Research Development Training
Introduction
A number of training opportunities to enhance investigators' skills for securing funding for research are available across UIC's campus. In particular, the Center for Clinical and Translational Science offers an excellent suite of training resources for investigators at all career stages. A sample of training opportunities is here; please contact Research Development if you offer a research-related training opportunity you would like included in our list.
Research Development Events
NIH, Then and Now: Institutional Organization, Priorities and Review Processes
NIH, Then and Now: Biological Research Safety and Security
NIH, Then and Now: Developing Competitive Proposals
NIH, Then and Now: Biographical Sketch and Other Support
NIH, Then and Now: Proposers' Panel Discussion
Training Opportunities for Investigators
Finding Funding with Pivot
Getting Started with Pivot
The Office of Research Development provides an introductory 45-minute webinar and accompanying slide deck for UIC personnel. Additional getting started resources are publicly available from Ex Libris (the publisher of Pivot-RP).
Customized Pivot Workshops for UIC Groups
Research Development also offers customized workshops on finding funding using Pivot. These sessions can be geared toward faculty seeking their own funding or administrative staff who search for funding opportunities for others. Contact Research Development to schedule a session.
Setting Up Single Sign-On (SSO) with Pivot
For Current Pivot Users (already have a Pivot User ID [UIC email address] and Pivot password)
You will sign in to Pivot with your existing Pivot credentials and link your account to your UIC identity. The following instructions are also available as a job aid with screenshots.
- Go to https://pivot.proquest.com/login
- Log in the Sign in using your Pivot-RP Account section using your existing Pivot credentials, which are your @uic.edu email address and password for Pivot. (Do not use the “Access Pivot-RP using your Institution’s Credentials (Shibboleth)” option yet!) You can use the “Forgot Password?” option, if needed.
- Once you are signed in to Pivot, your name and a dropdown menu triangle will appear in the upper right corner of the page. Click the dropdown menu triangle and select Change account info.
- In the Shibboleth section of the resulting page, choose “University of Illinois at Chicago” from the list and click Associate Account.
- A message should pop up indicating you have now associated your existing Pivot credentials with your UIC credentials. From here on out, you can log in to Pivot either way – with your Pivot User ID and password -or- using UIC SSO. If you encounter any difficulties with this process, please contact the Office of Research Development at rds@uic.edu for assistance.
For New Pivot Users (have never had a Pivot User ID or Pivot password)
You will sign in to Pivot using SSO right from the start. You do not need to create a Pivot-RP Account. The following instructions are also available as a job aid with screenshots.
- Go to https://pivot.proquest.com/login
- Log in the Access Pivot-RP using your Institution’s Credentials (Shibboleth) section and select “University of Illinois at Chicago” from the list.
- You will be redirected to the standard UIC login page. Enter your NetID and Password, then click Log in.
- Complete all the items listed in the Finish creating your Pivot-RP Account section and click Get Started.
- You will be prompted to claim your Pivot-RP profile. This is a profile of your works and areas of expertise that Pivot generates from publicly-available data. It is recommended that you View Match(es) & Claim Profile at this point. (Pivot may identify more than one possible match for you.) If you prefer, you can Skip & Claim later.
- Once you have claimed your profile (or chosen to skip that step), the Pivot dashboard page should appear. From here on out, this is the page you will see right after you sign in to Pivot using SSO. When you are finished with your Pivot session, it is a good practice to Sign out, which is an option in the menu that appears when you mouse over the triangle in the upper right corner of the dashboard. If you encounter any difficulties with Pivot, please contact the Office of Research Development at rds@uic.edu for assistance.
CCTS Grant Writing Coaching Groups
Successful career development grants need a strong research concept, a solid career development plan, and skillful writing. CCTS Grant Writing Coaching Groups can help support you! Modeled after successful formats from the National Research Mentoring Network, these small groups are geared to senior postdocs writing K99/R00 proposals and junior faculty writing other types of K grants. (Other types of career development proposals are also welcome.) With support from peers and a senior faculty coach with NIH reviewing experience, 4-5 participants will work together to refine their Specific Aims pages, Biosketches, and career development/training plans.
New coaching groups will form three times per year (roughly aligning with NIH grant submission deadlines). New participants should have a rough draft of their aims page prepared before registering. They also need to identify a primary mentor before registering in the group. Participants can stay in a group for 1-2 cycles or as needed until submission.
NIH K Awards
CCTS hosts a weekly facilitated peer-to-peer support group for postdocs and junior faculty who are plan to submit NIH career (K) award grants. Each group forms approximately 4 months prior to the following NIH K deadline (June/October/February).
Career and Professional Development for Postdocs
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs offers a number of resources and training opportunities specifically for postdocs to develop their research and grant preparation skills.
Your Future in Science Seminar Series
“Your Future in Science” is a seminar series designed for graduate research assistants and postdoctoral research associates. Held the 3rd Thursday of every month from 12-1 pm in COMRB, YFIS covers topics about career exploration and different career options, professional skills needed for career success, and preparing for the job search.