Open to University of Minnesota Faculty
One year training award with the possibility of renewal for a second year.
Deadline to submit an application: Wednesday, May 17, 2023 by 5 pm (CST)
Recipients will be notified in June 2023
Award starts in the Summer or Fall 2023
MnDRIVE Brain Conditions has created an Early Career Research Skills Development Award to provide 50% salary support or up to $125,000 each year for one to two years to new faculty who want to focus on research skill acquisition and apprenticeship in neuroscience focused research, under the close mentorship and guidance of senior faculty. The award targets new faculty who do not have significant prior research experience. Significant support for efforts devoted to research skill acquisition, including study design and data acquisition, and the preparation of publications and early career grants.
Program Description:
Awards are funded by the Discoveries and treatments for Brain Conditions core area of the Minnesota Discovery, Research, and InnoVation Economy initiative (MnDRIVE). Awards will be given to faculty pursuing basic, translational, or clinical research in neuromodulation.
MnDRIVE Brain Conditions strongly encourages applications from faculty underrepresented in medicine (see definition in Appendix). Diversification of the academic neurosciences workforce is long overdue and needed. Both from a social justice standpoint as well as much needed innovation resulting from diversity, the field needs talented diverse membership. Faculty who are socially, culturally and economically disadvantaged are highly underrepresented in basic, integrative, and clinical neuroscience research at the University of Minnesota and nationwide. New faculty from diverse or non-traditional backgrounds who manifest a high degree of interest in and commitment to an academic neuroscience career face many challenges in skill acquisition, especially if they have followed a mainly non-research or clinical early career path. Therefore, MnDRIVE Brain Conditions is dedicated to improve the diversity of scientists in the neuromodulation field by supporting faculty that come from diverse backgrounds in ethnicity, gender, and thought. We are driven to invest and support intensive early career research skills development for promising faculty candidates.
MnDRIVE
MnDRIVE is a landmark partnership between the University and the state of Minnesota. Discoveries and treatments for brain conditions, a MnDRIVE core area of research and partnership, addresses complex and debilitating brain-related disorders by leveraging university and state investments in medicine and engineering and extending our vibrant partnerships with medical device industries in Minnesota. MnDRIVE Brain Conditions is funded through the Office of the Vice President for Research: https://research.umn.edu/. For more information about the MnDRIVE core area of Discoveries and treatments for brain conditions, see https://mndrivebrainconditions.umn.edu/. For more information on MnDRIVE please visit: https://research.umn.edu/about-us/initiatives/mndrive.
Neuromodulation
Neuromodulation is a transdisciplinary field focused on treating neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders with technological interventions at the neural interface that are non-destructive, reversible, and adjustable. Neuromodulation research integrates basic science, engineering, and clinical disciplines to yield new insights into brain function and develop therapeutic innovations that include electrical, magnetic, optogenetic, and ultrasound technologies.
Nomination Process
Department Chairs nominate early career faculty who show a dedicated interest in a research career and strong promise for success, but require development and training. The ideal candidate will be an assistant professor, non-tenure track. Nominee provides an eligibility letter detailing a 2-year development plan with deliverables, timeline, mentoring team, activities, and funding commitment. During this development period, 50% of time will be dedicated to research.
Application Instructions
There are three parts to the application, all must be completed and submitted no later than 5:00 PM (CT) on May 17, 2023.
PART 1. Online application form.
Applicant should complete the online fellowship application form, which calls for the following required information:
- Applicant name and contact information (telephone, email, current and permanent address).
- University of Minnesota faculty mentor(s) contact information (this will be the faculty mentor under whose direction the applicant will work should the applicant receive the award) - name, phone, email, position, department.
Applicant will also upload a PDF document to the application containing the following sections in the order shown:
Please include headings on each page with your name, program or department, mentors name, and the page number.
1. PERSONAL STATEMENT. Please provide a personal statement and why you would like to receive this MnDRIVE Early Career Development Award (limit 1/2 page, font no smaller than 11 pt font).
2. STATEMENT of DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION. Applicant should provide a brief statement explaining how they will advance or contribute to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion (4 to 8 sentences, font no smaller than 11 pt font).
3. STATEMENT of TRAINING. Describe what new knowledge, skills, and techniques the applicant will acquire through career development training and how these will advance the applicant's career aspirations. Also, identify your mentoring team (limit 1 page, font no smaller than 11 pt font).
4. TIMELINE, KEY MILESTONES and DELIVERABLE(S). The TIMELINE with KEY MILESTONES in the award period should be described or illustrated, should clearly state the project DELIVERABLE(S) expected at the end of the award period (limit 1 page, font no smaller than 11 pt font).
5. APPLICANT CV. The applicant should provide a CV that includes previous education, honors/awards, research experience, publications, conference abstract titles, and IP e.g., disclosures/patents (limit 3 to 5 pages, font no smaller than 11 pt font).
PART 2. LETTER(S) OF CONFIRMATION from proposed UMN primary faculty mentor(s). The UMN faculty mentor should send a LETTER OF CONFIRMATION that identifies the applicant and confirms that he or she will mentor the applicant during the award period should the applicant receive a development award (Letter of Confirmation should be no longer than 1/2 page). LETTERS OF CONFIRMATION should be emailed to [email protected] no later than May 17, 2023.
PART 3. NOMINATION LETTER from department chair. Department chairs will be required to nominate applicants for this award. Letters must describe why their candidate would be a good fit for this career development award. Nominee provides an eligibility letter detailing a 2-year development plan with deliverables, timeline, mentoring team, coaching/ apprenticeship activities, and funding commitment (each letter should be no longer than 2 pages). Letters from department chairs should submit their nominations by email to [email protected] no later than May 17, 2023.
Review Process
Applications will be reviewed during the month of May and June 2023 by the MnDRIVE Brain Conditions Steering Committee. Applicants will be notified at the end of June 2023.
Program Reports and Funding
Initial funding support for 50% effort for 1 year is provided. Nominee and mentor provide a status report after the end of first year as well as bi-annual metrics reports. If significant progress has been made, funding for the second year of support is released.
