To provide targeted mentoring and career development support for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow, early stage, or new investigator faculty from a structurally marginalized group.

• Postdoctoral fellows with at least 1 year of postdoctoral experience and assistant professors considered an early stage and/or new investigator
• Self identifies as a member of a structurally marginalized community based on NSF/NIH definition of under-represented minority
• Has an appointment at Emory University, UGA, or Spelman.
• Demonstrated commitment to a research program focused on children’s environmental health relevant to structurally marginalized communities
• Willingness to commit to an enhanced mentorship program and to submit an NIH grant application (K or R as appropriate) within 18 months of appointment as a charter investigator

CHARTER fellows will work with CHARTER leadership to develop a three-person mentoring team, consisting of faculty from the applicant’s home institution and CHARTER’s partner institutions. The mentoring team will represent a variety of disciplines and career stages (mid-level,senior). The team will work with the CHARTER Investigator to develop a meeting schedule, which can include one-on-one and group meetings, and should occur at least three times per year and as needed. The mentoring group will partner with the CHARTER Investigator to create an individual development plan (IDP) and a timeline to consider for the submission of a K- or R-level application. They will be available to provide guidance on other aspects of the person’s academic career as well. The team’s function may include technical and research implementation support (e.g., assay, epidemiologic, biostatistical, data management, research translation, community engagement), laboratory or research group management, structured feedback on written and oral presentations, interim and final results review, manuscript and grant application feedback, and guidance on research translation and dissemination. Additional mentorship will be targeted based on career stage. For instance, the team of a postdoctoral fellow might help with the search, application, and negotiation process for faculty positions; for faculty, they might support promotion and tenure proceedings.

The CHARTER Development investigator will receive up to $10,000 to support career development efforts. planned in conjunction with their mentoring team. The goal of this support is to provide flexible resources for the investigator to pursue opportunities suited to their career and program trajectory. As examples, these resources could be used to obtain preliminary data or begin engagement with a community partner. These resources also could be used to attend workshops and conferences appropriate for career development and networking, such as grant writing workshops or small, networking focused scientific conferences (e.g., Gordon conferences). The funds could support a scientific retreat or outreach to specific outside experts who could help the investigator develop their research program or build collaborations. Awardees will receive additional support to cover the cost of attendance at the NIEHS Children’s Environmental Health Research Translation Centers annual meeting as well as the NIEHS P30 Core Center’s annual meeting.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed at monthly CHARTER Executive Committee meetings.

Applicants should submit for following documents:‍

• NIH Biosketch
• 2 Page description of your research program plan including information on your children’s environmental health focus relevant to structurally marginalized communities and how you will benefit from the resources provided
• Budget for use of up to $10,000
• Reference letter from advisor (postdoctoral fellows) or department chair (faculty)
• All materials should be combined into a single pdf and emailed to Jasmine.irish@emory.edu

Please reach out to Dr. Dana Barr at dbbarr@emory.edu with questions about the program.

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