Request for Information (RFI): To Solicit Input for the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Strategic Plan for Training and Career Development

Notice Number: NOT-GM-10-102

Key Dates
Release Date: March 2, 2010 
Response Date: April 21, 2010

Issued by
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/)

This is a time-sensitive Request for Information (RFI) directed at obtaining input, electronically through a Web site and at a series of regional meetings and a webinar, to assist the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) in developing its strategic plan for research training and career development.

This RFI is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation for applications or an obligation of the part of the government.  The government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for the government’s use of that information. The government will not pay for travel to or attendance at the regional stakeholder meetings.

Background

NIGMS has a long-standing commitment to research training and biomedical workforce development. As science, the conduct of research, and workforce needs evolve, we want to be sure that our training and career development activities most effectively meet current needs and anticipate emerging opportunities, and that they contribute to building a highly capable, diverse biomedical research workforce. To this end, we are engaged in a strategic planning process to examine our existing activities and articulate strategies to help us build and sustain the workforce that the nation needs for improving health and global competitiveness.

To assure the broadest possible input, NIGMS is inviting university and college faculty members, university and college administrators, current and former predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees, industry representatives, scientific organizations, and other interested parties to respond to a series of questions, listed below. 

From March 2, 2010 to April 21, 2010, you may give us your input on our Web site (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/StrategicPlan/) in response to the series of questions below. These submissions will be completely anonymous.

  1. What constitutes “success” in biomedical research training from the perspectives of an individual trainee, an institution, and society?
  1. What can NIGMS do to encourage an optimal balance of breadth and depth in research training?
  1. What can NIGMS do to encourage an appropriate balance between research productivity and successful outcomes for the mentor’s trainees?
  1. What can NIGMS do through its training programs to promote and encourage greater diversity in the biomedical research workforce?
  1. Recognizing that students have different career goals and interests, should NIGMS encourage greater flexibility in training, and if so, how?
  1. What should NIGMS do to ensure that institutions monitor, measure, and continuously improve the quality of their training efforts?
  1. Do you have other comments or recommendations regarding NIGMS-sponsored training?

Responses are limited to 500 words per question.

You may also provide input on these questions in person at one of four regional stakeholder meetings. The dates and locations of these meetings are:

Thursday, April 29, 2010, in Philadelphia
Wednesday, May 12, 2010, in San Francisco
Wednesday, May 25, 2010, in Chicago
Friday, June 4, 2010, in Atlanta

Register to attend one of these meetings at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/StrategicPlan/.

If you are a predoctoral or postdoctoral trainee, you may also participate in a webinar on June 11, 2010.  Register for the webinar at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/StrategicPlan/.

Inquiries

Inquiries concerning the Notice may be directed to:

Judith H. Greenberg, Ph.D.
Director, Division of Genetics and Developmental Biology
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
National Institutes of Health
Building 45, Room 2As25
45 Center Drive, MSC 6200
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6200
301-594-0943
greenbej@nigms.nih.gov


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