Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for NIDCR Mentoring Network to Support a Diverse Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research Workforce (UE5 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Key Dates

• December 12, 2018 - NIDCR Mentoring Network to Support a Diverse Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research Workforce (UE5 Clinical Trial not allowed). See NOFO  RFA-DE-19-007. 

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

This Notice is to inform the biomedical research workforce community that the NIDCR intends to reissue the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) RFA-DE-19-007, the NIDCR Mentoring Network to Support a Diverse Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research Workforce (UE5 Clinical Trial not allowed).   When reissued, the NOFO is expected to use the UE5 cooperative agreement activity code and accept new and renewal applications. Modifications to this NOFO may include a title change and clarification of eligible mentees.

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects.

The NOFO is expected to be published in Winter 2023/2024 with an expected application due date in Spring, 2024.  

This NOFO is intended to facilitate and provide opportunities for structured interactions among investigators (mentors), who are committed to mentoring postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty (mentees) who are from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from groups underrepresented in the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences to enhance the mentees’ grants writing skills, professional development, and successful pursuit of dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) research careers. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the NIDCR recognizes the need to diversify the scientific workforce by enhancing the participation of individuals from groups identified as underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences (collectively termed "biomedical") research. Individuals from all backgrounds deserve equitable opportunities to engage in the biomedical research enterprise to pursue their scientific interests and further their careers. Diversity at all levels — from the kinds of science to the organizations and regions where the research is conducted, and the backgrounds of the people conducting it — is integral to scientific excellence and strengthens the research enterprise.  Research shows that diverse teams working together and capitalizing on innovative ideas and distinct perspectives outperform homogeneous  teams, (see NOT-OD-20-031). 

Given the need to build and sustain a dental, oral, and craniofacial biomedical workforce, the NIDCR Mentoring Network to Support a Diverse Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research Workforce  funding opportunity is being continued with its focus on individuals transitioning from postdoctoral to their first independent scientific position, e.g., tenure track, and preparing for their first independent NIH research grant or equivalent peer reviewed research grant or award. The NIDCR Mentoring Network(s) will complement and leverage existing career development programs by engaging cohorts of individuals at this career transition point. In addition, NIDCR Mentoring Network(s) are expected to lead to a nationwide network of DOC research mentors and participants that can augment individual research training and career development experiences.

Anticipated Characteristics of an NIDCR Mentoring Network: 

• Engages NIDCR supported investigators who participate as mentors.​
• Develops cohorts of dental, oral, and craniofacial early career investigators from diverse backgrounds, such as those from underrepresented groups or from organizations that have received disproportionately less NIH research funding.​
• Provides opportunities for participants to engage in mentorship, mentor training, and development of grantsmanship skills.​
• Enhances professional development relevant to early career investigators preparing to transition to independent investigator positions.​
• Offers complementary programming that focuses on cohorts of individuals at the career transition point between postdoctoral fellow/junior faculty member and independent investigator, and with the intent to foster success in this transition.

Funding Information

Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education
Private Institution of Higher Education
Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education)
Small Business
For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business)
State Government
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)
County governments
Independent school districts
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization (Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
U.S. Territory or Possession
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)
Regional Organization

Applications are not being solicited at this time. 

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Anissa J. Brown, Ph.D.
National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Email: anissa.brown@nih.gov