Lehigh University's Office of Research received a $120,205 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Biological Infrastructure under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074), effective October 1, 2025, with completion scheduled for August 31, 2026. The award funds the establishment and initial development of the CURE Teaching Assistant Professional Development to Enhance Scientific Teaching, Research, and Mentoring Capacity (TAPESTRY) Network, which addresses the absence of organized professional development (PD) resources for teaching assistants (TAs) and laboratory coordinators who lead Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs).
The primary deliverables include: (1) creation and recruitment infrastructure for the CURE TAPESTRY Network to engage diverse CURE facilitators; (2) a comprehensive literature review and national survey characterizing the current landscape of TA PD opportunities; (3) design, implementation, and evaluation of an innovative year-long fellowship program for CURE TA PD facilitators that produces field-tested PD resources; (4) development of a publicly accessible, curated repository of CURE TA PD materials; and (5) launch and assessment of an edX "train-the-trainer" massive open online course (MOOC) for CURE TA PD facilitators. These products are designed to advance professional development knowledge and best practices while strengthening the pedagogical capacity of individuals responsible for leading undergraduate research experiences.