Research Career Development & Education

We help investigators create impactful programs and gain sustained, independent external funding. We provide connections and resources to make it easier to initiate and conduct meaningful pediatric research. Key activities and programs include:

Investigator Support

• Mentored Research Development Awards (MRDAs) with protected time and mentoring to develop and submit competitive grant applications. 
• Purchase equipment or database access through our program for faculty starting new research (FASTAR).
• Junior Investigators Network (JIN) to facilitate peer mentoring and collaboration among early career researchers. 
• Pathways to Success programs that include self-guided tools and short-term coaching for guidance on processes and procedures. 
• Networking and mentoring opportunities through peer subgroups within JIN, tailored to specific research interests.
• Programs to enhance grant writing skills, provide proposal reviews and strengthen competitiveness.
• Editorial services to support the preparation and submission of presentations and manuscripts.

Training & Mentoring

• Mentor training based on evidenced-based approaches from the Center for Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research best practices. 
• Focus on supporting diversity, equity and inclusion mentoring and professional development activities. 
• Undergraduate and graduate research programs that build on decades of experience.
• Research connections for graduate students and medical trainees. 

Collaborations

We establish collaboration with other IDeA programs to synergistically support translational, preclinical, and clinical research.

Core Funding Programs

In the Delaware Valley, faculty development is supported through three major external grants. 

Institutional Development Award (IDeA) States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network | Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) — A program supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Purpose: To advance multisite pediatric clinical research across IDeA states to improve child health outcomes.

Delaware Clinical and Translational Research (CTR) ACCEL Program| Accelerating Clinical and Translational Research 

Purpose: To support development of clinical and translational researchers through mentorship and resources.

Delaware IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) | Delaware's Biomedical Research Catalyst

Purpose: To building research capacity and foster collaboration across Delaware institutions. 

External Partners

Moving beyond our walls, we collaborate with scientific leaders from other institutions. This expands our reach and advances innovation for the collective good of children everywhere. We currently work with:

• ChristianaCare, Wilmington, Del. Susan Birkhoff, Ph.D, RN and Lee Pachter, DO
• Delaware State University, Dover, Del. R. Christopher Mason, PhD  and Jarid Goodman, PhD
• University of Delaware, Newark, Del. Amy Griffin, PhD and Molly Sutherland, PhD 

Our program has demonstrable impacts on grant acquisition and research productivity. In fact, we have helped:

• Provide 43 Mentored Research Development Awards (MRDA) to 39 scholars. 
• Increase the number of practicing Nemours Children's Clinicians receiving pilot grant funding. For example, in the first 15 years of the INBRE pilot program in Delaware, only one Nemours clinician received an award. Since 2019, there have been eight more.
• Gain high satisfaction ratings for activities and resources based on surveys and focus groups. Over 90% find offerings having a positive impact on careers and research development.
• Institutionalize successful programs and approaches at Nemours.
• Support publications and presentations from investigators.
• Assist investigators to gain independence and independent NIH funding.
• Submit grants as principal investigators (PI) or co-PI on collaborative team science projects by former MRDA scholars. Learn more. 
• Mentor and develop MRDA scholars, helping them become mentors themselves.
• Assist in attaining leadership roles including participating in NIH study sections.

Pediatric clinical trials and research studies are important for advancing medical knowledge and improving care for kids around the world. Our researchers lead clinical research to study new drugs, treatments, devices and techniques. We also contribute to national registries and collaboratives to further research in this area. Find a clinical trial or study now.