# UAB/TU FIRST Faculty Development Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2023 · $203,606

## Abstract

The UAB/TU FIRST Partnership’s Faculty Development Core has aligned its proposed aims and
activities to include each of the levels of influence described by the Social Ecological Model. Specifically, we
will: 1) facilitate development of innovative, independent research among Benjamin-Carver Scientists through
individual and cluster development plans augmented by a) scientific mentoring through Principal Mentors and
mentoring teams; b) individual and group career coaching; c) personal sponsorship by an established leader;
and d) professional development opportunities, with immersive community engagement; 2) institute an Office
of Integrated Research Support to provide research navigation to Benjamin-Carver Scientists and fast-track
administrative support; 3) develop a Research Community Collaboratory to inspire and challenge Benjamin-
Carver Scientists by augmenting peer clusters with established mid- and senior-level scientists and community
stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and team science; 4) revise and implement institutional policies,
practices, and programs related to recruitment, promotion, and personal/career development to reduce
isolation, build community, and create an inclusive, equitable environment for Benjamin-Carver Scientists, as
well as current and future diverse research-intensive faculty; and 5) work with the Evaluation Core to evaluate
the UAB/TU FIRST Partnership and for common data elements needed by the FIRST Coordination and
Evaluation Center to assess impact of the FIRST Cohort Program.
 Both UAB and TU are committed to supporting our Scientists so that they can become successful
independent researchers. We will promote their career development by funding dedicated Principal Mentors to
provide scientific guidance and to lead multidisciplinary mentoring teams, supported by Research Navigators
and Sponsor advocates; offering individual career coaching and group coaching sessions to reduce isolation
and provide support; and facilitating involvement in professional development opportunities across four
domains. We will remove barriers to success by fast tracking the infrastructure support of our Scientists and by
providing Research Navigators through an institutionally supported Office of Integrated Research Support. We
will integrate investigators within clusters, across areas of research, and with community organizations through
our Research Community Collaboratory and networking activities. We will ensure retention by instituting
policies at both institutions that reflect positive changes initiated by this program and by implementing diversity,
equity, and inclusion programming to enhance and sustain a culture of diversity and inclusive excellence.
 We are confident that our decades of collaboration combined with our current adeptness to interact
virtually will allow us to provide the support and integration our Benjamin-Carver Scientists need to be
successful. Together we can create the systemic and sustainable c...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10705183
- **Project number:** 5U54CA267746-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** MONA N. FOUAD
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $203,606
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-22 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10705183

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10705183, UAB/TU FIRST Faculty Development Core (5U54CA267746-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10705183. Licensed CC0.

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