MATRIX Mentoring Program
Mentoring to Achieve Research Independence (MATRIX) is an intensive 9-month faculty mentoring program coordinated by the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) and designed to help all UW–Madison faculty members (mentees) successfully land their first National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 Research Project Grant or equivalent.
Within three years of completing MATRIX:
- 42% of participants have R01 or equivalent funding
- 56% of participants have obtained other funding — society, foundation
The MATRIX program runs from September to June. Applications will open June 1–August 15. Mentees should be ready to submit their proposal up to one year of finishing the program. Match notifications will be sent out at the end of August.
MATRIX Provides and Compensates
- Mentees with the necessary tools, resources, and support to develop a competitive R01 or equivalent proposal that is ready to submit within one year of finishing the MATRIX program.
- Coaching by faculty members with successful funding records who commit to mentor, meet, and advise their group and department chairs.
- Large group events and workshops hosted by the SMPH that provide mentees with the essential tools and knowledge needed to develop and write successful R01 or equivalent proposals.
- Self-directed integrated peer group activities for mentees to share, review, provide feedback, and address challenges in proposal sections.
- Subject matter experts are selected by the mentee and paid by the MATRIX program. External Subject Matter Experts (ESMEs) are peers outside UW who review and provide an NIH-style critique on the mentees’ final proposal before the grant application deadline.
Mentee Application Process
Mentees are grouped into small teams (pods) where specialized training, guidance, and camaraderie aid in the development of a competitive NIH R01 or equivalent proposal over this 9-month program. Participation is limited to faculty members who have not yet been a Principal Investigator (PI) on an R01 project (or equivalent).
The course will include Coaches (senior UW–Madison faculty with established track records of external funding).
Coaches will also help mentees identify a paid External Subject Matter Expert (ESME), who will provide a critical NIH-style review on mentees’ near-final proposals before the grant application deadline.
Once an EMSE has agreed, the mentee should send their names and contact information to the MATRIX Program email: matrixmentoring@med.wisc.edu, so that a signed agreement can be obtained for future payment.
- Mentees must be ready to submit within one year of finishing the program and will actively participate in group meetings and activities. One coach will be assigned to a group of two to four mentees (a pod). All pods will meet in two monthly meetings (or frequency determined by pod/team), September through May (in addition to a mid-term and closing ceremony).
- Coaches will guide the group through NIH policies and practices and development of an R01 equivalent grant application. In much the same way that a head coach is not an expert on all the positions, a MATRIX coach is not necessarily an expert on the scientific expertise needed for each mentee’s grant proposal. Rather, the coach is a process expert.
- Small group (pod) activities include helping to determine a realistic deadline for each mentee, advising them on developing sections of a proposal, and reviewing proposals in the group. Coaches will help the group find answers to other issues that may surface, such as how to contact NIH Program Officers or how to select a study section.
- Each pod is self-governing. Coaches will arrange meetings and, together with the pod members, determine when the pod will meet. We will provide a dedicated team folder in Box for pod members to upload and share proposal sections for review.
- Several large group events and/or workshops for all participants will provide mentees with additional tools and knowledge needed to successfully develop and write a high-quality NIH R01 (or equivalent) proposal, such as grant writing, budgets, biostatistics, time management, and more.
- Learn how to present a well-conceptualized research project/grant idea persuasively.
- Gain insight about what grant reviewers are looking.
- Learn how to identify and request the best study section for reviewing your proposal.
- Learn how to communicate with your program officer.
- Become a peer reviewer within your own pod.
- Prepare and present a Chalk Talk to receive feedback on your Specific Aims.
- Pick up best practices from widely-acclaimed experts at Grant Writers’ Seminars about how to “Write Winning Grant Proposals” with a focus on NIH.
- Create a cross-disciplinary, supportive network with other new investigators at UW–Madison.
Applicants must:
- Be UW–Madison faculty members: Scientists, or assistant or associate professors. Mentees can be from any department, school, or college on the UW campus.
- Have not been a PI on an NIH R01 grant proposal.
- Have demonstrated interest in obtaining extramural funding and have the data and idea ready to submit within one year of completing the MATRIX program.
- Be willing to seek out and enlist the participation of an External Subject Matter Expert (ESME). Once identified, mentees should send names and contact information to the MATRIX Program email: matrixmentoring@med.wisc.edu.
- Have a draft, however rudimentary, of an Aims page.
- Gain approval from department chair (or division head) documented via cover letter attached to application.
