THE IRACDA PROGRAM

• Year 1:  100% at UChicago, Lab research with Research Mentor to establish research project,  Orientation, Introduction to partner institutions*, Chicago Center for Teaching course, Mentoring and DEI training (certificate courses), Individual Development Plan (IDP) and Teaching Development Plan.
• Year 2: Mentored teaching experience at partner schools, Research at UChicago, Mentor a summer research student, STEM teaching workshop
• Year 3:  Co-teach a course at a partner school, Research at UChicago, Grantwriting workshop, Responsible Conduct of Research course
• Year 4:  Identify and apply for grant funding; Design and teach new course at partner school, Research at UChicago, Submit manuscripts for publication, Mentor a summer research student, RCR, Develop a Teaching Portfolio and Teaching Statement for academic job applications
• Year 5:  If necessary, continue postdoc training and research at UChicago, Search for a faculty position, Application and Interview preparation, Complete research project, Mentor a summer research student

IRACDA Scholars devote 75% effort toward their research and 25% effort to teaching and skill development while in the Program.  The UChicago IRACDA Program is structured to provide up to three years of salary support in accordance with current NIH guidelines. Depending on start date, Year 1 salary will typically be covered by the host lab, Years 2-4 by the IRACDA grant, and Year 5 (if necessary) by the host lab or an individual fellowship.

PARTNER INSTITUTIONS
IRACDA Scholars are matched, based on scientific interest, with a faculty Teaching Mentor at one of the partner institutions, Northeastern Illinois University (https://www.neiu.edu/) or Chicago State University (https://www.csu.edu/).  NEIU and CSU are teaching-focused universities that are dedicated to educating students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce. IRACDA Scholars will have the opportunity to first observe courses, then conduct mentored guest lectures, and finally to teach new or existing courses at the partner institutions.

FACULTY RESEARCH MENTORS
Research Mentors at the University of Chicago are available from a wide variety of research fields in biomedical and behavioral sciences participate in the IRACDA Program. While their research projects are frequently basic science in nature, IRACDA Scholars are encouraged to pursue research pertinent to the mission of NIGMS. Faculty in the Biological Sciences Division can be found here: https://biologicalsciences.uchicago.edu/our-faculty.

IRACDA SCHOLARS have access to a variety of professional development opportunities at the University of Chicago, including myCHOICE career seminars, the UChicago SACNAS chapter, Chicago Center for Teaching pedagogy courses, UChicago GRAD career counseling, and the BSD Postdoctoral Association (https://bsdpostdoc.uchicago.edu/) which provides a weekly seminar series for postdocs, annual Postdoctoral Symposium, and leadership and networking opportunities. IRACDA Scholars also have the opportunity to attend scientific conferences and the annual IRADCA national conference.