# Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio, An Intensive Summer Education Program in Translational Research for Underrepresented Students (INSPIRE-US)

> **NIH NIH R25** · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $108,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The US population is becoming more diverse. However, the clinical and translational scientific and professional
workforce is not representative of the US population and the underrepresentation of individuals from diverse
backgrounds in the biomedical workforce hinders scientific discovery and adversely impacts the health of our
nation. The NIH has already made substantial investments in research education programs. However, the
predominant focus of the majority of NIH supported workforce development programs has narrowly focused on
cultivating the next generation of doctorally prepared clinical and translational scientists with minimal attention
to the need for a more inclusive biomedical sciences workforce that also includes underrepresented racial
minorities (URMs) as scientists as well as research professionals who are critical to the production of clinical and
translational science (CTS). To address the need for greater diversity in the CTS workforce, the proposed
program, Intensive Summer Education Program in Translation Research for Underrepresented Students
(INSPIRE-US), entails research education activities that align with the mission of the NIH and Case Western
Reserve University. The proposed program, INSPIRE-US, builds on the institutional commitments of the
University and the Cleveland Translational Science Collaborative, as well as the experience of the MPIs, an
external advisory board, and program faculty who have led similar research education programs and understand
the distinct learning and socioemotional needs of URM undergraduates interested in careers related to CTS.
The INSPIRE-US program is conceptualized as a 10-week research education program that is tailored to the
distinct needs of URM undergraduates. Across the five years of this program, the program leadership aim to
recruit 25 program participants. The specific aims for this application are: (1) Recruit diverse and talented
undergraduates through evidence-informed strategies and collaborative institutional partnerships with 9
historically black colleges and universities and surrounding community colleges; (2) Implement a theory-informed
curriculum with complementary program activities that fosters community building and social support, hands on
research experiences across the clinical and translational science continuum, didactic instruction and micro-
credentialing focused on the fundamental concepts of clinical and translational science, and mentoring and
career coaching activities that aim to promote persistence and the intention to pursue careers in CTS among
program participants; and (3) Evaluate the short- and long-term effects of the INSPIRE-US program on
participants’ career progression, program faculty, and the university. Our INSPIRE-US program leverages best
practices known to promote career interest, research skill development, and the socioemotional support needed
for URM undergraduates to successfully join the CTS workforce. If shown effe...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10898810
- **Project number:** 5R25TR004517-02
- **Recipient organization:** CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ronald Lee Hickman
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $108,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-03 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10898810

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10898810, Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio, An Intensive Summer Education Program in Translational Research for Underrepresented Students (INSPIRE-US) (5R25TR004517-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10898810. Licensed CC0.

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