Fostering Institutional Resources for Science Transformation: The FLORIDA-FIRST Health-science Brigade

PROJECT SUMMARY The FLORIDA-FIRST BRIGADE provides an exciting opportunity to test a system-level approach for promoting the next generation of NIH-funded health scientists through engagement at the macro, meso, and micro levels. As described in our Overall Core, our strategy involves developing and implementing this model

at Florida State University or FSU (macro) within our Equity Research Corner (meso) to foster research and professional development of our new URM faculty (micro) to produce an evidence-based approach that can be replicated in other FSU departments and hiring units. With evidence, this strategy will contribute to significant

systemic and sustainable institutional culture change over baseline toward inclusive excellence at the faculty, cohort/center, and institution level. The Macro level includes changes to the institution and the broader culture at FSU. The Meso level focuses on the Equity Research Corner and the cohort itself and building a cohesive

and supportive environment to support productivity and retention. The micro level builds skills and resilience in the individual faculty member. To that end, we propose three specific aims: (1) Re-align institutional practices to support The FIRST Cohort’s promotion and tenure to ensure credit for collaborative work completed as a

cluster, consideration of unique aspects of fields of study, and protection from undue administrative burden (Macro); (2) Engage The FIRST Cohort as a group in activities to foster an environment of social acceptance, belonging, and inclusion (Meso); and (3) Develop and implement integrated individual research and career

development plans and mentoring plans for The FIRST Cohort. Our approach includes strategies at each of these levels for greatest public health impact that will be sustainable beyond the project period. Through targeting positive change in the institution, the cohort, and the individual, The FIRST Cohort will gain a wealth

of knowledge and experience and concrete skills sets to cultivate and enhance their own personal scientific career and trajectory and contribute to self-sustaining improvements in diversity and inclusive excellence at FSU.