NIAMS Training Program Group leader and participants: – Madeline Turkeltaub, CRNP, Ph.D. Director, Division of Extramural Research Activities, NIAMS – Helen Lin, Ph.D. Scientific Review Officer, Review Branch, Division of Extramural Research Activities, NIAMS – Amanda Boyce, Ph.D. Program Director, Muscle Development and Physiology, Division of Musculoskeletal Diseases, NIAMS – Steven Nothwehr, Ph.D. AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow, Office of Science Policy and Planning, NIAMS – Teresa Do Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Division of Extramural Research Activities, NIAMS – Michael Toland, M.B.A. Science Program Analyst, Division of Extramural Research Activities, NIAMS – Wilma Peterman Cross, M.S. Deputy Director, Office of Science Policy and Planning, NIAMS 2008 NIAMS Scientific Retreat

NIAMS Training Program Background – Follow up to NIAMS training evaluation report (September 2007) – NIAMS training grant mechanisms: T32, F32, and K awards Main focus: issues surrounding the T32 mechanism Key discussion points – Options for encouraging trainees to obtain innovative training experiences – How to address challenges in the review of T32 and K applications – Effectiveness of the T32 in feeding and maintaining trainee pipeline – Whether NIAMS should shift emphasis from the institutionally awarded training grants, such as the T32, to individual awards 2008 NIAMS Scientific Retreat

Training Program Discussion Highlights There were varying points of view on whether the NIAMS T32 program has been successful. Some felt that NIAMS should not shift emphasis away from the T32 because of its vital role in feeding the pipeline. The benefits to departments go beyond providing a way to pay fellows’ salaries. Others felt that too many T32 slots are occupied by trainees who have no intention of pursuing research and that NIAMS should shift emphasis to other mechanisms. Mechanisms that could fill in for the T32 include K12 programs within CTSAs NIAMS Scientific Retreat

Points of Consideration If NIAMS decides to divert funding away from the T32 mechanism, it should consider increasing its investment in K awards rather than the F32. Any reduction in the T32 should be implemented in terms of the number of slots per program, rather than a reduction in the total number of programs. Additional evaluation of the training programs (particularly T32) would likely be valuable. One way that the NIH could help maintain the trainee pipeline is to address difficulties in recruiting scientists from abroad. These include the amount of time required for foreign trainees to obtain a green card NIAMS Scientific Retreat