# Networking Core

> **NIH NIH U2C** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $101,909

## Abstract

The Networking Core of PERFORM-KUH proposes an integrated approach to strengthening the pipeline for KUH
science. The Core brings commitment to and experience with early career engagement through mentoring,
diversity, equity, and inclusion, and educational outreach. The objectives of the Networking Core are to: (i)
increase the pool of interested and academically prepared students for KUH-focused careers in biomedical
research or academic medicine, (ii) provide KUH-focused research training opportunities to individuals from
populations that have been underrepresented in science and medicine, and (iii) facilitate and support near-peer
mentoring among all trainees supported by PERFORM-KUH and maintain longitudinal engagement with the
trainee community across the early career spectrum. To accomplish these overall objectives and achieve the
following five specific aims, the Core will leverage the resources and expertise of two umbrella programs: the
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Learner Experience Program (IDEAL XP) and Outreach, Education, and
Research (OER). Specific Aim 1 is to synergize and partner with a robust infrastructure of experiential programs
for undergraduate, post-graduate, and medical students to strengthen the KUH science pipeline. Specifically,
PERFORM-KUH will support 8 students as PERFORM-KUH Scholars annually who will be matched with TL1
trainee research mentors and faculty at the five participating institutions. Specific Aim 2 is to partner with the
OER to support mentorship and networking for 6 Philadelphia region high school students annually who are
interested in pursuing STEM careers through paid summer internships in a KUH-focused area. PERFORM-KUH
will support these Summer Interns in labs in nephrology, urology, or hematology with designated faculty trainers
and TL1 trainee research mentors. Specific Aim 3 is to provide KUH-focused research training opportunities to
individuals from populations that have been underrepresented in science and medicine to promote inclusion,
diversity, and equity in the growing KUH workforce. The KUH-affiliated programs for PERFORM-KUH Scholars
collectively recruit from >300 colleges/universities across the United States and its territories, and participants
are primarily students underrepresented in biomedical research and medicine and/or those who attend smaller
colleges/universities where the opportunities to conduct research are less extensive. Priority for the PERFORM-
KUH Summer Internship will be given to students from low-income and underrepresented populations. Specific
Aim 4 is to support direct peer communication and near-peer mentoring among all PERFORM-KUH trainees and
maintain ongoing engagement with the trainee community by having trainees serve as mentors for the students
in the outreach programs, conducting in-person networking and community building events, leveraging virtual
collaboration tools, and maintaining an active alumni network. Specific Aim 5 is to rigorously ev...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10987326
- **Project number:** 1U2CDK136784-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Michelle Denburg
- **Activity code:** U2C (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $101,909
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10987326

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10987326, Networking Core (1U2CDK136784-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10987326. Licensed CC0.

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