Research Commons

Training Academy

Clinical Translation

Engagement of Communities

Special Modules

Partner Network

Responsible Conduct of Research
Our Responsible Conduct of Research page includes information on faculty refresher training plus a sample document describing Principles of Scientific Integrity (GRD717) according to the required NIH format. See also the library of successful T32 applications for examples.
Grant Samples
UAB researchers and staff can access a Sample Grant Library (BlazerID required) of successful T32 applications, made possible by award recipients who have generously shared their work. You may use the selected samples to guide your work in drafting:
- Research Training Program Plan
- Institutional Commitment to Training
- Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity
Project Panels
We are here to help you brainstorm ideas, generate research questions, meet possible collaborators, fine-tune study design and sharpen your proposals. Whether you want a multi-disciplinary panel for your proposal or a quick, more tailored group, we assemble whatever expertise is needed to work with you to strengthen your project. Meet with a team of scientific experts who have perused your application as a first level of peer review.
BERD
Our Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD) group provides investigator support in biostatistics. We are available to collaborate with any investigators needing assistance, including faculty members, post-docs, fellows, residents, and students.
Informatics Gateway
The Informatics Gateway is an enterprise-wide forum for collaborative project development. The Gateway gathers experts in the appropriate area of informatics, along with biostatisticians, methodologists, and clinical and translational scientists, to help investigators explore novel research directions.
Training programs should include training in big data and informatics. The NIH Data and Informatics Working Group recommended in its December 2012 report that adequate training in the quantitative skills to handle big data be required for future NRSA training grants (institutional and individual fellowships). In order to equip future biomedical researchers to access, organize, analyze and integrate biomedical big data, training may be needed in disciplines including computational biology, biostatistics, bioinformatics and the quantitative sciences.
Kaizen (R2T)
Have fun while you learn about rigor, reproducibility, and transparency! Our online R2T game, built on a Kaizen web-based platform developed by CCTS Informatics, helps investigators meet an NIH policy requiring formal training in R2T.
Drop-in Clinics
Join us for weekly Drop-In Clinic for free consultations in Biostats, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD), Biorepository, Bionutrition, Clinical Research Unit (CRU), and Institutional Review Board (IRB). Topics vary by week. No appointment necessary. Bring laptop and study related questions.
Mentoring ToolBox
An Individual Development Plan (IDP), recommended by the Office of Postdoctoral Education, can facilitate dialogue between mentor and postdocs to plan goals for training and is now strongly encouraged by the NIH for every graduate student and postdoc supported by an NIH grant, regardless of funding mechanism.
External Resources
National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN)
NRMN is a powerful social networking platform for students and researchers across the biomedical, behavioral, social, and clinical sciences to connect with one another for anything from general questions about research and professional development as a scientist to scheduling more formal mentorship appointments one-on-one or as a group.
NIH Instructions, Forms, FAQs:
- View NIH Forms and the SF424 Guide, including supplemental guidelines for NRSA (including T32) applications. The standard due dates for Ts are January, May and September 25th. Use this schedule as a guide to plan ahead — begin to prepare four to six months ahead of the deadline.
- The T-Kiosk is a one-stop place for all T-related program announcements as well as general policy announcements that affect training grants.
- Check the individual NIH Institutes and Centers for institute-specific policies and requirements for T32s, and suggested formats for the information to be included in the program plan. Programmatic contacts for each institute are listed at the end of the T32 Parent Program Announcement. The NIH posts a list of Frequently Asked Questions - NRSA Research Training Grants. A number of the individual institutes have created FAQs that have general applicability, such as NIAID.
- eRA Commons account: Need to apply for one or make a change to your role? Click here to view the form.
To find out about the latest learning opportunities as soon as they are announced, subscribe to CCTS Digest and check our Events and Recurring Events web pages.