# Initiate Research, Opportunities, and Networks for Underrepresented Early Career Investigators (IRON)

> **NIH NIH K26** · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · 2024 · $103,081

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This current proposal is in response to NIDDK’s awareness and need for a more diverse workforce to achieve
its mission. Hence, early career investigators need the opportunity to gain research knowledge coupled with
quality mentorship to assist with the proper application of those skills, resulting in innovative and meaningful
research. In addition to providing mentorship on research skills, it is also important to understand the
circumstances, as mentioned in the second quote, in which early career investigators have found themselves
and work to develop needed soft (non-research) skills. In some cases, mentees may need to unlearn, learn, and
relearn certain behaviors and habits to be successful. Taken together, my philosophy as a mentor is to
provide experiences for early career investigators, especially from underrepresented groups, that will
help them develop into well-rounded individuals who contribute to advancing science as well as be
demonstrative of reputable citizens in academe. To achieve this goal, I am committed to the following specific
aims:
Aim 1: Continue to develop and hone mentoring skills that will equip me to meaningfully contribute to
the career development and advancement of underrepresented early-stage investigators. I will participate
in mentor focused trainings and workshops offered nationally as well as locally through the University of
Kentucky’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science (UK CCTS).
Aim 2: Use funded research to provide opportunities for mentees to gain hands-on experience in
community-based research, health inequities, and research addressing social determinants of health
that are aligned with NIDDK’s mission as well as develop soft skills necessary to navigate a research
career in academe. Funded research aligned with NIDDK’s mission will be utilized to provide teachable
moments in research design, responsible conduct of research, data management, team science, and
dissemination of research findings. During these interactions, I will work with mentees to identify and cultivate
soft skills that need development for future success.
Aim 3: Provide training and networking opportunities for mentees. I will utilize resources provided by this
grant to identify trainings and workshops that will assist mentees with developing research and leadership skills,
attend scientific meetings, and participate in networking events.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10924070
- **Project number:** 5K26DK138370-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
- **Principal Investigator:** Brittany L. Smalls
- **Activity code:** K26 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $103,081
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-15 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10924070

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10924070, Initiate Research, Opportunities, and Networks for Underrepresented Early Career Investigators (IRON) (5K26DK138370-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10924070. Licensed CC0.

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