Developmental Funds-Developmental Core Facilities

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, Cambridge MA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Developmental Funds are a critical component of this CCSG, which are used to shape the future membership of the Kl, to see future research directions within the four Programs, and to ensure that the Center's Core Facilities meet the needs of the membership. The recruitment and support of earty career development of New Investigators is one of the principal goals of the CCSG Developmental Funds. Historically, this has been a highly successful use of these funds, which are leveraged with additional support from MIT. As described below, over the past grant period two New Investigators have been supported through this mechanism. Each is developing into an outstanding independent investigator as well as a valued member of their respective Programs. New Investigators are recruited through a stringent evaluation process (see Section 7.4 - Program Planning and Evaluation). As part of the recruitment process, a start-up package is negotiated that includes initial equipment purchases as well as funds for operating expenses for up to three years. These funds are necessary to allow the New Investigator to establish their laboratories and obtain independent funding. Start-up support comes from CCSG funds (approximately 1/3 of the cost) with the balance coming from the Department of Biology, the Dean of Science and the Provost. Recent start-up packages have been approximately $1,000,000 in total support. The Kl currently has a search underway for a cancer biologist and anticipates making one appointment (and perhaps two) during the next grant year (38). Therefore, we project a need for New Investigator support for years 38-41 for these recruits. We will open another search in the fall of 2009 to fill additional space in the expanded Kl building; these individuals would be expected to begin in years 39 and 40. Through a combination of turnover and retirement (as well as the possibility to increase the number of faculty through the expanded space in the new building), we anticipate supporting at least four, and possibly up to 8 new faculty over the next competitive segment.