Abstract
Introduction: Adding developmental networks (DN) to grant-writing coaching can significantly enhance ESIs’ research careers. Herein, we present study design, ESIs’ characteristics and encountered challenges/lessons learned and their resolutions when deploying/implementing (a) NCR algorithm(s), (b) recruitment/retention and (c) implementing DN intervention. Methods: Nested Cluster Randomization (NCR) design governs this study implementation. The sample size is 220 ESIs intending to submit an NIH K, R, U, and/or Minority Supplement application(s). Primary outcome: intensity/sustainability of grant submission(s)/funding(s), measured by time to/between application(s). Outcome(s) analyses modes: summaries, Kaplan Meir and Cox proportional hazard models as a function of randomization groups and other predictors of outcomes. Results: In the present study, we recruited two cohorts of ESIs (N = 85): 39% African Americans, 18% Latinx, 18% Whites, 20% Asians and 6% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/other ethnicities; 65% are women; 73% are assistant professors, 4% are Associate Professors and 23% are instructors/scientists/post-doctoral. Participants’ disciplines: 32% basic/biomedical, 36% clinical/translational and 32% social/behavioral. Proposal(s) mechanisms: 61% research grants (R series), 31% career development (K series), 7% support of competitive research (SCORE) and 1% National Science Foundation applications. NCR did produce balance in the distribution of ESIs’ demographics, sex at birth, ethnicity, professional appointments, background disciplines, and mechanism of sought funding. Lessons learned/challenges: NCR implementation was methodologically challenged during implementation by added constraints (e.g., assigning coaches to the same randomization arm of their participants as well as blinding them to ESIs’ randomization group). Recruitment and retention were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and more progressive and innovative strategies were needed to heighten the visibility and outreach of this program. DN delivery was also affected by the pandemic and monitoring of ESIs’ engagement and facilitation of communications interventions were needed. Resolution of these challenges effectively reconfigured NCR algorithms, recruitment/retention plans, and DN intervention delivery. We intend to recruit an additional 135 ESIs focusing on underrepresented scholars from RCMIs, CTSAs, and other programs. COVID-19 rendered this program 100% virtual, with recruitment/retention challenges and substantial disruption of ESIs’ research. We may extend the grant writing period, coaching, and Mock Study Section support.
Highlights
Adding developmental networks (DN) to grant-writing coaching can significantly enhance Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs)’ research careers
Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute, which is headquartered in Washington D.C. They focus on identifying issues and developing solutions that will reduce racial and ethnic health and healthcare disparities and improve the health of all Americans. They will assist us with the distribution of our study fliers and identify if their participants are a good match for our program, and this will greatly increase our recruitment efforts
We have queried the NIH Reporter for the PI contact information of (1) PIs of active research grants with supplements and (2) PIs of career development grants (e.g., K01, K08, K99/R00). The former represents a group of investigators committed to mentoring and career development of junior investigators, and the former are the junior faculty who are the primary audience for the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN)-Strategic Empowerment Tailored for Health Equity Investigators (SETH) program
Summary
The development of the research skills of Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs) has been at center stage of many academic institutions in the USA [1,2,3]. Cluster randomization designs are known to be scientifically and methodologically suited for feasible administration (of randomization assignments) and to minimize bias resulting from randomized groups interacting with each other (contamination) [11,12,13,14] They invoke a randomization mechanism that targets the goal of balancing the underlying variables that are assumed to be correlated with the primary outcome measure of the research study [10,11,12,13,14,15,16]. The study aims to test the independence assumption of the institutional setting from the ESI’s ability to train and access developmental networks to advance their research career The work in this manuscript describes the underlying study design and rationale. In implementing this study, we listed the challenges encountered and lessons learned in deploying the cluster randomization scheme, recruitment and retention and delivery of the DN intervention
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