Achieve Your Goals with Peer Support: Mentoring and Writing Groups Now Forming
September 03, 2025To All Faculty:
Would structured guidance, a supportive community, and dedicated time help you stay focused and move your research forward this fall? The Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI) is offering three peer-based programs designed to help early-stage faculty stay focused, accountable, and connected.
Peer Mentoring Groups
Goal: Strategize and achieve short-term professional or research goals with peer support
- Eligibility: UMB faculty member who has completed an individual development plan (IDP). CARTI has a template IDP available for completion prior to participation.
- Format: Meets virtually twice a month for 1 hour Sept. 29 to Dec. 8, 2025 (5 meetings total)
- Small groups with structured agendas focusing on goal setting and overcoming challenges
- Moderated kickoff session with Dr. Marey Shriver
- Sign up by emailing umsomcarti@som.umaryland.edu by Friday, Sept. 19
SWAG: Scholarly Writing Accountability Groups
Goal: Make time for writing and stay on track with weekly peer support
- Eligibility: UMB faculty member working on a scholarly product or grant application
- Format: Meets virtually once a week for 1 hour between Sept. 29 and Nov. 10, 2025 (7 weeks total)
- 3 accountability groups available: K grant writing group, R01 grant writing group, and scholarly product writing group
- No peer review — just focused writing time
- Sign up by completing the following form by Friday, Sept. 19: https://umbforms.wufoo.com/forms/request-to-join-swag
Multi-R01 Peer Mentoring Program
Goal: Prepare a renewal for an NIH R01 or write a second or third research grant
- Eligibility: UMB faculty with at least one NIH R01 (or equivalent research grant) and preparing a grant submission within 6 months
- Format: Meets virtually and in person twice a month Sept. 30 to Dec. 9, 2025 (6 sessions total)
- Get accountability, peer support, and insights from senior faculty
- Sign up by emailing umsomcarti@som.umaryland.edu by Friday, Sept. 19
All programs offer a supportive community, structured time, and accountability to achieve your research goals this Fall. Please reach out if you have any questions to umsomcarti@som.umaryland.edu.