# NRSA Training Core

> **NIH NIH TL1** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $677,021

## Abstract

Contact PD/PI: Bernard, Gordon R NRSA-Training-001 (740)
TL1 Abstract
The Vanderbilt-Meharry Edge for Scholars NRSA Core is an interdisciplinary, translational research training
program invigorated by group activities that intentionally mix non-clinical and clinical trainees across disciplines
and levels of training (TL1 and KL2). We offer a uniquely collaborative culture with a thriving research
enterprise and our approach serves to connect, enlarge, and sustain our community of translational scientists.
This model is responsive to calls for changing how the next generation of researchers is trained to drive
translational endeavors and to excel in team science. Unlike traditional T32s, our selection of trainees is not
constrained by discipline, graduate programs, or disease focus. Building on varied research backgrounds of
trainees, we incorporate experiences to foster emergence of new interdisciplinary teams—which is proving
effective. Pre- and postdoctoral trainees are selected by competitive review from a demographically diverse
pool of applicants. Training is individually tailored in the context of structured mentorship and progress is
carefully monitored by the PI (Hartmann) and Co-Director (Edwards). Activities include interdisciplinary mentor
panel meetings, work-in-progress groups, Bench-to-Bedside Rounds, near-peer mentoring, writing workshops,
and pragmatic career development seminars. This program will serve 10 TL1 trainees, seven pre-doctoral and
three postdoctoral, for up to five and three years respectively. In addition to conducting mentored research as
part of an established transdisciplinary team and pursuing their academic course of studies if applicable,
trainees will craft Pathways that combine 42 contact hours (not credits) of didactic, intensive, and experiential
learning. These are anchored in eight key areas: Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Data Sciences, Clinical Context
(for non-clinical scholars), Learning Healthcare System, Measurement Methods, Sex & Gender Biology,
Technology Transfer & Innovation, or Race, Ethnicity, Disadvantage & Health. Individualized components of
pathways build key translational competencies, yet are flexible and allow extensive individual tailoring to best
match prior training and future career directions of the trainee. Our program benefits from integration within a
CTSA hub in a medical center that ranks 11th in overall NIH funding, values and achieves diversity, conducts
cutting-edge research, provides top-flight graduate education, and has strong synergy across the TL1 and KL2
awards. We provide trainees an abundance of research cores and unique models for expert guidance like
Studios, Biostatistics Clinics, REDCap Data Management courses, a library of funded grants, internal study
sections, and much more. Tools are in place to evaluate both trainees and mentors over time and to
continuously enhance the program. Oversight is provided by an Advisory Committee and external site visitors.
We wo...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10811649
- **Project number:** 5TL1TR002244-08
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Julie A. Bastarache
- **Activity code:** TL1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $677,021
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-06-01 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10811649

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10811649, NRSA Training Core (5TL1TR002244-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10811649. Licensed CC0.

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