PRISM is an intensive faculty development program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.
Formerly known as the CHER Institute, PRISM supports early-career faculty across the United States through NIH grant-readiness training, mentorship, and networking.
The program is delivered online via Zoom and includes seminars, small-group science discussions, mentoring activities, and peer networking.
PRISM prepares early-career faculty to pursue NIH funding and become principal investigators in collaborative biomedical research with basic, clinical, or behavioral outcomes.
PRISM Programs
PRISM consists of four programs designed to support faculty research training and professional development.
Webinar Series: Offered four times a year, and provides research training and professional development for faculty across the United States. Webinars are open to faculty at all career stages, including those who are not early-stage investigators. Participation in the intensive summer institute is not required.
Fellows: Participate in a six-day intensive summer institute where Fellows receive tailored mentoring to prepare an NIH-level proposal based on their unique research questions and professional development. The PRISM Summer Institute 2027 at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science will be held virtually June 7–12, 2027
Scholars: After completing the summer institute, Fellows are eligible to apply for the Scholars program, which provides additional, one-on-one mentoring for 6 to 12 months.
Champions: After completing the summer institute, Fellows may receive support for research, course replacement costs, protected time to conduct research, pilot data expenses, and/or student research assistant support.
Participation in the Fellows, Scholars, and Champions programs requires a competitive application process.
Who is Eligible for PRISM
Because PRISM is federally funded by the NIH through the R25 funding mechanism, the following eligibility criteria apply to the PRISM Fellows, Scholars, and Champions programs.
Webinars are open to all faculty.
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Hold a tenured or tenure-track faculty position.
Ability to serve as a Principal Investigator at an institution that is eligible to receive federal research funding.
Completion of a terminal research degree or medical residency (whichever date is later) within the past 10 years at the time of application to the Summer PRISM Institute (Fellows program).
No previous NIH funding as the Principal Investigator of an NIH R01 or career development award (K award).
Funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences through (NIH grant #R25GM121266), PRISM supports the development of the next generation of biomedical research faculty.
Stay Connected With PRISM
Stay informed about upcoming PRISM webinars, application cycles, program updates, and funding opportunities. Sign up to receive timely announcements, deadlines, and resources designed to support faculty research training and professional development.
