PRIDE-FTG advances academic careers of underrepresented early-stage investigators performing blood disorders research

Despite improvements in the diversity of the US biomedical research workforce, individuals from different racial/ethnic groups remain underrepresented. Even though mentoring is critical for career advancement, underrepresented faculty have limited opportunities. Therefore, we evaluated a multipronged mentoring approach for early-stage underrepresented faculty trained in the Programs to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research–Functional and Translational Genomics of Blood Disorders (PRIDE-FTG). The selection process involved a rigorous review of applications, considering factors such as academic potential, research interests, and commitment to diversity in biomedical research. This yearlong training experience includes 2 summer institutes consisting of lectures, grant-writing workshops, and laboratory practicums. In addition, a mentoring committee, comprised of research, career development, and peer mentors, was established. The National Coordination Core collected program evaluations, grants, publications, and academic promotion data. Since 2007, PRIDE-FTG has trained 114 investigators, including 94 Black/African American investigators and 87 assistant professors; 65 mentees (57%) conducted research related to sickle cell disease. The primary outcome metric for PRIDE-FTG is the submission of an extramural National Institutes of Health or equivalent grant within 2 years of training completion. Notably, 70% of 90 mentees achieved this metric and 44.4% was funded as principal investigators. Finally, 55 mentees were promoted to higher academic ranks, and 90 mentees published 1465 peer-reviewed manuscripts. Our data demonstrated the long-term impact of PRIDE-FTG training on the career advancement of early-stage underrepresented investigators. The success of this structured, mentored training program instills a sense of optimism about the future of diversity in our nation.