Research Scientist Enrichment Program
Congratulations to the 2022-2023 AD-RCMAR Research Scientist!
The Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease (MCCFAD), a National Institute on Aging funded Alzheimer’s disease-related Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (AD-RCMAR), announces a research career enrichment program involving seminar participation and mentoring in AD-relevant research. One of the Center’s major goals is to enhance the diversity of the aging research workforce by identifying and mentoring scientists from and/or with interest in underrepresented groups who can advance research on AD and related dementias (ADRD). We invite applications from those interested in enhancing their knowledge of contextual factors in ADRD. Funds are available for investigator-initiated research projects that support the development of independent NIH-funded projects. Proposals with high likelihood of advancing research on ADRD disparities, especially among Arab Americans and Latinos, are particularly encouraged.
Eligibility and Requirements
- Investigators must come from an underrepresented background, (an underrepresented racial/ethnic group as defined by the National Institute of Health, first-generation college, socioeconomically disadvantaged or person with disabilities, and/or demonstrate a sustained interest in advancing scientific research on the health of disadvantaged group(s).
- Investigators must be in a faculty (including non-tenure track) position OR an approved postdoc-to-
faculty transition position. - Investigators must be in an early-career stage, defined as pre-tenure and no previous R01 (or equivalent) level funding OR be in a mid-career stage and propose a project that reflects a clear transition into ADRD or ADRD disparities research.
- Proposals should focus on one of MCCFAD’s core areas: epidemiology, culturally-sensitive care, health economics.
- Proposals should be able to be completed within one year as well as support at least one peer-reviewed publication and the preparation of a NIH grant application.
- Funded investigators are expected to commit to participating in all career enrichment activities, including the formation of an integrative mentorship team, monthly seminars, regular progress reports, Gerontological Society of America Conference, Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research annual meeting, and the Summer Data Immersion Program at the University of Michigan.
Resources Available
- Participation in advanced seminar with presentations by experts in the fields of epidemiology, culturally- sensitive care, health economics, and minority aging.
- Group and one-on-one mentoring in theory, research design, methods and analysis.
- Up to $30,000 direct costs for a relevant research proposal, pending NIA approval. Applicants must also budget $1,500 for travel to the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research annual meeting. Eight percent (8%) of the direct expenses requested can be allocated to indirect costs. Funds cannot be used to support senior faculty salaries or to purchase equipment. Studies involving the use of human or animal subjects must be approved by Institutional Review Board prior to the release of funds.
- Guidance in the development of independent NIH-funded projects.
- Advanced training in ADRD secondary data utilization through the Summer Data Immersion program.
