186 Augmenting recruitment and training of underrepresented clinical translational science tenure track Faculty

Abstract

Objectives/Goals: The University of Minnesota (UMN) CTSI and Medical School sought to increase the diversity of translational research-intensive faculty by recruiting highly promising new-to-UMN tenure track faculty in the Medical School. Increased resources and career development will increase recruitment and address barriers to their promotion and success. Methods/Study Population: In 2019, the Medical School Dean committed to fund 15 Early Career Research Awards (ECRA) Scholars to recruit outstanding new-to-UMN, tenure track faculty. Supplementing usual departmental recruitment packages, ECRA Scholars receive: 75% salary and fringe benefit support for 3 years; an additional $500,000 of research funds; and augmented mentoring and coaching with required participation in the relevant CTSI career development program. Department Chairs propose meritorious candidates for Review Committee consideration based on the Chair nomination letter, scientific plan, mentoring plan, CV, and additional letters of recommendation. To foster community building, there is an annual mini-retreat for the ECRA Scholars and other underrepresented CTSI Scholars with an external visiting professor. Results/Anticipated Results: Fifteen tenure-track faculty have been recruited as ECRA Scholars since 2019 into 9 different departments. One additional Scholar has been accepted and three have completed the program. Three ECRA Scholars were K awardees at the time of recruitment. The CTSI career development programs utilized were the K Accelerator (10), KL2 Scholar (2), and K-R01 (5) Programs, with 3 involved in two programs. The Scholar degrees include 10 PhDs, 3 MD/PhDs, and 2 MDs, with additional MPH/MS (5), MSW (1), and DPT (1) degrees. ECRA Scholars have been awarded multiple NIH R21, Foundation, and internal grants currently under review include Ks and R01s with 5 additional K, 2 new R01, and 1 revised R01 submissions planned for the 2024–2025 academic year. Discussion/Significance of Impact: The ECRA program has successfully augmented recruitment of outstanding underrepresented research-oriented early-stage faculty to the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, contributing to many Departments. The CTSI has provided career development, networking, and a broader community of Scholars, with increased diversity in CTSI programs.