PhD Investigator Support Program
PhD Investigator Support Program
Guidelines for PhD Investigator Support Program
HHRI PhD Principal Investigators (PIs) are expected to successfully attract extramural funding to compensate the time they spend working on their projects. However, new project development, proposal writing, mentoring and service activities are also essential to achieving a successful and stable research career. This program has been initiated to provide support for eligible HHRI PhDs with the specific purpose of providing institutional salary support when they are spending time on mentoring, service, and program building activities.
Amount of Salary Support
The maximum annual award is $50,000. Eligible Principal Investigators can receive a maximum of $150,000 every five years under this mechanism during their time as an investigator at HHRI. If salary support is not necessary, funding may be used for other purposes. Carry-forward of unused funds from previous periods is permitted as long as progress reports continue to be submitted and demonstrate continued conformance with program guidelines.
Eligibility
The three categories described below are intended to include investigators at all stages of their careers.
Expectations
Investigators supported by institutional funding are expected to participate in a variety of service activities that are designed to support the organization. This may include activities related to minority community engagement (such as town halls and/or community advisory boards) and minority media engagement to help us connect with research stakeholders and tell the stories of the great work being done on the campus.
Mechanism for Decision-Making
The HHRI Operations Management Committee will review and approve applications and report new awards to the HHRI’s Board of Directors. The HHRI Board of Directors and Operations Management Committee have the responsibility of ensuring the financial viability of the organization and the sustainability of its programs. If confronted with adverse financial circumstances that affect the viability of this program, HHRI management will consult with and secure the advice of the affected investigators.
Award Categories and Criteria
Three categories of Award are available. Their intent is to provide flexible criteria for support for investigators with different levels of experience. While these categories are based upon some of the same criteria used for University promotion, they are NOT intended to be used as a ranking system or to have any implications or importance within HHRI other than in determining eligibility for support under this mechanism.
To maintain good standing and eligibility, awardees must prepare an annual progress report and a final report, must list the HHRI as one of their academic, professional affiliations, and must acknowledge the support of the HHRI in publications.
Level 1: Early Investigator Award
- Investigators within 5 years of terminal training (PhD or equivalent, or postdoctoral training) at program entry.
- Appropriate training and environment. Applicants should have training that is appropriate and sufficient to allow them to function as Principal Investigators in their chosen field. The most important aspect of a suitable environment is a mentor who can provide intellectual guidance, access to facilities and equipment, and who can assure sufficient protected time for the development of a research career. On-site mentorship is preferred, but an off-site co-mentor may be acceptable if sufficient contact is feasible (e.g. a co-mentor at the University of Minnesota to provide intellectual support and collaboration, and an HHS collaborator or Department Chief to assure facilities and protected time). Applicants should be able to document that adequate space, equipment and technical support are available to support their research.
- Evidence of long-term external funding as PI. Sources of extramural support may include but are not limited to NIH, NSF, private funding agencies, and industry. Industry support for investigator-initiated studies is preferred over industry-initiated studies (e.g. Career Development Awards are appropriate).
- Commensurate publication record. The applicant’s publication record should be appropriate to the level of training and experience.
- Appropriate HHRI service. Participation on HHRI committees or other service activities is expected.
- State, National, or International Service. Applications should provide evidence of other activities that are vital to HHRI’s reputation as a leading research institution. Roles in governance of discipline-specific national organizations, including but not limited to: 1) committee membership, symposium organizer, session chair; 2) consultation to government agencies; 3) peer review activities, including but not limited to: journal manuscript reviewer, grant reviewer, member of editorial board.
Level 2: Mid-career Investigator Award
- Track record of external funding. Applicants should have evidence of past or present extramural competitive funding. Track record should include quality and quantity.
- Evidence of efforts to maintain external funding. While current funding is desirable, it is understood that continuous extramural funding is not always possible, and continuous extramural funding is not a specific requirement for this award. However, applicants will be asked to provide evidence of efforts to maintain or expand their research program through continued pursuit of extramural funding. Sources of extramural support may include those listed above for new investigators. Other related effort would be submission of patent applications arising from an investigators research program.
- Commensurate publication record. Quality and frequency of publications should be appropriate to the applicant’s level of experience.
- Evidence of program development and mentoring within HHRI. Applicants at this level should provide evidence of program development including the recruitment and mentoring of junior investigators, or graduate students. In addition to mentoring, evidence of program growth includes pursuing equipment or facility grants, NIH Career Development Awards for junior investigators or significant collaborations with clinical programs at HHS.
- Appropriate HHRI service. Participation on HHRI committees or other service activities is expected.
- State, National, or International Service. Applications should provide evidence of other activities that are vital to HHRI’s reputation as a leading research institution. Roles in governance of discipline-specific national organizations, including but not limited to: committee membership, symposium organizer, session chair. Consultation to government agencies. Peer review activities, including but not limited to: journal manuscript reviewer, grant reviewer, member of editorial board.
Level 3: Senior Investigator Award
- Track record of continued external funding. Applicants at this level should have a strong record of continued extramural funding.
- Evidence of efforts to maintain external funding. While current funding is desirable, it is understood that continuous extramural funding is not always possible, and continuous extramural funding is not a specific requirement for this award. However, applicants will be asked to provide evidence of efforts to maintain or expand their research program through continued pursuit of extramural funding. Sources of extramural support may include those listed above for new investigators. Other related effort would be submission of patent applications arising from an investigators research program.
- Commensurate publication record. Quality and frequency of publications should be appropriate to the applicant’s level of experience.
- Evidence of program development and mentoring within HHRI. Applicants at this level should provide evidence of program development including the recruitment and mentoring of mid-level and junior investigators, undergraduate or graduate students. In addition to mentoring, evidence of program growth includes obtaining awards for equipment or facility grants, NIH Career Development Awards for junior investigators or significant collaborations with clinical programs at HHS. At this stage, mentoring should be yielding independent investigators from within the program.
- Appropriate HHRI service. Participation on HHRI committee or other service activities is expected.
- State, National, or International Service. Applications should provide evidence of other activities that are vital to HHRI’s reputation as a leading research institution. Roles in governance of discipline-specific national organizations, including but not limited to: committee membership, symposium organizer, session chair. Consultation to government agencies. Peer review activities, including but not limited to: journal manuscript reviewer, grant reviewer, member of editorial board.