Selection Process: Applications will be 1) vetted by an admissions committee to determine readiness to prepare an R01 equivalent grant, and 2) sent to Chairs or Division Heads to confirm consent for the mentee’s participation in the program and their support during its duration.
The MATRIX program runs from September to June. Applications will now open June 1–August 15.
Please submit to the MATRIX application portal:
- Cover letter co-signed by applicant and Department Chair (or Division Head). Applicants should download and use the appropriate template provided (SMPH vs. non-SMPH applicants):
- SMPH mentee applicants, please use: SMPH Mentee Cover Letter (DOCX)
- Non-SMPH applicants, please use: Non-SMPH Mentee Cover Letter (DOCX)
- NIH Biosketch (5 pages maximum). You may use the “A. Personal Statement” to describe how the MATRIX program will benefit you.
- Draft Aims Page
Mentees are expected to participate in required program events:
- Opening Ceremony
- Monthly Team Meetings
- Mid-Point Event and NIH-style Mock Review
- Closing Ceremony
MATRIX Mentee Application Process
Coach Application Process
MATRIX is a 9-month, multi-tiered, structured program specifically designed to help first-time R01 (or equivalent) UW–Madison applicants successfully secure grant funding. Programs like MATRIX have been implemented by top-funded universities around the country, proving successful time and again. However, the success of the program depends greatly on the network of support the applicant receives during the writing period, which is where coaches, as leaders, can make a difference.
Faculty members with strong NIH funding track records and peer-review experience will serve as coaches in MATRIX to guide mentees through the process of developing NIH research project grant proposals (or equivalent), while encouraging peer support and feedback. SMPH encourages qualified UW–Madison faculty to get involved in the program to provide this highly relevant support to early-career applicants.
During the program, coaches will help mentees identify an External Subject Matter Expert (ESME, a peer expert outside of UW), who will provide a critical NIH-style review on mentees’ near-final proposals before the grant application deadline.
Once an EMSE is identified, the mentee should send their names and contact information to the MATRIX Program email: matrixmentoring@med.wisc.edu.
- One coach will be assigned to a group of two to four mentees (a pod). All pods will meet with their coach in two monthly meetings (or frequency determined by pod/team), January through September (in addition to the closing ceremony). The coach serves as the “process” expert to guide the group through NIH policies and practices and development of an R01 equivalent grant application.
- Small group activities include helping to determine a realistic deadline for each mentee, advising them on developing sections of a proposal, and reviewing proposals in the group. Coaches will help the group find answers to other issues that may surface, such as how to contact NIH Program Officers or how to select a study section.
- Each pod is self-governing. Coaches will be given “general” guidelines on discussing grant sections, arranging meetings, and — together with the pod members — determining when the pod will meet. We will provide a dedicated team folder in Box for pod members to upload and share proposal sections for review. Individual team folders are only accessible to designated pod members.
- Share knowledge you have gained
- Guide and encourage new researchers
- Learn about new technologies and discoveries
- Work in an interdisciplinary/translational group
- Contribute to the research mission of UW–Madison
- Receive $2,000 per mentee (up to 4) to be paid as an overload
Applicants must:
- Be faculty members with primary appointments as associate or full professors at UW–Madison. Coaches can be from any department, school, or college on the UW campus.
- Have been a PI on at least one NIH R01 grant proposal.
- Have experience as a grant reviewer (ideally NIH).
- Have demonstrated interest and experience in mentoring.
Selection Process: Selection will be made based on:
- Strength of experience, both as an investigator and a mentor.
- Match with scientific composition of mentee teams.
Each coach will receive $2,000 per mentee (up to 4) to be paid as an overload.
The MATRIX program runs from September to June. Applications will now open June 1–August 15.
Submit required materials in the application portal:
- NIH Biosketch (5 pages maximum). You may use the “A. Personal Statement” to describe your interest in mentoring.
Coaches are expected to participate in required program events:
- Opening Ceremony
- Full-day Grant Writing Seminar
- Biostatistics Workshop
- Mid-Year Event — To Be Announced
- Closing Ceremony
MATRIX Coach Application Process
Additional Matrix Components
MATRIX is a structured mentoring program that provides mentees with a multi-tiered approach involving a series of large and small group venues that participants will actively participate in.
