The objective of this program is to provide dedicated mentoring to early-career UofU faculty. The goal of U2M2 REACH is to provide scientific mentorship to help early-career UofU faculty obtain their second R01 level grant or equivalent.
The primary outcome will be funded R01 or equivalent grants. We will also track publications, private or foundation grants, promotion/tenure, and awards. Tracking metrics will be aligned with institutional and NIH efforts and outcomes will be shared with HSRC annually. Tracking will be done for a period of 5 years from Program exit.
Eligible Candidates UofU HSC Assistant or Associate Professor faculty members who have secured their first R01 or equivalent grant. Competitive applicants will have a track record or high potential for impactful research, independent R01 or equivalent funding, and at least 50% protected research time for the period of the mentoring program.
Each selected mentee (called a REACH Scholar) will be assigned a mentoring team. While it is anticipated that 2-3 U2M2 Investigators will serve as the primary mentoring team for selected faculty mentees, faculty members external to U2M2 may be invited to also serve as mentors/advisors as needed (based on scientific area, identified knowledge gaps, etc.).
Process for Mentee Selection
U2M2 REACH is a competitive application process whereby mentees are nominated by their Department or College leadership (or equivalent). An annual call for nominations will be disseminated across the HSC campus in the spring of each year. Applications will be due by July 1 each year, with an anticipated start date in the REACH Program of September 1 each year. Nominated mentees will be reviewed internally by the U2M2 Internal Advisory Committee. Generally, up to 3 mentees will be selected each academic year. The period of the mentoring program will be 2 years, after which time mentees will exit the program. There will be no financial cost to mentees or their Department/College for participation in the program.
Program Activities
A. Upon entry into the Program, REACH Scholars will review with their U2M2 Mentoring Team the specific aims and review sheets of their first R01 or equivalent. This will allow the Mentoring Team to understand the foundation upon which the REACH Scholar is building for their second R01 or equivalent application. If the REACH Scholar has submitted their second R01 or equivalent, but it was not funded, they will also provide the specific aims and review sheets of this second R01 or equivalent to their Mentoring Team.
B. Upon entry into the Program, REACH Scholars will complete a written Individual Development Plan (IDP) that will be reviewed with their U2M2 Mentoring Team. The IDP will be used to identify any other mentoring or educational gaps that the REACH Scholar needs.
C. REACH Scholars will be given feedback on their summary and specific aims for the second R01 they are preparing. They may also receive feedback on other aspects of their second R01 or equivalent grant. Extramural grants will be submitted and managed through the REACH Scholars’ department.
D. REACH Scholars will be expected to present annually at U2M2 Chalk Talk, where they will receive feedback on their second R01 or equivalent grant in preparation.
E. REACH Scholars will meet with their U2M2 Mentoring Team to review progress on their grant in preparation. These meetings may also be used to advise mentees on other aspects of their scientific career. As appropriate, REACH Scholars will be encouraged to participate in relevant institutional activities centered on grant writing, building a research career, and related activities.
F. Where needed, REACH Scholars will receive support, training, and/or mentorship on aspects of pre- and post-award grant support and best practices in scientific graphics and presentation.
G. REACH Scholars will be invited to meet upon entry into the program and annually, where scientific progress and other aspects of career development (e.g., lab management, budgets, time management) will be discussed.
H. Mid-way through and at the end of the program, REACH Scholars and their U2M2 Mentoring Team will meet to evaluate progress towards goals. A written evaluation of the REACH Scholar’s progress will be completed by the U2M2 Mentoring Team and shared with the REACH Scholar’s departmental chair and mentors.
Nominate a Mentee
Applicants’ nomination packets must contain the following documents:
A. Departmental/College nomination letter describing why the applicant is an excellent candidate for this Program, their accomplishments and trajectory in research, and their potential as an exceptional established investigator at the University of Utah. This nomination letter should also contain a statement confirming their commitment to the application and that the mentee will have at least 50% protected research time for the period of the mentoring program and specifying who the applicant’s current mentor(s) are.
B. Applicants’ current Biosketch.
C. A personal statement from the applicant on why they feel they are an excellent candidate for this Program, and how they will benefit from the Program. This personal statement should also briefly describe their current R01 or equivalent grant and their plans, including a timeline, for their second R01 or equivalent.