Building the Next Generation of Research Leaders: Launching the IDPP
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORE
About the Core
Developing Puerto Rico's Research Workforce
The Professional Development (PD) Core strengthens the clinical and translational research workforce through accessible training, mentorship, and career development opportunities across all career stages.
The Core supports investigators, research staff, clinicians, and community partners by strengthening research competencies, grantsmanship, scientific communication, collaboration, and progression toward independent funding.
Core Objectives
An integrated approach to developing investigators and strengthening clinical and translational research capacity.
01
Build Research Capacity
Strengthen infrastructure and workforce capacity through targeted training and skill development in clinical and translational research.
02
Develop Investigators
Build a robust investigator pipeline through structured mentorship, career development, and support toward research independence.
03
Advance Community Health
Empower healthcare providers and community members with research skills to address locally relevant health priorities.
INVESTIGATOR SUPPORT
Services
Editorial & Scientific Writing
Support for grant proposals, manuscripts, abstracts, and other scientific products through the Scientific Writing Unit.
Grant Development & Review
Grant writing guidance, structured feedback, and mock study sections designed around NIH-style review.
Tailored investigator Support
Individualized assistance for awardees, candidates, and unfunded applicants, including biosketches, career development plans, and resubmissions.
Research Navigation
Guidance to help investigators identify professional development resources, programs, and opportunities across the Alliance.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Seminars, workshops, & certificates
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Laboratory Training Opportunities
In collaboration with the Clinical and Technological Research Resources (CTRR) Core, the PD Core provides opportunities to strengthen laboratory skills and investigator competitiveness.
RTOP
Research Training Opportunity Program
A two-stage technology transfer experience that equips investigators with emerging laboratory technologies and supports local implementation of advanced methodologies.
Funding Up to $8,000
Eligibility: Faculty members and early- to mid-stage investigators affiliated with Alliance participating institutions.
ESCID
Early-stage Career Investigator Development Program
Supports investigators by providing access to laboratory facilities and assistance with laboratory materials.
Funding Up to $3,000
Eligibility: Faculty members and early- to mid-stage investigators affiliated with Alliance participating institutions.
CURRENT AWARDEES
Investigator Spotlight
RTOP 2025-2026
Luz Silva-Torres, PhD
UPR Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Laboratory technology: Human-centered genome-wide analyses, including RNA sequencing, genome-wide methylation profiling, and epigenetic pathway analysis.
ESCID 2025-2026
Eduardo Alvarez-Rivera, PhD
Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Research area: Cytotoxic and Mechanistic Effects of PSP in Glioblastoma Cells.
Investigator Development Pipeline Program (IDPP)
A comprehensive workforce development initiative that provides tools, mentorship, and resources to help investigators progress toward research independence and beyond.
IDDP
STAGE 1
Never led as a PI a funded research project.
Milestone 1:
PI of externally funded project NOT NIH “Research Project”
- Certified Mentors / Mentor’s retreat
- K Ambassador Cohort
- Mock Study Sessions
- Small Projects (except AHIG)
- Special Projects/CAPs
- Pilot Projects
IDPP
STAGE 2
Milestone 2:
PI of NIH “Research Project” (R00, R03, R16, R21) or Career Award (K)
- RTOP
- Certified Mentors / Mentor’s retreat
- K Ambassador Cohort
- MMT (as mentee)
- Mock Study Sessions
- Small Projects
- Special Projects/CAPs
- Let me help you
- Pilot Projects*
- Developmental Projects
- Collaborative Projects
IDPP
STAGE 3
Milestone 2:
PI of NIH R01 or equivalent
- Certified Mentors / Mentor’s retreat
- R Ambassador Cohort
- MMT (as mentor)
- Mock Study Sessions
- All PD activities
- Small Projects
- Special Projects/CAPs
- Let me help you
- Pilot Projects*
- Developmental Projects
- Collaborative Projects
FINAL STAGE
INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR
DE AQUI PARA ARRIBA ES LO NUEVO
- Mentor Training & Certification Programs
- Purpose:Foster the continuous development and recognition of effective mentorship competencies among investigators, strengthening mentoring relationships and enhancing the quality, productivity, and impact of research outcomes.
- Eligibility:Investigators at different research stages.
