# Investigator Development Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE · 2020 · $395,122

## Abstract

The Investigator Development Core will address the development of early career 
investigators in basic biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research through a pilot project 
program that allows researchers to generate preliminary data for submission of grant 
applications particularly focusing on research related to diseases that disproportionally 
impact minority or other disparity populations, or those that address health disparities. 
Professional development opportunities to increase the participation, advancement, and 
leadership capabilities of junior faculty and post-doctoral fellows will be linked to this 
core. The goal of the core is to enable our junior researchers to successfully apply for 
extramural funding, and progress in their academic career as funded investigators. 
Therefore, the specific aims of the core are to: 
1) Establish a pilot awards program targeted to post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty to 
advance basic, behavioral, and clinical research in health disparities. 
2) Mentor the pilot project investigators to enhance their career development, 
publications, and research outcomes derived from pilot research funds. 
3) Implement a grant submission timeline for extramural grant funding appropriate to 
pilot investigator career stage. 
Findings from the proposed pilot project health disparities research program will to lead 
to new K, R, and equivalent extramural grants, the outcomes of which will contribute to 
healthier communities across the nation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9974579
- **Project number:** 5U54MD007586-34
- **Recipient organization:** MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Fernando Villalta
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $395,122
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-09-30 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9974579

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9974579, Investigator Development Core (5U54MD007586-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9974579. Licensed CC0.

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