Trail Guide Research Mentorship

Office of the Vice Provost for Research

Trail Guide Research Mentorship Program

Developing competitive grant proposals is both an art and a science, and ETSU is home to many faculty who have mastered the craft. The overarching goal of the third cohort of the OVPR Trail Guide Research Mentorship Program is to equip ETSU faculty who are competing for extramural funding – regardless of rank or tenure status – with the resources and mentorship that will position them for funding success.

The OVPR Trail Guide Research Mentorship Program provides ETSU faculty with intensive mentorship, required monthly learning sessions, and editing support over an 8-month period. During the program, participants will develop a proposal ready to be submitted to an external funding entity at program completion.

Applications for 2025-2026 are now open. The application portal will close on Friday, June 13th, 2025. Email Meredith Tallent with any questions. 

Apply Here

 

  • Participant Requirements
    • Attend eight in-person sessions held on Fridays from 9am-1pm from August 2025-April 2026

     

    • Meet proactively and at least monthly with assigned mentor throughout the program life cycle

     

    • Submit deliverables to mentor on schedule

     

    • Plan, develop, and submit a competitive grant proposal to targeted funding agency at the end of the program
  • Required Application Materials

    Applications are submitted via Qualtrics.

    Applicants should be prepared to upload two PDF documents as part of the application:

    • A cover letter (2 pages maximum) that describes the participant’s research area and rationale for participating in the program. The cover letter should also include an attestation that the applicant’s Chair is supportive of their participation in the program.

     

    • Current CV or NIH/NSF Biosketch
  • Selection Process

    While the OVPR desires to allow all applicants to participate, the number of accepted participants may be limited depending on the number of and expertise of mentors willing and able to participate in the program.

  • Notable Dates

    The application portal will close on Friday, June 13th. 

  • 2024-2025 Participants
    Dr. Amber Arsenault Nursing
    Dr. Kristie Calvin Educational Foundations & Special Education
    Dr. Daniel Gahreman Exercise Science
    Dr. Paul Garton Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis
    Dr. Mary Jo Hedrick Strong Brain Institute
    Dr. Laura Kappel Office of the Dean
    Megan Krupa Curriculum & Instruction
    Dr. Luann Ley Davis Educational Foundations & Special Education
    Dr. Saurabh Mehta Rehabilitation Sciences
    Dr. MD Rasheduzzaman  Environmental & Occupational Health and Safety Sciences
    Dr. Narges Sareh Early Childhood Education
    Dr. Shehenaz Shaik Computing
    Dr. Kendrea Todt Nursing
    Dr. Melessia Webb Nursing
    Dr. Jingyuan Zhang Educational Foundations & Special Education

     

  • 2023-2024 Participants
    Dr. Manik Ahuja Health Services Management & Policy
    Dr. Jon Borland Counseling & Human Services
    Dr. Kara Boynewicz Rehabilitative Sciences
    Marie Cantwell Exercise Sciences
    Dr. Allie Chroust Psychology
    Dr. Suman Dalal Biomedical Health Sciences
    Dr. KariLynn Dowling-McClay Pharmacy Practice
    Dr. Jean Hemphill Nursing
    Dr. Jody Lashay Jennings Curriculum & Instruction
    Dr. Michelle Johnson Rehabilitative Sciences
    Dr. Kwangman Ko Counseling & Human Services
    Dr. Christine Lewis Counseling & Human Services
    Dr. Wondi Manalew Health Services Management & Policy
    Dr. Erin Mauck Community & Behavioral Health
    Dr. Kristen Montgomery Nursing
    Dr. Jodi Southerland Community & Behavioral Health
    Dr. Constanze Weise History
    Dr. Pi-Ming Yeh Nursing

    Trail Guide Research Mentorship Program FY24