Advanced Research Institute in Geriatric Mental Health

The Advanced Research Institute in Geriatric Mental Health (ARI) is an educational program designed to increase the number of independent investigators conducting interventions and services research in geriatric mental health. ARI is organized by Weill Cornell Medical College and sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH; R25 MH068502).

Aim: ARI's explicit goal is that each Scholar achieves NIH R01 (or equivalent) funding and assumes the responsibilities of independent scientists.

Participants: The program targets new investigators who are ready to submit grant applications for independent research funding (e.g., NIH R01 funding). Typically, ARI Scholars have previously received a mentored career development award or demonstrated equivalent achievements. Scholars usually participate in the program for two years.

Program: ARI augments Scholars' existing resources with:

  • Mentoring: ARI matches each Scholar with a mentor selected from a national pool of senior investigators. The ARI Mentor provides ongoing consultation to the Scholar on research grant applications and career development.
  • Spring Retreat: ARI's annual 3-day Spring Retreat focuses specifically on each Scholar's research application. Attendees include the ARI Scholars, ARI Mentors, several senior statisticians, NIH program officers, and other experts. Scholars present their proposed research and receive feedback in daily group and one-on-one sessions with program faculty. The 2008 ARI Spring Retreat will be held at Graylyn International Conference Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (www.graylyn.com). The program is scheduled from May 7-10, 2008.
  • Consultation: ARI provides numerous opportunities for Scholars to obtain technical consultation from senior scientific experts through one-on-one contacts, including travel to their home institutions and labs.
  • Resources: For Scholars who are not supported by an NIH career development award, ARI offers supplemental funds to assist in grant preparation (e.g., small pilot studies, data management resources).

Application Instructions: We are now recruiting for the next cohort of Scholars. The deadline for applications is December 3, 2007. Participation in ARI will begin in January 2008. Please send application materials to: lad9011@med.cornell.edu

Applications include:

  • Cover page including:
    1. current address, phone number, e-mail address;
    2. current institution and position;
    3. area of research (one sentence); and
    4. previous and current funding
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • R01 (or equivalent) prospectus, draft R01 proposal, or previously submitted R01 (with summary "pink" review sheets if available)
  • A 500-word description of your current program of research, mentoring and scientific advisory needs, and other gaps that could be addressed by participating in ARI
  • Two letters of recommendation

The program was designed to accommodate Scholars in varying stages of research grant preparation. Candidates who have already submitted NIH application or have a draft should send what they have prepared. Others who are earlier in the process should submit a prospectus, typically 2-3 pages in length and including a problem statement, aims, hypotheses, rationale and synopsis of the basic design and methodology.

Contact

Program Contact Information

Martha L. Bruce, PhD, MPH
Director, ARI
Weill Cornell Medical College
(914) 997-5977
E-mail: mbruce@med.cornell.edu
Jo Anne Sirey, Ph.D.
Associate Director, ARI
Weill Cornell Medical College
(914) 997-4333
E-mail: jsirey@med.cornell.edu
Laura Davan
Program Coordinator
Weill Cornell Medical College
914-682-9100 ext. 2570

E-mail: lad9011@med.cornell.edu
ARI Core Faculty
Martha L. Bruce, PhD, MPH
Director
Weill Cornell Medical College

Steering Committee

Stephen J. Bartels, MD, MS
Dartmouth Medical School

Yeates Conwell, MD
University of Rochester School of Medicine

Jo Anne Sirey, PhD
Associate Director
Weill Cornell Medical College

Gwenn Smith, PhD
University of Toronto

Faculty

Patricia Areán, PhD
University of California, San Francisco

Yeates Conwell, MD
University of Rochester School of Medicine

Paul Duberstein, PhD
University of Rochester School of Medicine

Joseph Gallo, MD, MPH
University of Pennsylvania

Anand Kumar, MD
University of California, Los Angeles

Jeffrey Lyness, MD
University of Rochester School of Medicine
Benoit Mulsant, MD
University of Toronto

Bruce Pollock, MD, PhD
University of Toronto

David Steffens, MD, MHS
Duke University Medical Center

Additional faculty and consultants will be drawn from other universities and academic institutions
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