- Mentor-Mentee Teams (MMT) Program
- Purpose: Support career development, obtain external funding, and research independence by pairing investigators with experienced mentors to provide guidance, collaboration, and structured professional growth. Funding available to cover up to 75% of the mentee’s time and effort.
- Eligibility:Early-stage or mid-career investigators affiliated with Alliance participating institutions.
Current MMT awarded 2026-2028
Mentee: Tiffany J. Rios-Fuller, PhD
Ponce Health Sciences University, Department of Basic Sciences/Biochemistry
Research area: Breast Cancer
Main goal: Generate preliminary data and publications to support future NIH funding, including an NIH R21 and R01 applications focused on translational control mechanisms in aggressive breast cancer.
Mentor: Harold Saavedra, PhD
Ponce Health Sciences University, Department of Basic Sciences/Biochemistry
Research area: Cancer Biology, with a focus on Breast Cancer
Click here to view past MMT awardees (Table with the full name of mentees/mentors, credentials, institution, period awarded, research projects and main outcomes)
- K and R Ambassadors Cohorts
- Purpose: Prepare investigators for NIH funding success through guided grant writing support and mock study section experiences.
- Eligibility:Investigators at different research stages. A call will be announced once a year.
- Mock Study Sections
- Purpose: Prepare investigators for NIH-style peer review by providing structured mock review sessions that offer expert feedback to strengthen K and R grant proposals.
- Eligibility:Investigators at different research stages.
Community-focused initiatives
In collaboration with the Alliance PR-GROW Network and the CEO and CTRR Cores, the PD Core seeks to empower healthcare providers, members from varied communities, and community researchers with the tools and resources necessary to address the specific needs of the population we serve.
- Community Tailored Training
- Purpose: Advance the skills of clinician-scientists and community-based professionals by promoting participation in tailored training opportunities, including NIH courses, self-paced certifications, and specialized programs such as GROW Learning Together.
Eligibility: Healthcare providers, members from varied communities and community researchers.
- Sign Language Training Program
- Purpose: To educate members and professionals at communities on Deaf culture and legal protections in medical settings, equipping them with communication skills for participant recruitment and informed consent.
- Eligibility: Healthcare providers, members from varied communities, and community researchers.
- Clinical Trials Academy
- Purpose: Support community-based clinical scientists and individuals who are new or have limited experience in clinical research.
- Eligibility: Community healthcare providers.
Snapshot of the 15th Scientific Day, May 6, 2026
Summary
Slideshow or collage of pictures of past scientific days
Community-Centered Scientific Dissemination
Through collaboration with the Communication Unit and Alliance Cores, this initiative supports the development of plain language materials and coordinated dissemination strategies that translate complex scientific information into clear, practical content for communities, healthcare providers, and academic partners, ultimately enhancing science literacy and broadening research impact.
Programs & Funding Opportunities
Funding mechanisms designed to help investigators generate evidence, strengthen collaborations, and move research toward competitive external funding.
Other Small Grants
| Let Me Help You Program | Up to $10K | |
| Special Projects and Community-Academic-Provider Partnerships | $10K | |
| RCDC Big Data Small Projects | $8K | UPCOMING |
| Accelerated High Impact Grants | $10K | UPCOMING |
Research in Action
Success Stories
See how Alliance programs, mentorship, and research resources can help investigators strengthen their careers and advance toward competitive external funding.
Featured Investigator
How the Alliance Supported Dr. Elsa Orellano on Her Path to an R01
Dr. Elsa Orellano’s path toward securing an R01 was not always straightforward. Along the way, she faced proposals that were not reviewed, unfavorable scores, and moments of disappointment. Each experience, however, became an opportunity to learn, strengthen her proposal, and continue moving forward.
Throughout her journey, Dr. Orellano drew on multiple Alliance resources, including grant-writing courses, professional development in research, mentoring, protected research time, financial support, access to mentors and subject-matter experts, ongoing follow-up, and encouragement throughout the process.
See how these resources, together with her perseverance and optimism, helped her continue refining her work and ultimately reach an important milestone: securing R01 funding.
Dr. Elsa Orellano
Her journey to R01 funding with Alliance support
Meet the team
Core Leadership
Evangelia Morou, DDS, MS, PhD
Leader
UPR Medical Sciences Campus
PD News
