BRE-spad at meharry

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences awarded Meharry Medical College a cooperative agreement of $1.068 million on March 15, 2026, under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859). The award funds the BRE-SPAD Initiative, which delivers advanced professional development and grant training to address psychological barriers to extramural funding pursuits and increase confidence and competence among faculty and trainees. The initiative provides increased technical support and protected time for research activities, and distributes dedicated seed funding for biomedical research projects, prioritizing work with high translational potential and cross-disciplinary collaboration. A grant review committee guides project improvement. The award performance period runs through January 31, 2031, with work performed in Nashville, Tennessee. The program aims to enhance Meharry's research capacity and competitiveness in biomedical research, fostering a sustainable environment for faculty and trainee research career advancement.

Abstract

The goal of the BRE-spad initiative at meharry medical college is to implement innovative training and funding programs to enhance research capacity and expand meharry's national presence in biomedical research. We hypothesize that a comprehensive support program, comprising advanced professional development and grant training, increased technical support, and targeted pilot funding and research incentives, will significantly boost student training, research productivity and overall success at meharry. To address this hypothesis, we have established three specific aims. Aim 1 will provide advanced professional development and research training to break down psychological barriers, increase confidence and competence in extramural pursuits, improving funding success at all levels. Aim 2 will increase technical support, and protected time and incentives for research activities. Aim 3 will provide dedicated seed funding for research projects, prioritizing projects with high translational potential and those stemming from cross-disciplinary collaborations, supported by grant review committees to guide improvement. Accomplishing these aims will enhance meharry's competitiveness in the biomedical research enterprise, fostering a sustainable environment conducive to the development and advancement of faculty and trainee research careers in biomedical science.