Our pathway programs support postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty who participate in our Health Equity Research Education Program (HEREP), formerly called the Health Disparities Research Education Program (HDREP). Scholars are mentored in research training and career development and take courses on bioethics, biostatistics, epidemiology, and minority aging. There is an intensive grant writing retreat during which each participant presents a grant proposal that may be submitted to an external funding agency, and receives critical feedback to increase fundability. 

Program Dates: October 2024 - September 2025
Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Portions of the training will include web-based training courses and independent grant development with a mentor at times scheduled by the scholar/mentor dyads. In addition, scholars will be required to participate in scheduled video conference faculty development group discussions. The video conference format allows trainees to participate from their home institutions. Two Bioethics Workshops and the Grant Writing Retreat may require travel.

Through participation in faculty development discussions and workshops, scholars will be able to enhance their knowledge and scientific skills, as well as gain expertise in health equity/disparities research. Participants in these activities will become stronger candidates for grant funding as independent investigators.

A final product of an R03 (or equivalent) grant proposal may be written and submitted by each scholar during the training period or shortly after. The scholars will also focus on secondary data analysis and development of manuscripts for publication, in addition to the research training faculty development discussions.

Scholars who complete the program requirements are expected to apply for a grant to fund their research.

Program Objectives:

1. Develop independent researchers in health equity/disparities research through individualized mentored training.
2. Provide instruction in scientific research methodology and design.
3. Provide training on the topic of health disparities and innovative approaches to reduce them.
4. Teach scientific writing and grant preparation skills to produce a grant submission to an external agency.

Program Sponsorship:

The program is sponsored by grants from the NIH National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA), Creighton University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Tuskegee University, the University of Alabama, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and coordinated by the UAB MHERC.