# Core B: Developmental core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2020 · $363,440

## Abstract

CORE B: Abstract/Summary
The Developmental Core (Core B) supports the overall mission of the PMHARC through its services focused
on training, mentoring, and management of the pilot projects program. During the current funding cycle, Core
B, in partnership with the Administrative Core and the PMHARC Executive Committee (EC) established a
rigorous, efficient strategy for the solicitation and review of high priority pilot research focused on mental illness
and HIV/AIDS. The role of the pilot projects program within the PMHARC is central to its overall mission and
provides the framework for the delivery of much of the Center's training and mentoring services. Pilots are
expected to pair experienced investigators with early career or transitional investigators. All Cores are
expected to assist with the development of pilot concepts and proposals and if selected for funding, provide
services to the pilot investigators and their projects at no cost, adding real value to each pilot. During this first
funding cycle, the PMHARC invested 10% of its annual total costs to support pilot projects and a total of 26
projects have been funded thus far with support of up to $40,000 each. In all of the Core's services, priority is
given to early career investigators and investigators from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. Forty-four
early career and transitioning investigators have been engaged in pilot projects thus far, 21% are from racial
and ethnic minority groups and 61% are women. To assist with the recruitment of participants for the pilot
projects, the Core established the bi-weekly recruitment support group. As a result of the success of this group
in assisting with recruitment for HIV/AIDS research beyond the pilots, this service transitioned to become an
ongoing service of the Community Engagement Core. During the current funding cycle, the Developmental
Core established the monthly PMHARC Journal Club that provides a forum for presentation and discussion of
significant research focused on mental illness and HIV/AIDS. The Journal Club is also used as a venue for pilot
investigators to present findings, receive feedback on interpretation of data, plan for publication and
subsequent grant submissions, and practice presentation skills. Core B also led the development and
implementation of the first city-wide conference designed to increase awareness of HIV research taking place
in Philadelphia and to promote research collaborations. The serves as a clearinghouse for related seminars
and trainings offered both on and off campus. During the next funding cycle, we will build on the success of the
pilot projects program by working with seven other centers and institutes on campus to co-sponsor pilot
projects, expanding the scientific reach of the PMHARC and providing increased funds for larger projects. As
more pilots are completed, there will be an increased opportunity to promote publication of findings and grant
applications. The Core will continue t...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9864096
- **Project number:** 5P30MH097488-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID S METZGER
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $363,440
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9864096

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9864096, Core B: Developmental core (5P30MH097488-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9864096. Licensed CC0.

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