BRE-SPAD at Meharry

/ Abstract The goal of the BRE-SPAD initiative at Meharry Medical College is to implement innovative training and funding programs to enhance research capacity and expand Meharry’s national presence in biomedical research. We hypothesize that a comprehensive support program, comprising advanced professional development and grant training, increased technical support, and targeted pilot funding and research incentives, will significantly boost student training, research productivity and overall success at Meharry. To address this hypothesis, we have established three specific aims. Aim 1 will provide advanced professional development and research training to break down psychological barriers, increase confidence and competence in extramural pursuits, improving funding success at all levels. Aim 2 will increase technical support, and protected time and incentives for research activities. Aim 3 will provide dedicated seed funding for research projects, prioritizing projects with high translational potential and those stemming from cross-disciplinary collaborations, supported by grant review committees to guide improvement. Accomplishing these aims will enhance Meharry’s competitiveness in the biomedical research enterprise, fostering a sustainable environment conducive to the development and advancement of faculty and trainee research careers in biomedical science. Project Number: 1UC2GM162929-01 | Fiscal Year: 2026 | NIH Institute/Center: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) | Principal Investigator: Pamela Martin (+2 co-PIs) | Institution: MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE, NASHVILLE, TN | Award Amount: $684,131 | Activity Code: UC2 | Study Section: Special Emphasis Panel[ZRG1 CDB-C (55)] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11290003