EDUCATION & TRAINING

Whether you’re new to the research environment or a veteran researcher hoping to brush up on the latest in biomedical research training, the Medical School Office of Research can help point you in the right direction. Take advantage of the vast array of research knowledge and talent throughout the Medical School and across campus with the education and training resources listed below.

The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) provides a wealth of services across campus to enable and enhance clinical and translational research. Home to U-M’s NIH Clinical Translational Science Award, MICHR offers education and training to research teams here and beyond.

Grant Services & Analysis offers many training and educations resources, including the the annual R01 Boot Camp. Their Research Development team also provides proposal editing, manages limited submissions, develops online resources, presents various proposal-related workshops, oversees bridging funding and supports large-scale proposal efforts.

Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI) offers educational programs and services geared toward actively nurturing a culture of commercialization among faculty and students. With the ultimate goal of impacting patient health, their programs are offered on various platforms and with various levels of engagement to assist with translating an idea into something of impact.

The six Institutional Review Boards of the University of Michigan Medical School (IRBMED) are responsible for monitoring compliance with federal and state laws, university policies, and ethical principles governing human subjects research in order to protect the rights and welfare of all participants in research studies conducted throughout Michigan Medicine.

The Clinical Trials Support Office (CTSO) provides central infrastructure & strategic oversight to administratively service the seven trans-departmental Clinical Trial Support Units (CTSUs) that are aligned around common areas of research. 

The Data Office for Clinical & Translational Research (DOCTR) offers a menu of resources to assist with compliant, secure access to patient health data. They offer investigators easy access, through a self-serve tool or custom data pulls, to records from 3.9+ million patients.

FUNDING EDUCATION

Find Funding Opportunities

In partnership with the Medical School Office of Research, the U-M Office of Research & Sponsored Projects, U-M Foundation Relations, and Michigan Medicine Corporate & Foundation Relations, the U-M Library maintains the Research Funding & Grants Guide, a one-stop-shop for research funding resources. The site is a central, campus-wide portal for finding internal and external funding opportunities and for consultations on how to personalize your search and stay informed. Not sure where to start? Schedule a consultation with an Informationist. The U-M Library also offers training events throughout the year. 

Research Development coordinates internal competitions for limited submission grants to foundations, where all opportunities are hosted on the Medical School Competition Space. They also manage the bridge funding program via the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), which helps support continuity of faculty research between grants.

The Michigan Medicine Corporate and Foundation Relations team can assist in the funding process, including providing direct communication with the funding entity to obtain guidance on project appeal/applicability to the funder, providing examples of previously funded U-M proposals, and answering general faculty questions. For a wide range of Foundation and Corporate funding opportunities, please visit their Foundations Competition Space.

For more information on finding funding, visit the Funding & Proposal Development page on the Research Project Lifecycle.

Commercialization

Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI) gives researchers valuable guidance and support as they navigate the path to successful commercialization. FFMI hosts various commercialization events throughout the year. 

Are you a researcher with an innovative idea that could impact health? Schedule an Idea Consultation.

GRANT WRITING SUPPORT

Grant Writing Workshops

Research Development hosts multiple grant writing workshops throughout the year. These workshops often cover writing grant proposals for all types of grants, including NIH, NSF, and foundations. To view the current workshops, visit the Events & Workshops page.

The Office of Faculty Affairs & Faculty Development aims to support faculty skill acquisition in teaching, research, and leadership as well as navigating the complex organizational structures in which they practice. Towards this goal, they offer multiple trainings and workshops throughout the year with regards to research and scholarship. For more information, view their upcoming workshops. 

Research Development Consultations

Research Development Core consultations through the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) provide personalized support and advice for your grant proposals or research ideas. Their FREE one-hour in-person consultations can help you improve your research and funding success and are available to any researcher at the University of Michigan. For more information, visit their Research Development Consultations page.

Grant Editing Resources

Research Development maintains a list of freelance editors and freelance graphics specialists. You may contact these individuals directly for freelance work for various types of writing, e.g., grant proposals, manuscripts, IRB applications, dissertations, or graphic design and medical illustration. Please refer to the individuals’s CV/resume for more information about his or her expertise and experience. If interested, please contact the editor to negotiate the work statement and payment arrangements.

Mock Study Section

The Mock Study Section event, offered through the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR), helps participants understand how NIH grant reviewers think. Participants will discuss actual twelve-page K and R grants (already submitted in some version to the NIH), learning what happens behind the closed doors in a real K or R grant review. It simulates an NIH study section in every detail (including the work expected). Participants will be assigned a grant to review in either clinical and translational research or health services research. For more information, visit their Mock Study Section page.

