‘Personal Research Skills Development Plan’: At the start of the research training component, each MERIT Scholar formulates a ‘Personal Research Skills Development Plan’ together with his/her research Mentor. The purpose of this plan is to initiate a discussion between the Scholar and Mentor regarding the goals for the research project and the development of research-related professional skills. Throughout the research training, this plan serves as a template for the scholar’s annual review of progress toward the stated research goals. A copy of each MERIT Scholar’s personal research development plan and annual reviews is sent to the Program Director and Evaluator for evaluation.

 ‘Personal Teaching Skills Development Plan’: At the start of the teaching training component, each MERIT Scholar devises a ‘Teaching Instruction Plan’ together with the Co-Director for Teaching Instruction (sample plan included in Appendix A2). The purpose of this plan is to determine the scholar’s teaching-related goals and professional skills needed. Upon selection of the MERIT Teaching Mentor (described below), the MERIT Scholar discusses his/her ‘Teaching Instruction Plan’ with the Mentor. Throughout the teaching instruction component, this plan serves as a template for the scholar’s annual review of his/her progress toward the stated teaching goals. A copy of each MERIT Scholar’s ‘Teaching Instruction Plan’ and annual reviews is retained by the Co-Director for Teaching Instruction and Program Evaluator for evaluation.