Training & Education
Interested in Participating in a Training Program?
Vanderbilt has become a nationally recognized center for the training of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for research careers. Funding for these training programs comes from National Institutes of Health training grants (T32’s, K12’s, T35’s, etc.) and other sources of support. Some of the training programs support an educational curriculum such as participation in the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and the Master of Public Health programs. To learn more about Vanderbilt’s many students, residents, and fellows training programs, visit the Vanderbilt Clinical and Translational Research Scholars (VCTRS) Program website.
The VCTRS Program also provides junior faculty and fellowship level trainees who have been offered a faculty appointment who are committed to a career in clinical investigation, with a mentored research apprenticeship integrated with the didactic training of the MSCI or MPH programs.
Vanderbilt University also offers a one year, in-depth research experience available to Vanderbilt medical students: The Vanderbilt University Medical Scholars Program. The goal of the program is to foster an interest in research among medical students that may eventually lead to the pursuit of a career in academic medicine
Edge for Scholars
Edge for Scholars mission is to empower biomedical researchers to innovate, create, mentor, and make enduring contributions. The Edge office is your Vanderbilt home for academic faculty research career development across the spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical disciplines.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS [VFRS]
VUMC’s internal career development award.
EDGE FOR SCHOLARS BLOG [edgeforscholars.org]
Strategies to do research, get grants, negotiate for resources, refine writing, cultivate skills, and achieve goals.
Curated collection of books on career development available to borrow.
Discuss any topic related to working as an academic scientist.
Simulated NIH internal study section in advance of the major NIH cycles, reviewing all types of R, K, and F series as well as federal or foundation equivalents.
Monthly seminars for MD and PhD investigators completing training and establishing their careers. Topics include grants and funding, job search, and publishing.
Faculty with career development awards in translational science. Monthly seminar topics include tenure, project management, and leadership skills.
Software that builds an interactive concept map to find new research collaborations at Vanderbilt.
Software that automates tracking and analysis of career outcomes, including publications, funding, training activities, and other milestones.
Examples of successful F, K, and R awards, including resubmissions and reviewer comments.
Tools to prepare the best possible grant.
GRANT WRITING FUNDAMENTALS WORKSHOP
An online 12-week guided training to learn how to write a clearer, more persuasive grant application.
Small peer review groups to complete a manuscript in 6 to 8 weeks.
A tool for directors of training grants to track faculty participation in formal mentor training.