# Faculty Development Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2024 · $1,846,410

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Efforts to diversify the trainee population in STEM and biomedical research in the US have achieved some
success. Nevertheless, diversifying the faculties of research institutions has lagged behind and remains a
significant challenge. This disturbing lack of parity is attributed to numerous factors, including disproportionately
high rates of attrition from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups during the transition from training into
faculty-level research careers, lack of adequate mentorship, bias and racism, and challenges associated with
securing extramural funding. The overarching goal of the Faculty Development Core (FDC) is to support faculty
development, mentoring, sponsorship, and promotion for the FIRST Cohort. We will implement a program of
professional development and career advancement tailored for a cohort/cluster model and intended to support
the research success of the individual members of the cohort and of the cohort as a whole. Our program will
combine mentoring/sponsorship, a curriculum of enhanced research skills development with support for
producing strong grant applications, social supports to help FIRST Cohort faculty navigate the specific
challenges and obstacles often faced by early-career faculty from underrepresented groups in science and
medicine, and opportunities for networking at all levels across our institution, within the local community, and in
the broader scientific community. The FDC will work closely with the Evaluation Core to track and assess metrics
of success. Activities will include 1) required mentor/sponsor training centered on bias reduction, anti-racism,
and mentoring for research success; 2) creation of individual development plans (IDPs); 3) mentor/sponsor
committees; 4) a focused and FIRST Cohort program to support the development of knowledge and skills around
building a successful research program and preparation of competitive grant applications. To reduce isolation,
build community, and promote well-being, we will implement an integrated program to enhance professional
development incorporating: 1) a cohort Coaching Team focused on work-life balance and well-being and on the
specific barriers faced by underrepresented groups in academic medicine; 2) a Professional Development
Workshop series to equip early-career faculty with strategies to improve their productivity and overall sense of
satisfaction; and 3) a program of individualized coaching; and; 4) peer mentoring. To create opportunities for
networking and increasing the visibility of FIRST Cohort faculty within our institution and beyond, we will identify
formal and informal networking opportunities that will begin immediately upon hire and which will evolve over the
period of the grant incorporating opportunities to network and engage with 1) faculty at all levels; 2) institutional
leaders; 3) the larger scientific community; and 4) local communities. The proposed FIRST Cohort program will
create a cohesive program of facult...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10927335
- **Project number:** 5U54CA267776-04
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** BENJAMIN K CHEN
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,846,410
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-24 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10927335

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10927335, Faculty Development Core (5U54CA267776-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10927335. Licensed CC0.

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