Basic Science Research Training Track

Applications Closed

The application period for the 2026 Basic Science Research Training Track has ended. Information about the 2027 application cycle, including deadlines and eligibility requirements, will be posted in the spring.

Program Overview

This 4-month program provides intensive training to UMSOM faculty and others across UMB 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 will be posted in Spring 2027.

Congratulations to the 2026 Basic Research Cohort!

Abdolrahim Abbasi, PhD – Institute of Human Virology, UMSOM
Larissa Alves, PhD – Comprehensive Dentistry, UMSOD
Montasir Elahi, PhD – Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UMSOM
Marta Gomes, PhD – Medicine/ Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, UMSOM
Maryam Karimi, PhD – Institute of Human Virology, UMSOM
Tao Ma, MD, PhD – Oncology and Diagnostic Science, UMSOD
Hayelom Mekonen, PhD – Neural and Pain Sciences, UMSOD
Leonardo Parra-Rivas, PhD – Neurology/UM-MIND, UMSOM
Long Wu, PhD – Surgery, UMSOM

Fall 2026 Draft Course Schedule

Week of	Topics Covered	Writing Assignments
Sept 1	Orientation Funding sources Anatomy of an NIH grant Specific Aims	Drafting Specific Aims
Sept 8	Project scope Data management and sharing Responding to reviewers Distinguished Faculty Forum	Drafting Specific Aims
Sept 15 & 22	Feedback on Specific Aims	Revising Specific Aims
Sept 29	IACUC Protocol Significance and Innovation sections Building, maintaining effective collaborations Distinguished Faculty Forum	Drafting Significance and Innovation
Oct 6	Feedback on Significance & Innovation	Revising Significance and Innovation
Oct 13	Approach Section Rigor and reproducibility in experimental design How to use visuals effectively in your grants Using AI effectively and ethically in your research	Outlining approach section
Oct 20	Approach presentations	Drafting full approach section based on feedback
Oct 27	Negotiation Conflict resolution Staffing your lab, creating an inclusive research environment Identifying a mentoring team, developing your own mentoring skills	Drafting full grant
Nov 3	CARTI success stories Developing an elevator pitch, how to market yourself Preparing for graduation How to craft a budget
Nov 10	Maintaining and diversifying your funding portfolio How to write a Summary Statement and Narrative for your NIH grant How to review a grant, NIH style Distinguished Faculty Forum	Preparing draft graduation talk script, slides, structured abstract
Nov 17	Small group workshop on specific grant sections/feedback w/ CARTI leaders	Revising grant based on feedback
Nov 24	Thanksgiving week (no class)
Dec 1	Graduation Dress Rehearsal Work on Grant Reviews for Mock Study Section	Finalizing Research abstract
Dec 8	Mock study section	Finalizing graduation scripts and slides Completing course survey
Dec 15	Graduation

*Schedule subject to changes due to lecturer availability