April 12, 2022

Request for Information: Initiatives That Improve Research Training, Career Progression, or the Educational Environment in the Biomedical Research Enterprise

NIGMS supports individuals and institutions that foster research training and a strong and diverse biomedical research workforce through a variety of programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels. We’re seeking input from trainees (undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral scientists), biomedical faculty, and research education program participants (e.g., postbaccalaureates), on initiatives that can help us improve research training, career progression, or the educational environment. NIGMS is especially interested in hearing about trainee-initiated activities—particularly from the trainees themselves—in NIGMS-funded training programs, including U-RISE, MARC, BUILD, PREP, G-RISE, IMSD, Bridges to the Baccalaureate, Bridges to the Doctorate, IRACDA, MOSAIC, basic biomedical T32, and MSTP.

Join the Discussion

If you’ve been involved in a trainee-initiated activity and are interested in participating in a webinar on this topic, please email Shakira Nelson or Sydella Blatch. We’re planning a series of webinars to provide a forum for trainees to discuss initiatives they have led or developed, including ways in which they’ve worked with faculty administrators or fellow trainees to improve research training, career progression, or the educational environment.

This request for information (RFI) invites comments describing, but not limited to, the following:

  • The ways in which NIGMS-supported research training, career progression, or the educational program(s) have been beneficial
  • How NIGMS-supported research training, career progression, or the educational program(s) could be improved
  • The ways in which trainees at your institution have worked to improve research training, career progression, or the educational environment
  • Areas of concern regarding the broader training environment and how NIH/NIGMS programs could help improve it
  • Recommendations for how best NIH/NIGMS can receive feedback on trainee experiences going forward

Responses to the RFI can be submitted via an online form and will be anonymous. The due date for submitting responses to the RFI is May 28.


About the Authors

Headshot of Sydella Blatch Alexander.

Sydella Blatch Alexander

As a physiologist and former professor at a primarily undergraduate institution, Sydella administers programs that include institutional training awards, research project grants, programs to increase biomedical research capacity, and career development awards.
Headshot of Shakira Nelson.

Shakira Nelson

Shakira is a Program Officer in the Division of Training and Workforce Development (TWD). With a background in immunology and infectious diseases, she oversees several T32 basic biomedical programs, and has a small portfolio in Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry (PPBC) focusing on systemic immune and inflammatory responses.
Alison Gammie.

Alison Gammie

Alison is a senior advisor in the Division of Training and Workforce Development, which supports a variety of research training and career development programs at the undergraduate through faculty levels.