Activities under ACEs: ACEs, Advancing Careers for Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs), is a central platform catering to the needs of diverse ESIs and junior faculty members.
Cancer Center faculty orientation: The Cancer Center will engage, welcome, and familiarize new faculty members and ESIs with training, research resources, and opportunities available through the Cancer Center.
ESI Huddle: Offered twice a year, this is an opportunity for ESIs to discuss individual development plans, successes, and challenges facilitated by Cancer Center leadership and Research Program Co-Leaders. The goal is to ensure that professional development programs are available to meet the ESIs’ needs.
Teatime Conversations: Teatime Conversations is a semi-annual, informal meeting to discuss projects, progress, and research strategies for diverse ESIs from underrepresented groups and to meet the Cancer Center and Research Program leaders to discuss issues in order to support the leadership pipeline for diverse early career researchers.
Mock Grant Reviews: In collaboration with the Research Program Co-Leaders, the Cancer Center coordinates internal and Mock Grant Reviews of ESI proposals to increase funding success. ESIs participate in a simulated study panel to collectively determine a proposal score and make recommendations regarding funding.
You R Ready: You R Ready is a multipart workshop designed to guide ESIs transitioning to independent R funding developed in collaboration with the UIC Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS). The process involves group grant workshops for faculty available funding mechanisms and tips for submitting successful grant applications. ESIs then get a think tank or research hurdle session to enrich their research proposal. Finally, participation in tailored Mock Grant Reviews will provide valuable feedback to the ESI to support the successful submission of R and R-equivalent grants.