In order to fill the Training/Education domain of the IDM Plan for Action Against Racial Disparities (PAARD) charge (https://publichealth.pitt.edu/idm/paard), we are implementing an Underrepresented Group (URG) Application Support Initiative available for IDM applicants from a URG . Applicants will be matched with a graduate student or faculty member who will assist them throughout the application process. Applicants will be able to establish a regular point of contact with their matched mentor who will advise on the graduate school application process, review their CV and/or research statement, and provide overall support. NIH has identified the following groups as underrepresented groups in biomedical research (per NOT-OD-20-031): Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islanders. We are expanding this definition to include first generation, low-income, neurodivergent, and disabled applicants.

The purpose of this program is not to “pre-screen” applicants, but to provide applicants the mentorship that they may lack to prepare a competitive graduate school application. On responding to this form, applicants will be paired with a current IDM student  and have the opportunity to virtually meet. This first meeting will be scheduled within one week of pairing and serve as an introduction of mentor and applicant.  Applicants will send to their mentor, and receive edits on, either their CV and/or their research statement, up to three times (depending on agreement made between mentor/applicant).

This interest form will be open between August 2022 to January 1  2023, and pairings will occur on a rolling basis within this time frame.

The expectations required of applicants include:
- When matched, communicate your expectations with your mentor (eg: what kind of feedback would you like? Do you need suggestions on format/organization, content edits, etc?).
- Send CV and/or research statement to mentor within one week after first meeting.
- Submit edited materials to your mentor within one week of receiving their feedback.
- Name your files with the following format: "initials_CV_revision number" Example: IDM_CV_v1

The expectation required of mentors include:
-  Schedule a meeting with your applicant within one week of being matched
- Edit, advise, and return application materials within one week of submittal from applicant
- Establish a consistent means of communication with applicant
- It is recommended to virtually meet, or communicate through email, with your mentee on at least a biweekly schedule