Dale D. Chitwood, PhD¹, Lisa A. Metsch, PhD², Clyde B. McCoy, PhD³, M. Isabel Fernandez, PhD², J. Bryan Page, PhD⁴, Sarah Messiah, MPH³, and Kathleen Keck, MBA³. (1) Department of Sociology, University of Miami, Sociology Research Center, 5665 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33146-0719, (305) 284-6176, m.comerford@miami.edu, (2) Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1801 NW. 9th Avenue, Suite 313, Miami, FL 33136, (3) Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, 1801 NW 9th Ave (D-93), Miami, FL 33136, (4) Department of Anthropology, University of Miami, 102 Merrick Building, Coral Gables, FL 33124

Purpose: To describe the use of shared resources in the new investigator development program of the Drug Abuse and AIDS Research Center (DAARC), University of Miami that assists faculty in their initiation of research on drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. The program supports the planning and implementation of collaborative research that produces extramural grants. Shared resources are essential to recruit and mentor early career faculty who have not received extramural awards in the field.

Method: Each year DAARC funds on a competitive basis three to four developmental awards to eligible investigators. Applicants submit NIH-format proposals to DAARC for 12-month funding and related shared resources support. Senior investigators provide mentoring during proposal development, summary sheet review of all applications, and guidance throughout the duration of funded projects. Each awardee is formally linked with an experienced primary mentor, the Bio-Statistical Research Center for analytic support, administrative staff for pre-award development and IRB compliance, the Outreach & Assessment Center for data collection and intervention components. Periodic meetings of awardees and the team of senior mentors review progress and resolve research problems. Mentors assist the preparation of papers for publication and presentation. The final product of each project is a grant proposal to an external agency that is peer-reviewed in-house before submission.

Outcome: Seven new investigators in multiple disciplines have been funded and mentored through this program. One investigator recently received his first RO1, a second is revising her grant proposal for resubmission to NIH, and others are writing proposals and completing their initial awards.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this poster session, participants will be able to

• Identify key shared resources that benefit drug abuse and AIDS behavioral research projects.
• Understand the components and processes used to support and mentor new investigators.
• Discuss why the mentoring process and the use of shared resources are key for young investigators in drug abuse and AIDS.

Keywords: Drug Abuse, Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.