K Writing Workshop

The three-part K Writing Workshop series, offered through the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR), will help participants get peer critique and feedback from senior faculty who are experienced in NIH study section thinking. Participants should be currently writing or preparing to write a K Award grant, as they will exchange drafts of their proposals during the sessions. This series usually takes place in the fall. For more information, visit their K Writing Workshop page.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT & MENTORING PROGRAMS

Faculty Development

The Office of Faculty Development has developed a comprehensive, competency-based curriculum to meet the challenges associated with research, teaching, and managing in the academic health care environment. Development opportunities include courses with specific learning objectives, mentoring education and support, and on-site, customizable programs. To see all upcoming workshops and events, visit their website.

Pre-KL2 Award

The MICHR Pre-KL2 Award (also known as the J award) is a new multidisciplinary career development program designed to prepare clinician scientists for beginning the process of developing independent careers in translational research. Each awardee receives $85,000 over two years to carry out their translational research. Participants are prepared to go on to apply for the MICHR K Award or their own independent K Award. For more information, visit their Pre-KL2 Award page.

R01 Boot Camp

Research Development's Mentored Research Academy: R01 Boot Camp is a multifaceted program designed to help faculty members receive their first R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Senior faculty with strong track records of NIH funding guide groups of mentees through the proposal development process, while the team structure encourages peer support and feedback. This 10-month program runs from January to October each year. 

Program Accelerating Commercialization Education (PACE)

Are you an innovator with a groundbreaking idea, but unfamiliar with the product development and entrepreneurial arenas? Whether you’re a med student, fellow, clinician, or seasoned researcher, Program Accelerating Commercialization Education (PACE) from Fast Forward Medical Innovation offers a broad spectrum of innovation and commercialization educational opportunities. PACE provides valuable mentorship and will give you a deep, real-world understanding of strategy and tactics helping you gain valuable insight into successfully translating your research to market.

Not sure where to start? Talk to one of their team members for advice and guidance during their Biomedical Innovation Office Hours.

Postdoctoral Translational Scholar Program

MICHR's Postdoctoral Translational Scholars Program is a multidisciplinary career development award designed to prepare individuals with a Ph.D. in a biomedical science or social science discipline for independent careers in translational research. The program invites a broad array of scientists from disciplines across the university to apply.

REGULATORY TRAINING

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training

U-M follows federal, state, and university guidelines regarding Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training for principal investigators, key personnel, and students. The RCR guidelines may apply to a specific type of research compliance (e.g., conflict of interest, animal care and use, human subjects protection) or to topics related the proper conduct of research (e.g., authorship). 

Environment, Health & Safety Education

The U-M Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) website contains menu options to view courses, requirements for safety training (e.g., laboratory, radiation, protective clothing), and contact information. If you work in a research laboratory or are responsible for those working in a lab, you will need to take one or more compliance courses from EHS.

IRBMED Education

IRBMED’s Education Program was designed and developed through collaboration with members of the research community. They offer a variety of educational opportunities, both in-person and online. View the current education programs below.

University of Michigan IRB Collaborative (U-MIC) Presentations

The University of Michigan's IRBs are committed to providing educational materials online, as well as in the classroom. U-MIC presentations are short videos and voiceover slide shows that address topics relating both to ethics in human subjects research and to IRB procedures. To view the the more than 70 presentations, visit the U-MIC page. 

Human Subjects Protection Training

U-M's online Program for Education and Evaluation in Responsible Research and Scholarship (PEERRS) offers two courses that fulfill regulatory requirements for training in the protection of human subjects in research. U-M employees and students have access to the PEERRS menu in U-M's My LINC training system via their uniqname and UMICH (level 1) password. Completion of at least one of these courses is a requirement for IRB approval.

  • Human Subjects Protection - Biomedical & Health
  • Human Subjects Protection - Social & Behavioral

For more information, visit the Human Research Protection Program Education Resources page.

Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Operations Manual

As a U-M investigator or research staff working on a human subjects study, you are expected to following the federal, state, and university policies regarding the protection of human subjects. The HRPP Operations Manual outlines the U-M policy in detail. For more information, visit the Human Research Protection Program page.

Animal Care & Use Training

Maintaining a comprehensive training and education program is essential to the University’s ongoing commitment to sustained excellence and compassion in animal care and use. Accordingly, all personnel who work with animals in either research, testing, or teaching receive training in the proper care and use of research animals PRIOR to beginning their work.

To ensure that procedures are conducted by experienced and qualified personnel, and that the highest animal welfare standards are maintained at all times, the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) requires that certain animal care and use training classes be completed based on the specific tasks listed in an animal use protocol. For more information, visit the Animal Care & Use Training page.

ClinicalTrials.gov

Offered by the Medical School's Office of Regulatory Affairs, the ClinicalTrials.gov hands-on training sessions provide instruction on how ClinicalTrials.gov can be used at various stages of the proposal development process. 

MICHR Resources

The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) offers regulatory support training and education throughout the year. To view their current resources, visit their Regulatory Support page. 

