This paper is the first in a five-part series on the clinical and translational
science educational pipeline and presents strategies to support recruitment and retention
to create diverse pathways into clinical and translational research (CTR). The strategies
address multiple levels or contexts of persistence decisions and include: 1) creating a
seamless pipeline by forming strategic partnerships to achieve continuity of support for
scholars and collective impact; 2) providing meaningful research opportunities to support
identity formation as a scientist and sustain motivation to pursue and persist in CTR
careers; 3) fostering an environment for effective mentorship and peer support to promote
academic and social integration; 4) advocating for institutional policies to alleviate
environmental pull factors; and, 5) supporting program evaluation – particularly,
the examination of longitudinal outcomes. By combining institutional policies that promote
a culture and climate for diversity with quality, evidence-based programs and integrated
networks of support, we can create the environment necessary for diverse scholars to
progress successfully and efficiently through the pipeline to achieve NIH’s vision
of a robust CTR workforce.
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