Trainee & Early Stage Investigator Resources

CAIRIBU ARCTICS Community

Be part of the virtual CAIRIBU trainee community, ARCTICS (Advancing the Research Capacity of Trainees and Investigators at early-Career Stages)

Virtual CAIRIBU ARCTICS Community forums convene monthly to provide resources and skills to the next generation of benign GU investigators. STAY TUNED FOR THE 2023 SCHEDULE. Email CAIRIBU to join the planning committee

Thte 2023 dkNET Summer of Data Student Program is a valuable opportunity for students to refine their research practices in rigor and reproducibility, and ultimately benefit their research projects. The application deadline for the program is April 24, 2023

dkNET Summer of Data Student Program: https://dknet.org/about/Summer-Program

Flyer: dkNET Summer of Data Student Program Flyer

The CAIRIBU Interactions Core is launching a new initiative to connect CAIRIBU-affiliated trainees to potential mentors. The purpose of the CAIRIBU Mentorship Network was conceived by a committee of CAIRIBU trainees and ESIs. The objective is to provide an avenue beyond a trainee’s primary PI/mentor for additional individualized feedback or career advice (see the non-exhaustive list of potential topic areas below).

Potential Topics for Mentor-Mentee Relationship Discussions:

  • Feedback and guidance on research questions and ideas (prior to developing specific aims)
  • Feedback on portions of grant applications (e.g., specific aims page, strengths and weaknesses of approach, thoughts on how grant would be scored)
  • Network building (connect mentee to others who can help their research and to key contacts in the field)
  • Lab management (how to manage personnel, how to handle conflicts, etc.)
  • Career advice (how to advance career, next steps)
  • Negotiating salaries
  • Managing expectations (how to set reasonable, achievable goals and how to avoid being overly ambitious)
  • View the CAIRIBU Mentorship Packet for resources on establishing and maintaining a mentor relationship

How does the mentorship network work?

If you would like to be paired with a mentor, complete this form to specify your needs, expectations, research interests, and career goals. After you are matched with a potential mentor, you will contact the mentor to discuss whether it is a good mutual fit. If so, you will set up and maintain communications between you and your mentor.

New Complimentary Course for AUA Members

Mentors include Drs. Dolores Lamb, Li Xin, and Margo Damaser

Learn more

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GRANT WRITING

INSTITUTIONAL GRANT WRITING RESOURCES

Many institutions have grant writing resources to help investigators and students through the grant application process. Check out this list of institution-specific grant writing resources at CAIRIBU-affiliated institutions.

Pre-Award Resources:

Form Help:

  • PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information Form Walk-through – This video walks you through the FORMS-F version of the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information Form used for NIH grant application due dates on or after May 25, 2020. This form is used to collect detailed study-level information for the protocols included in NIH grant applications.

Post-Award Resources:

  • Ever Wondered What Happens During the Scientific Review of an NIH Grant Application? – Understanding how peer review works is key to writing a good grant application. In this 44-minute video, NIH Peer Review: “Live” Mock Study Section, scientists have gathered virtually to review three fictional applications in response to a fictional Request For Applications. Watch their discussion to learn how applications are scored, what questions are commonly asked, and what mistakes to avoid in your application.
  • Already funded? Find tips to stay funded.

GRANTS.GOV

  • Learn the basics of grants including the grant lifecycle, grant policies, grant terminology, and more

OTHER PROPOSAL WRITING RESOURCES

Source: Office of Research and Sponsored Program, University of Northern Colorado

MENTORING

Find the mentor toolkit developed by UW-Madison Institute for Clinical and Translational Research HERE.

  • Get the most out of your mentor relationship. Craft an Individual Development Plan (IDP) together with your mentor to help you identify the skills, competencies, and relevant projects necessary for you to further your career goals.

OTHER RESOURCES

 Connect to online resources

Tips and tricks for giving “flash talk” poster presentations at scientific meetings