To familiarize developing clinical investigators  with the competencies, advantages/limitations of various study designs and specific procedures for the planning, implementation and completion of clinical research.  Emphasis will be placed on the epidemiological competencies used in clinical research including protocol development, survey methodology, use of vital statistics and hospital records, clinic management, physical assessment, quality control and reporting of results. At the end of the course the student will be able to use the competencies to develop the critical clinical research question and design the specific aims to address the hypothesis.

To learn more about upcoming course offerings, please contact Erin Riegel at erin.riegel@nemours.org.

ACCEL offers a series of 6 educational workshops, offered annually, focused on critical aspects of grant preparation, specifically for the NIH. Look for communication on an upcoming series, or watch past presentations by clicking here.

ACCEL offers a series of 3 educational workshops that are designed to help investigators move to the next level in their grant writing. Topics include writing an introductory page to respond to criticism, crafting an impact statement, and rigor and reproducibility. Watch past presentations by clicking here.

This survey allows the MED-Core to assess research-related skills and educational interests to better develop tools and curriculum to meet educational and mentoring needs.

To access the survey please click here.

Click here for a Course Matrix. 

The ACCEL Program uses a variety of tools to track progress and investigator satisfaction. To access your previously completed ACCEL Assessments, please click below:

• Tools that have been Completed and are available to copy.
• Tools that require input and are now Due.
• Forms that are Linked to your profile.
• To begin using a new tool or to access the library of ACCEL Assessments and Forms click here.  A description of the available assessments can be found below.

Individual Development Plan (IDP)

The Individualized Development Plan (IDP) is a tool used in association with your mentor to help you reach short and long-term goals for your career and personal development. As you prepare to complete this form, please review the goals you set forth in last year’s IDP. Assessing your success in reaching those goals and developing/refining your objectives for the next year are crucial to your career development. Please note: The contents of IDPs may be shared with your department director at yours or their request; however, any discussions privately held with your mentor will be held in the strictest of confidence.

Mentoring Plan
This survey will help the ACCEL mentoring team evaluate mentoring plans for proposals and projects associated with the ACCEL grants programs.

Research Project Inventory
This survey will help us as the ACCEL mentoring team to learn more about your current project(s) and research needs, as well as match you with an appropriate research mentor.

Mentoring Style Inventory
The information gathered will be used to identify mentors within the ACCEL institutions and match mentors with mentees within the ACCEL institutions. The information will be used to identify areas in need of support and to begin identifying associates for recognition of their mentoring efforts.

Educational Needs Assessment
This survey allows the MED-Core to assess research-related skills and educational interests to better develop tools and curriculum to meet educational and mentoring needs.

The Specific Aims Checklist is designed to help Junior Investigators develop comprehensive goals for their research projects and can also be used by Mentors and reviewers as a guide to help aid their review of a Mentee’s specific aims. You can review and download a copy of the Specific Aims Planning Worksheet by clicking here.

To help formalize and set expectations and goals for your mentoring relationship, please download and fill out a copy of the Mentoring Compact  (available below).

The ACCEL Program supports partnerships between junior investigators with senior faculty to help define short-term and long-term goals, establish individual development plans, identify resources, and engage in activities for personal growth and research success. To facilitate and clarify these partnerships, investigators and their mentors must agree to the principles and commitments outlined in the ACCEL Mentoring Compact. 

Please click here to download a copy.

Nemours Prospective Research Study Protocol Template

Nemours Retrospective Research Study Protocol Template

Mentoring Style Inventory

This survey is completed by mentors and those interested in becoming mentors in order to better place mentors with mentees. The information mentors provide will be aggregated with other survey responses to generate a summary report that describes the current level of research mentoring across all institutions. The information will be used to identify areas in need of support and to begin identifying associates for recognition of their mentoring efforts.

Research Project Inventory

This survey will help us learn more about your current project(s), research needs, and match you with an appropriate research mentor.

Progress Reporting Assessment

This assessment allows INBRE’s Developmental Research Project Program Core to track the progress of current Pilot Project Awardees

The Mentoring the Mentor Program hosts presentations and meetings focusing on best practices in mentoring, the development of mentoring skills, and addressing mentoring challenges.  Topics include developing successful careers, accessing mentoring tools, and effective strategies for junior investigators.  

To view past presentations click here.  

To learn about upcoming events, contact Erin Riegel (click here).

The Junior Investigators’ Network (JIN) is a peer-mentoring and research group that supports networking opportunities, professional development presentations, recognition, and Q&A sessions around common challenges facing investigators.  The JIN is a collaboration between the Delaware CTR and the Delaware INBRE programs.  There are more than 150 JIN members across the state of Delaware.  

JIN sessions are offered live either in person or via Blue Jeans video conferencing.  Recorded sessions include advice and tips for success, grant writing tools and strategies, working with biostatisticians, and working to create a successful career path.

To view past JIN presentations, click here.  

To learn about upcoming JIN events, contact Erin Riegel (click here).

To access the JIN Challenges summary, please click here. 

These discussions occur every Thursday at 9 am and last no longer than 20 minutes.  Meetings focus on opportunities, resources, and overcoming challenges.

To attend, please go to this bluejeans link.

Each JIN Research Challenges Discussion comprises:

• Review of upcoming events / deadlines
• Introduction of at least one research resource to investigators (based on previous needs / challenges identified)
• Topics and challenges raised by JIN members

To see previously discussed tools and resources, click here.

The MED-Core offers counseling sessions in which a team of experienced senior investigators review grant proposals and specific aims pages to help investigators achieve independent external funding.  

To schedule a Mentoring and Advisory Counseling session, contact Erin Riegel by clicking here.

Specific Aims and the Research Plan: Common mistakes and how to avoid them (2016)

Putting Together the Application- It’s Not All About the Research Plan (2019)

Putting together the application-it’s not all about the Research Plan (2016)

Putting Together the Application- It’s Not All About the Research Plan (2015)

Introduction to the NIH – How is it structured? (2016)

You got your grant reviews. Now what? (2018)

You got your grant reviews. Now what? (2017)

You got your grant reviews. Now what? (2016)

It’s not all about the NIH-other sources of funding and how to find them (2017)

It’s not all about the NIH-other sources of funding and how to find them (2016)

Understanding how to find grant opportunities and navigate the system successfully (2017)

Formulating a Strong Research Plan (2018)

Introduction to the Revised Application (2016)

Crafting an Impact Statement (2016)

The Scientific Premise and Rigor and Reproducibility (2016)

Grant Writing Tips and Use of Figures (2017)