CLINICAL TRIALS

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Training

U-M offers two options for basic good clinical practice (GCP) training for clinical trial study team members:

  1. For biomedical clinical trails, U-M offers GCP training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). To access the CITI GCP course, you must first create a CITI account (free) and affiliate with the University of Michigan within CITI. 
  2. For social/behavioral clinical trials, the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) offers the NCATS Social and Behavioral Best Practices course in My LINC. All U-M employees and students have access to U-M's My LINC training system through their uniqname and UMICH (Level 1) password. See the My LINC step-by-step instructions for details on how to register for the MICHR GCP course.  

Orientation for Clinical Investigators

Orientation for Clinical Investigators provides faculty with an overview of information, resources, and tools necessary to comply with regulations related to clinical research and will help efficiently navigate the University’s research enterprise. This seminar is for faculty new to the institution or new to clinical research, and there is no charge to the participant or department for participation.

Participants will learn about IRBMED, regulatory affairs, conflict of interest, audits and monitoring, ClinicalTrials.gov, clinical research finances, and U-M resources for clinical trials research – including the Clinical Trials Support Units. For more information, visit the CTSO Training & Education page.

Clinical Trials Support Units (CTSUs)

Clinical Trials Support Units (CTSUs) are business units that partner with investigators and their teams to ensure the timely and efficient activation and execution of clinical trials at Michigan Medicine.

The CTSUs allow investigators to focus on their research and patients, instead of administrative tasks. CTSUs use a standard set of work guides to harmonize elements across the clinical research enterprise while allowing for local flexibility to reflect the uniqueness of various types of research. CTSUs provide mandatory pre-/post-award support and optional study coordinator support. 

When working with the Support Units, the six non-oncology units may be referred to as M-CTSU and Oncology as O-CTSU. For more information, visit the Clinical Trials Support Units page. 

OnCore Training

All clinical research being serviced by a Clinical Trials Support Unit (CTSU) is managed in OnCore, an enterprise Clinical Trials Management System (CTMS). OnCore allows for automated standard interfaces with MiChart, which helps reduce duplication of effort and the possibility of erroneous data by connecting these systems and leveraging data already present. OnCore provides the ability to track and report on any protocol, at any stage, for all participants registered as well as financial metrics.

The OnCore Central Support Team provides support and training to help the clinical trials community transition to OnCore. Each OnCore training session provides hands-on training to allow staff and faculty to practice with the functions they will frequently use. OnDemand OnCore Training Videos are also available. To view all OnCore training resources, visit the OnCore Accounts & Support page.

Clinical Trials Academy

The Department of Internal Medicine’s Clinical Trials Academy offers early-career faculty and new clinician investigators a combination of lectures and hands-on small group sessions to teach the complex and changing landscape of clinical trials. The academy will teach practical tips to succeed including targeting cutting-edge basic research findings with relevant human disease, constructing the most pertinent hypotheses and questioning to catalyze innovation in drug/device discovery, teaching the fundamentals of clinical trial design, and understanding the changing landscape of clinical trials, from earlier phases to multicenter randomized and pragmatic population trials.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION RESOURCES

U-M Event Calendars

Below are some of the event calendars directed towards biomedical researchers.

 

 

Research Administration Workshops & Training

The Office of Research & Sponsored Projects offers a variety of training programs and workshops to help researchers and research administrators learn the ins and outs of research administration at the University of Michigan. For more information, visit the ORSP's Navigate page.

Cornerstone Learning

Cornerstone Learning is the University's online training tool offering high quality education solutions for Michigan Medicine faculty and staff.

Research Basics Workshop

MICHR's Research Basics Workshop series presents basic, introductory-level material covering concepts in clinical or health research. This three-part series engages participants and provides opportunities for skill building and learning.

Sessions include:

  • Fundamentals of Data Management
  • Essential Documents and Good Clinical Practice
  • Conducting and Obtaining Valid Informed Consent

For more information, visit their Research Basics Workshop page.

Communicating Science

In 2016, the Medical School Office of Research hosted the Communicating Science Seminar Series, tailored to answer questions about communications here at the university and beyond. From PR and social media, to data visualization, to website development, these sessions continue to be a resource for communicating science to the general public. 

Topics include:

  • Public Relations and External Audience Communications
  • The Web, Social Media, and Your Research 
  • Scholarly Communication & Dissemination
  • Don't Blind Them with Science! How to Write in Plain Language 
  • Introduction to Data Visualization

View the session video recordings and the presentation slides for each of these topics on the Communicating Science Seminar Series page.

Questions?

Contact MICHR at UM-MICHR@umich.edu or 734-998-7474

Contact Research Development at msgrants@umich.edu or 734-763-4272

Contact Fast Forward Medical Innovation at ffmioffice@umich.edu or 734-615-5060

Contact IRBMED at irbmed@umich.edu or 734-763-4768

Contact the Clinical Trials Support Office at CTSOgroup@umich.edu

Contact the Data Office at DataOffice@umich.edu or 734-615-2100 

A full list of Medical School Office of Research staff is available in the Personnel Directory.

Edited By: accurtis@umich.edu
Last Updated: January 4, 2023