Program Benefits
Diverse Cohort
Your cohort will be made up of diverse, early-career investigators selected from different institutions across the United States.
Mentored Research
Trainees will receive two hand-selected mentors to advise on the design and execution of research projects. One mentor will specialize in omics (either wet lab or population-based research). The other mentor will specialize in data science. Mentors will contribute new scientific directions, ideas, and technical advice for project success. Mentors will also share their experience on publishing with interdisciplinary teams.
Structured Networking
Trainees will have multiple opportunities to create and maintain a network of peers and collaborators. Throughout the program, trainees will practice the foundational skills of building, growing, and maintaining a professional network through a variety of networking activities, including formal and informal networking events, roundtables, and panel discussions.
Omics and Data Science Training
Career MODE trainees will attend intensive, virtual and/or in-person trainings on omics and data science topics of interest. Each trainee will select and receive a tailored curriculum aligning with their career goals. Coursework will be personalized with two electives according to trainees’ projects and goals and will include courses along the lines of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Epigenomics, Metabolomics and Exposomics, Proteomics, Microbiome, Machine Learning, Causal Mediation Analyses, Computational Multi-omics. Artificial Intelligence, Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility, Responsible Conduct of Research, Diverse Research and Learning Environments, and others.
Grant Writing Training
The Career MODE Program will provide crucial skills in grant writing and ‘grant-crafting’ to prepare trainees to submit a competitive extramural (i.e., NIH) grant proposal. Trainees will receive both group instruction, as well as personalized one-on-one sessions with grant writing experts tailored to their personal applications and research goals. Through a combination of seminars, discussions, examples, hands-on activities, and a particular focus on navigating between-the-lines to tailor proposals to grant reviewers, program training will orient trainees to all aspects of the academic funding process. Trainees will learn about how to identify and apply for the right funding opportunities; understand and address review criteria; position their research for maximum impact; target their application to the right place at the right time; and write clearly, effectively, and persuasively. Individualized feedback and iteration will equip trainees with, at a minimum, submission-ready aims pages and biosketches.
Professional Development Training
Trainees will learn the fundamental lab leadership and management skills needed for success as a Principal Investigator (PI). Professional development training will integrate lectures with hands-on sessions to put eight key “survival skills” into practice: negotiating, staffing, leading, mentoring, managing people, managing time, managing projects, and networking.
A Successful Pathway to Research Independence
The Career MODE Program strives to provide all trainees with a successful pathway to independent research. Our 11-month program will provide trainees with the skills, knowledge, mentoring, and professional network to grow their careers.