As mentioned above in the cover letter, this has been an intense year of training grant writing. Amazingly we’ve had all three NIH training grants renewed with spectacular scores! Submitting these huge training grants to NIH was an exhausting process for coordinator Yong No and myself. We are especially proud of the score on our T32 for VMD-PhD training in infectious disease related research. A bit of bragging: the study section summary is below.

Resume and Summary of Discussion

This exceptional renewal application for a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) entitled “VMD-PhD training in infectious disease-related research” was submitted by University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Michael Atchison, PD. The application requested support for years 6 through 10. The program proposed to support predoctoral VMD (Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris) /PhD trainees, with PhD training through Biomedical Graduate Groups for Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology; Immunology; or Epidemiology and Biostatistics. As they discussed the application, reviewers highlighted principal strengths. Reviewers noted the program as one of the strongest in the nation and highlighted the exceptional need for veterinarian researchers. Reviewers noted the high retention of trainees in research and the program, as well as their high productivity, which demonstrated the program’s strong selection criteria. They also discussed the exceptionally strong feeder programs with a very large number of extremely qualified applicants. Trainers were noted for the exceptional quality of their research and mentoring records. A high level of value was added for the trainees through didactic courses, retreats, and visits to outside research facilities. The institutional commitment to veterinary training was seen as exceptional, and reviewers noted veterinary students are supported similarly to the institution’s medical students when pursuing research. The high number of underrepresented minority trainers compared to the national average was considered helpful to foster training of all students. Reviewers saw administrative forethought and pragmatism in the PD’s decision not to propose to increase the number of trainees. Weaknesses were considered essentially absent and included the relatively low number of trainers with DVM/VMD degrees and the lack of sufficient narrative about plans for trainers with expiring funding, which was allayed by the large pool of trainers. There were also concerns about the training environment given that females comprised 85% of trainees but only 24% of trainers, but this was allayed due to the program’s inclusion of females on the steering committee. Based upon the evaluation of scientific and technical merit, this application was received an Overall Impact/Priority score of 10. The committee recommended supporting 4 positions for VMD-PhD predoctoral trainees for each of five years.

OK, I know that was bragging. But we were really bragging a lot about our applicant pool, current students, faculty trainers and our alumni. Below is a graph of where our alumni go after completing the VMD-PhD program. About 88% are in research careers. I think that data is as good as any in the nation. Thus, our alumni (ie, you) are the biggest selling point for renewing these T32 grants. Thanks for all your work! You really make it an easy sale for training grant renewals.