# UCSD Future Faculty of Cardiovascular Sciences (FOCUS)

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2024 · $342,359

## Abstract

Abstract
A diverse U.S. biomedical research workforce is essential for developing innovation in basic, translational and
clinical research and healthcare and is necessary for improving the nation’s health. The NIH has identified key
issues contributing to the disproportionate representation of underrepresented individuals in the biomedical
workforce, including lack of effective mentoring, guidance in research and career development, and access to
professional networks. The overall goal of the UC San Diego Future Faculty of Cardiovascular Sciences
(FOCUS) Program is to establish long-term effective mentorship and training of early career faculty and
transitioning postdocs from underrepresented backgrounds in critical academic skills to enhance research
success and in obtaining independent NIH or equivalent funding. The program will be led by two Principal
Investigators (PIs) and two co-Investigators (co-Is). The PIs/co-Is have a long history of mentoring and training
early career faculty and success in designing, implementing and directing career development and mentoring
programs specifically for underrepresented mentees. All PIs/co-Is have successfully led extramurally funded
training programs; three of the four PIs/co-Is are actively engaged in NIH-sponsored cardiovascular research
and two PIs/co-Is are from underrepresented backgrounds. The goal and objectives of the UCSD FOCUS
Program are to use evidence-based strategies and asset models to enhance the success of underrepresented
early career faculty in developing competitive research programs and obtaining independent extramural research
funding. The proposed program for each of the four cohorts entering FOCUS will meet the objectives by
providing effective mentorship and training in areas that are unique challenges for early career researchers,
especially from underrepresented backgrounds. We hypothesize that early career faculty participants immersed
in the UCSD FOCUS Program will obtain strong mentorship, academic career development and leadership skills,
as well as excellent guidance in grantsmanship and research development, that will improve their success in
obtaining NIH or equivalent funding. We propose three Specific Aims. Aim 1) To continue to recruit UR early
career faculty and transitioning postdoctoral fellows who have cardiovascular scientific expertise aligned with
those of our research mentors, carefully selected based on their research and mentorship excellence. Aim 2)
To continue to use evidence-based strategies to enhance professional development and effective mentorship of
the early career faculty participants. Aim 3) To continue to promote research self-efficacy by immersing
participants in effective strategies to: a) develop robust and innovative research programs, b) acquire improved
skills in writing effective grant proposals and manuscripts, and c) understand the process and importance of
submitting, revising and reviewing journal articles and grants. Together the ai...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10807641
- **Project number:** 2R25HL145817-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert Scott Ross
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $342,359
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-02-08 → 2029-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10807641

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10807641, UCSD Future Faculty of Cardiovascular Sciences (FOCUS) (2R25HL145817-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10807641. Licensed CC0.

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