The Department of Medicine (DOM) has launched a new initiative to support mid-career faculty in expanding the breadth and impact of their research programs: ASPIRE (Advancing Scientific Programs of Independently-funded Researchers).

ASPIRE is designed for faculty who already hold R-level funding but have not yet secured multiple concurrent R-equivalent grants. Building on the success of the KARAT program for early-career investigators, ASPIRE provides both financial support and professional development opportunities, including personalized mentorship from accomplished faculty and programming focused on innovation, scientific leadership, and programmatic grant development, to help faculty take their research to the next level.

“There is a lot of appropriate attention to nurturing the F to K to R pipeline, but Dr. Lennon recognized that we also have an opportunity to support talented R-funded mid-career faculty to lift their research programs to new heights” stated Matthew Steinhauser, Vice Chair for Academic Advancement and leader of the new program.

To address this need, Steinhauser established the program and, with the support of Dr. Lennon, announced the program’s first request for applications in July 2025, resulting in 18 submissions from across the Department. The proposals with be reviewed this fall by a committee of senior DOM scientists, who will select six inaugural ASPIRE Scholars, each of whom will receive up to $75,000 over two years to launch a new line of R-level research.

The inaugural ASPIRE Scholars will be announced this fall, marking an important step in advancing the Department’s research mission and underscoring DOM’s commitment to supporting mid-career investigators.

For more information about ASPIRE, please contact Matthew Steinhauser, MD.