ARI Overview

About: The Advanced Research Institute in Geriatric Mental Health (ARI) is an educational program designed to increase the number of independent investigators conducting translational, 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; PI: M. Bruce).

Aim: ARI’s explicit aim is that each ARI Scholar achieves NIH R01 or equivalent funding and assumes the responsibilities of independent scientists.  More generally, ARI promotes the career development of its Scholars as researchers and mentors.

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 are midway through a mentored career development award or have demonstrated equivalent achievements. Scholars usually participate in the program for two years. A list of past ARI participants is available.

Process: ARI matches each participant, called an ARI Scholar, with an external mentor drawn from a national pool of senior investigators. The ARI mentor, in collaboration with the local mentor, provides general career development and grant-specific guidance.  Scholars generally participate for two years. During that time, ARI Scholars attend an annual spring retreat  and are offered opportunities to participate in small, web-based, work-in-progress seminars; consult with NIH program officers and other senior experts; and obtain supplemental support for pilot or relevant research development activities.

The ARI program 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.
• Small Group Web Seminars: ARI offers Scholars the opportunity to schedule web-based follow-up presentations of research plans to small, targeted groups of mentors and consultants.  
• Consultation: ARI provides numerous opportunities for Scholars to obtain technical consultation from senior scientific experts through one-on-one contact, including travel to their home institutions and labs.

ARI is committed to recruiting and retaining individuals with disabilities, ethnic and racial minoriities, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.