Large Group Events and Workshops: Designed for all participants in the cohort, these large group events will provide mentees with the tools and knowledge needed to successfully develop and write a high-quality NIH R01 (or equivalent) proposal. Example topics may include grant writing, budgets, biostatistics, time management, and more. Large group events tentatively planned for the MATRIX Cohort include:
- Opening Ceremony (September)
- Full-day Grant Writing Seminar (February)
- Biostatistics Workshop (TBD)
- Mid-Year Event — To Be Announced (February)
- Closing Ceremony (June)
Small Group Peer Activities: Small group activities will serve as a platform for self-directed interdisciplinary activities for a pod of two to four mentees and one faculty coach. Each of these groups will meet at least monthly and provide an interactive environment for mentees to share, review, provide feedback, and address challenges in proposal sections.
Individualized coaching by faculty members with successful funding records who commit to mentor, meet, and advise their group and department chairs.
Chalk Talks (optional): Chalk Talks, to be completed within the first three months of the program in consultation with the home department, will consist of a one-hour presentation by the mentee to experienced researchers to gain feedback on Specific Aims to strengthen proposal development.
External Review: External Subject Matter Experts (ESMEs) will be recruited and paid to provide an NIH-style critique on the final draft of mentees’ proposals at least six-weeks before the grant application deadline.
External Subject Matter Experts (ESMEs) work with mentees to review their proposal in advance of the grant application deadline. The coach will help the mentee identify and recruit an ESME who can provide a critical NIH-style review of a near-final draft of the proposal, and who has pertinent NIH study section experience.
To obtain an ESME review, the mentee will obtain acceptance from the ESME and then send the name and contact information to matrixmentoring@med.wisc.edu so an agreement can be sent. The program manager will facilitate the review process, and once completed, the ESME receives $1000 for their service.
The ESME is expected to keep all research confidential and return the provided NIH research proposal review template within two to three weeks. Please note that it is best to obtain this review at least six (6) weeks in advance of the grant application deadline to allow time for further refinement and data assimilation.
Please send inquiries to matrixmentoring@med.wisc.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost to the SMPH department per mentee is estimated to be about $2,000 due to the financial support of SMPH Dean Ahuja. For departments outside of SMPH, please reference the section titled “For non-SMPH Mentees.”
The cost to departments/units outside of SMPH is estimated to be about $10,000 per non-SMPH mentee. This commitment needs to be articulated in the mentee application cover letter, which is co-signed by the applicant and Department Chair (or Division Head). MATRIX recognizes the current challenging situation we are facing. We have managed to lower the cost to $8K for mentees not affiliated with SMPH for the time being. Like SMPH, we encourage your department chair and dean to contribute towards the expenses of this important mentoring program.
Please contact the MATRIX Program for more information: matrixmentoring@med.wisc.edu.
Yes. The mentee applicant must obtain Department Chair (or Division Head) approval to apply. This must be documented in a cover letter attached to the application that is co-signed by both the applicant and Chair/Head. This will be part of the selection process.
While the goal of the MATRIX Program is to develop an R01 application, we also will consider other “equivalent” research grant proposals.
MATRIX is open to scientists, but they must discuss it with the department chair first. In the discussion, the scientist and chair should be clear on expectations in case the R01 gets funded. The chair is expected to provide $2,000 towards enrollment for SMPH mentees, or $8,000 towards enrollment for non-SMPH mentees, and support the mentee all the way until submission of the proposal (protecting time for writing, etc).
A scientist who has not been a PI on an R01 is qualified to apply. The scientist will need a cover letter signed by their current employer and department chair. The employer’s signature will ensure that they get the protected time needed to write an R01, or equivalent, proposal.
The junior investigator would be eligible since they have yet been a PI on an R01.
Grant Writing Resources
- All About NIH Grants – Podcasts
- NIH Grants Process Overview
- NIH Grants YouTube Channel
- NIH – How to Write Your Application
- NIH – How to Apply – SF424 Application Guides & Instructions
- NIH Grants Policy Statement
- NIH – NIAID Variety of Sample Full Grant Applications
- NIH – NCI Variety of Sample Grant Applications (1)
- NIH – NCI Variety of Sample Grant Applications (2)
- Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops
- Tutorials for Application Sections
- NIAID Grant Writing Tips
More Information
Contact the MATRIX program email: matrixmentoring@med.wisc.edu
Program Administrators:
Susan Thibeault, PhD, Professor, Department of Surgery
MATRIX Faculty Director
thibeaul@wisc.edu
Debbie Melzter, MS, Emeritus Assistant Dean
MATRIX Program Director
dmeltzer@wisc.edu
Christy Schulz, MS, Director, Research Administration
MATRIX Administrative Staff
crschulz@wisc.edu
