Now Accepting Applications for REC Junior Investigator Mentorship Program

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The Michigan ADRC is committed to funding at least six early career investigators through the REC Mentorship Program. This program includes a one-time $25,000 (direct costs) MADRC REC grant. This REC grant is partially funded by a grant from the NIH/National Institute on Aging with additional funding from the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center. In addition to the $25,000 in direct costs, total indirect costs of $400 will be provided. 

This two-year program provides mentees with an individually tailored mentoring committee or experienced investigators to assist mentees with preparation of competitive grant applications. Mentees will have access to online curriculum about contemporary dementia research to introduce basic features of dementias. Mentees will participate in the Career Development Workshop jointly sponsored by the MADRC and the University of Michigan Pepper Center. This workshop takes place in the spring and includes a Mock Study Section and other career development activities. Mentees will have access to career development support provided by the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research. Mentees receive preferred (not guaranteed) access to MADRC resources, Developmental Project grant programs, travel funds, as well as the opportunity to present research at the annual MADRC Research Symposium and at national Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center meetings. 

Eligibility:

  • Investigators must be from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, or Wayne State University and plan to maintain their appointment at one of these institutions throughout the two-year program
  • Funds are not transferable to another institution outside our 3-university consortium. 
  • Career commitment to some form of dementia-related research
  • Post-doc fellow (advanced status, usually after the 2nd or 3rd year)
  • Early career and new investigator status (assistant professor with no R01 or equivalent)
  • Plan to submit a substantial grant application – career development award, R01 or equivalent, major foundation grant- within the next two years

Use of funds:

The award must underwrite activities advancing the mentee’s career. Examples:

  • Data analyses
  • Study personnel support
  • Acquisition of initial data that is a departure from the applicant’s primary line of research
  • Method development
  • Equipment purchase
  • Imaging or similar services
  • For senior post-doc fellows: salary support to defray work on a novel project
  • Other uses, if justified appropriately
  • Expenses which do not comply with Uniform Guidance (previously A-21) rules are unallowable on the project (e.g., Hosting, Postage, Telephone, General Supplies, Computers, Admin Salaries

The program is a two-year program with the following components:

  • An online curriculum about contemporary dementia research to introduce mentees to basic features of dementias.
  • An individually tailored mentoring committee of experienced investigators to assist mentees with preparation of competitive grant applications.
  • Participation in the Career Development Workshop jointly sponsored by the MADRC and the University of Michigan Pepper Center. This workshop takes place in the spring and includes a Mock Study Section and other career development activities.
  • Access to Career Development support provided by the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research.
  • Mentees receive preferred (not guaranteed) access to MADRC resources, Developmental Project programs, and travel funds to attend a national NIH/NIA Alzheimer’s Disease Center meeting
  • Presentation of research at the annual MADRC symposium and opportunities to present research at national Alzheimer Disease Research Center meetings. 

Our expectations of mentees in the program are as follows: 

  • Selecting a mentoring committee and submitting to REC leadership for approval
  • Frequent, regular meetings with your designated primary mentor
  • Mentoring committee meetings every 6 months
  • Regular progress reports to the REC program
  • Yearly meeting with REC on-site Co-Leads (Albin-U-M; Vega-MSU; Lichtenberg-WSU)
  • Annual Presentations at MADRC symposia
  • Use of MADRC resources

Applications should be no more than three pages in length and describe research commensurate with a two-year award. Reviewers rank proposals based on their potential significance and impact, research plans consistent with MADRC goals, and likelihood of leading to future NIH or private foundation funding. 

The proposal should include a concise statement of research interests and career goals, including identification of projected grant application(s). In addition, a letter of reference, budget and budget justification, biosketch in current NIH format, and Other Support / Supplemental document are required. A checklist with further details and document templates is provided in the Competition Space. 

Applicants will be notified by May 2022 if they were selected to participate in the REC mentorship program. The anticipated appointment will be for a two-year period, July 1, 2022-June 30, 2024.

We encourage applicants to contact MADC staff for guidance with the application process. MADC faculty and staff will also be available to assist with project development. For questions, please contact Stephanie Nava, senava@med.umich.edu or Arijit Bhaumik, arijit@med.umich.edu.

Applications are open until March 31 at 5 p.m. Please see the Competition Space for details and to submit your application.