Leading Equity and Diversity in the Medical Scientist Training Program (LEAD MSTP)

Scientific/research contact:
Ashley Smith, PhD
301.496.4406
ashley.smith2@nih.gov

Mercedes Rubio, PhD
rubiome@mail.nih.gov

Peer review contact:
NIGMSReview@mail.nih.gov

Financial and grants management contact:
Rita Sisco
301.443.2805
siscor@mail.nih.gov

Jun Moy
moyj@nigms.nih.gov

This program, LEAD MSTP, will provide funding for eligible institutions to develop and implement effective, evidence-informed approaches to fully integrate the transitional phases of dual-degree training and mentoring that will lead to the completion of both clinical degrees and research doctorate degrees. Priority is given to programs that focus on underrepresented people, such as certain racial and ethnic groups, those with low socioeconomic status, and rural populations.

Funded programs are expected to:

• Provide high-quality clinical training, mentored research experiences, and additional opportunities that will build a strong cohort of research-oriented individuals
• Implement plans to optimize the time required to earn the dual degree
• Address the training needs and objectives, provide evidence of accomplishing the training objectives in progress reports, make training and career outcomes publicly available, and disseminate successful training practices to the broader training community
• Implement evidence-informed training and mentoring activities
• Ensure that trainees have a solid foundation in methods to enhance data reproducibility through rigor and transparency
• Promote inclusive, safe, and supportive research and clinical training environments. Specifically, funded programs should have institutional and departmental environments where individuals from all backgrounds are welcomed and feel integrated into and supported by the biomedical community
• Enhance trainee retention

Eligibility is limited to dual-degree training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and institutions within Institutional Development Award (IDeA)-eligible states.

Application budgets are not limited, but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.

Awards may be for a project period up to five years and are potentially renewable.

Links to the full announcement, application instructions, and the online application process are available through grants.gov.