Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) Program

Now entering its fourth year, the ABMR ESI program provides leadership training, mentoring and networking to promising behavioral medicine researchers. Scholars who represent diversity as defined by the NIH are particularly encouraged to apply.

The leadership program helps ESIs identify their short- and long-term career goals and teaches leadership qualities relevant to research and teaching.

The ESI Program is designed to build an active, engaged support network of near peers, and provide opportunities for ESIs to network with ABMR members and leaders.

Prior to the start of the meeting, awardees will be matched with an ABMR member with shared scientific interests for mentoring purposes.

Individuals who are selected will be expected to attend the ABMR annual meeting to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota from June 20-23, 2024. In past years, awardees received funding to cover the cost of travel, lodging, food, and the conference fee. At this moment, while funding is expected, it is not guaranteed, and depends on the receipt of funding through an NIH conference grant. Support for childcare or family care needs during the 2024 meeting will be available.

Eligibility:

Individuals are eligible if they are:

1. Within 10 years of their terminal degree, AND

2. The Principal Investigator (PI) of a current NIH-funded K-series or equivalent mentored career development award (e.g. KL2 award from CTSA), or PI of a first R-series award or equivalent independent research award.

*Note: Individuals can apply for the ESI Program and be nominated for the Neal Miller New Investigator Award in the same year, but only 1 award will be given. Neal Miller awardees will be invited to join the ESI Program.

ESI Program Activities:

In addition to attending the full ABMR meeting, ESI’s will participate in the following activities:

1. A pre-conference leadership training program, led by Dr. Norman Anderson, to identify short- and long-term career goals and teach leadership qualities relevant to an academic career.

2. Interactive sessions on networking and professional development, co-led by Drs. Jeannette Ickovics and Tracey Revenson.

3. Short presentations at the conference for ESIs to introduce themselves and their research to membership.

4. Networking opportunities with ABMR Fellows.

5. One-on-one mentoring with an ABMR member.

6. Opportunities to meet with NIH program officials.