Secondary Mentorship Program for Diverse Research Faculty
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In collaboration with the MGH Equity and Community Health Office, the Disparities Solutions Center has created the Secondary Mentorship Program for diverse research faculty. It will be launched as a small pilot program with plans to expand in the next few years.
Year 1 Scope:
4 junior faculty at MGH from historically under-represented groups who would benefit from dedicated secondary mentorship in research. The secondary mentor is another important resource for the tenure-track faculty member. In addition to helping the tenure-track faculty member adjust to the environment of the department and the school, the secondary mentor should be available as needed to provide another perspective on questions related to scholarly expectations and progress, work/life balance, and personal issues.
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1. Year 1 scope is current research faculty at MGH. In Year 2 we will include newly recruited folks.
Application Process:
Applicants can apply to be part of the program through the application process if they meet the criteria below:
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1. Junior Faculty doing clinical and population health research at MGH
​a.) ​faculty who are on the Area of Excellence: Investigation promotion track/clinical expertise and innovation track, or
b.) faculty who are planning or intend to get promoted on the Area of Excellence: Investigation promotion track/clinical expertise and innovation track, or ​
c.) faculty who spend >25% of their effort engaged in research.​
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Examples are faculty who:
a.) already have a K01/K08/K23/K99 funded, or comparable career development award funded (e.g. K12, KL2, Doris Duke, etc.), or independent funding (basically an R01), and are in years 1-2 of the grant;
b.) have already submitted a career development award with a reasonable path to funding (e.g. K submission is scored).
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2. From a historically underrepresented group, or from disadvantaged backgrounds doing clinical or population health research. This broad definition may include, but is not limited to:
a.) Women or gender-diverse individuals of any ethnic or racial group;
b.) Those identifying as Hispanic, Black, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Asian, or American Indian/Alaska Native; or
c.) Those who were first-generation college students or come from low-income backgrounds
Program Format:
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Applications due Monday, September 9th, 2024
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Selection decisions will be made by Monday, September 30th
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Quarter 1:
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In-person kick-off meeting October 2024 with all four mentor-mentee dyads​
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Mandatory monthly meetings with assigned mentor
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Quarter 2:
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Mandatory quarterly meetings with assigned mentor​
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Quarterly group meeting with all four mentor-mentee dyads
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Quarter 3:
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1 mandatory quarterly meeting with assigned mentor​
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Quarterly group meeting with all four mentor-mentee dyads
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Quarter 4:
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1 mandatory quarterly meeting with assigned mentor​
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Closing meeting with all four mentor-mentee dyads
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Throughout the year: Communication via email, review of documents, and presentations.
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The opportunity to apply for additional funding through the Equity Innovation Grant and the Collaboration Catalyst Grant from the MGH Equity and Community Health Office
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Mongan/DSC Biomedical Research Intern for research staff support (summer 2025)
The application is now open! The application deadline is Monday, September 9th, 2024.