a systems approach to evaluation and
research. Our approach is based on participatory and utilization-focused assessments that integrate evaluation
data, reflection and feedback from across the system to advance the goal of NURTURE to create inclusive
excellence. This evaluation framework will help NURTURE test the hypothesis that a cohort model of faculty
hiring within a sustaining culture valuing inclusive excellence will achieve significant improvements in metrics of
institutional culture and scientific workforce diversity among biomedical research faculty. Aim 3: Implement
existing formative evaluations, and develop new ones as needed, for continuous improvement. The EvalCore,
in collaboration with the other cores of NURTURE, will employ mixed methods to evaluate the efficacy of the
NURTURE program elements. By exploring how each program element impacts the members of the NURTURE
cohort and the broader Northwestern community, we will adapt program elements as needed to achieve success.
Aim 4: Communicate results for maximum impact. The EvalCore will establish a robust dissemination
infrastructure to drive accountability and transformative impact at Northwestern and beyond. It will provide and
leverage FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reproducible) dissemination channels to support
equitable knowledge translation and capacity building for the NURTURE program and its recruited cohort. These
channels will be used to communicate the results of NURTURE and the broader...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10701949
- **Project number:** 5U54CA272163-02
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** KRISTI HOLMES
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $224,889
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-09 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10701949

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10701949, Evaluation Core (5U54CA272163-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10701949. Licensed CC0.

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