Basic Science Research Training Track

Now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 Basic Research Training Track!

Applications are due Monday, May 11, 2026 by 11:59pm EST.

CARTI seeks applications for the 2026 Basic Science Research Training Track. This 4-month program provides intensive training to UMB faculty on skills critical for launching an independent research career and securing research funding. Training will include didactic & grant writing instruction, experiential learning, a capstone grant application, and mock study section. CARTI scholars are required to complete each element of the training schedule, including completion of an individual development plan (IDP) and submission of a grant application within 6 months of participation. 

See FAQ page for details >

The proposed training schedule for CARTI scholars is as follows:

 

Congratulations to the 2025 Basic Research Cohort! 

James Ahodantin, PhD, Pharmacology, Physiology and Drug Development, IHV

Daniel R. Bergman, PhD, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Drug Development, IGS

Victor Borda, PhD, Medicine, IGS, IHC

Prajwal Ciryam, MD, PhD, Neurology

Mariano Colon-Caraballo, PhD, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences

Timothy D. Faw, DPT, PT, PhD, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Neurobiology, UM-MIND

Arshi Khanam, PhD, Medicine, IHV

Joe Kodama, MD, PhD, Orthopaedics

Zohreh Safari, PhD, Pediatrics. CBOTH

Fanklin R. Toapanta, MD, PhD, Medicine, CVD

Pan-Yen Tseng, BVM, MS, PhD, UMSON

Nicholas J. Weir, PhD, Pharmacology,  Physiology, and Drug Development

 

Fall 2025 Draft Course Schedule (2026 schedule will be uploaded shortly)

Week of	Topics Covered	Writing Assignments
Sept 2	Orientation Funding sources Anatomy of an NIH grant Specific Aims
Sept 9	Project scope Responding to reviewers Significance and Innovation	Specific Aims
Sept 16	Feedback on Specific Aims
Sept 23	Pathways to success Developing an elevator pitch about your research Research Approach	Specific Aims revisions
Sept 30	Rigor and reproducibility in experimental design Writing an IACUC protocol How to use figures, tables, and charts effectively Data management and sharing	Significance and Innovation
Oct 7	Feedback on Significance and Innovation
Oct 14	Training plan Repurposing an NIH application for non-federal funders Summary and Narrative How to craft a budget	Research Approach
Oct 21	Scholar presentations on Research Approach
Oct 28	Negotiations Staffing your lab and creating an inclusive environment Conflict resolution	Writing, editing, rewriting full proposals
Nov 4	Building and maintaining effective collaborations Feedback sessions	Preparing draft graduation talk script, slides, structured abstract
Nov 11	Final project presentations
Nov 18	Final grant proposals due
Nov 25	[Thanksgiving Week]	Finalizing graduation abstracts
Dec 2	Mock study section	Finalizing graduation scripts and slides
Dec 9	Graduation

*Schedule subject to changes due to lecturer availability