Abstract The biomedical research enterprise is rapidly expanding and evolving, and conventional training programs are often inadequate to create employees that are effectively trained to thrive in many programs. Additionally, underrepresented minorities continue to comprise a very small population of this trained workforce. This application aims to help address these issues, and is seeking to support a previous R25-funded Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) training program at Virginia Tech (VT). The training program will partner with 15 departments and several interdisciplinary graduate education programs across VT, and takes advantage of VT’s long history of academic excellence. Historically, the VT-IMSD predoctoral program was very successful, resulting in 40 PhD recipients in disciplines such as biomedical engineering, immunology, neuroscience, infectious diseases, and drug/bio/ pharmaceutical chemistry. We propose to use a training approach that has yielded exemplary outcomes, including a significantly improved PhD degree completion rate for UMRs compared to the national average of 60%. Our proposed training plan involves three structured phases designated as “Moving-in, Moving-through, and Moving-out.” Each phase involves structured and purposeful engagement with faculty and alumni, and a purposeful cohort-based approach to trainee development. This T32 program aims to develop adaptable, highly trained and resilient, diverse, and transdisciplinary PhD students using the following aims: 1. Recruit 5 URM doctoral scholars each year for a total of 25 over five years to successfully complete PhDs. 2. Prepare scholars to effectively compete for postdocs or biomedical research jobs through activities that build confidence in being a scientist and effective skill development. 3. Use the VT IMSD/PREP Alumni Network to advance our training goals. Training program recruits will participate in activities that include lab rotations, foundation courses, seminars, and peer mentoring. These activities will provide opportunities for scholars to develop skill sets that include diverse research experience, oral and written communication, effective grant and scientific writing, diversifying job interest, surviving the challenges of a doctoral program, and, ultimately, a biomedical research career. The scholars will also participate in scientific and career development activities that include a biweekly IMSD forum, a weekly program area seminar, a monthly multicultural assembly, and an annual research symposium. A robust evaluation plan is in place to thoroughly assess implemented initiatives and program outcomes. Illustrious alumni from previous training cohorts, five of whom are Assistant Professors and others who are research scientists at prestigious institutions and industry will form our Advisory Committee. The 37 distinguished faculty with outstanding URM mentoring records and state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research programs funded by NIH and other federal agencies including NSF, DOD, and USDA, are enthusiastic and ready to support this critically needed program. The new IMSD leadership and unwavering institutional support will ensure the success of this T32 program.

Narrative The proposed IMSD program will develop and train successful PhD students with an emphasis on underrepresented minorities, and impart the skills needed to succeed in PhD programs in Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences and Engineering at a leading R1 university. The skills developed will include training in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, critical thinking, mentoring and advising, networking, achieving work-life balance, and effective writing and communication. These activities continue to positively impact the number of minorities who go on to receive PhDs and subsequently pursue careers in the Biomedical or Behavioral Sciences and Engineering research, which is an important goal of the NIGMS.