Research, Discovery & Innovation

Office for Research Careers

Our mission is to support the professional needs of the research community at the Brigham. We strive to support research trainees and faculty across the academic continuum by providing resources to support and promote career and professional development, enhance the training experience, and foster effective mentoring.

The ORC sits under the Brigham Research Institute and often collaborates with the Postdoctoral Association and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion to offer myriad opportunities to the diverse research community.

Highlights from the Office for Research Careers

ORC Awards

BWH PLC Travel Support for BWH Postdocs

Due Friday, October 4, 2024

$500 to $1,000 awards towards travel expenditures for BWH postdocs attending conferences. Awards will be administered biannually in the Fall (October) and Spring (April).

Postdoc Scholars Award for Excellence in Mentoring

Nominations accepted annually in September.

$500-$1,000 cash awards recognizing postdoctoral fellows’ efforts in mentoring fellow postdocs, students or interns on research projects and/or career development.

Faculty Career Development Awards

Due Monday, February 26, 2024

$30,000 of transitional funding during the early critical years of an academic career when junior faculty are juggling increased professional and personal responsibilities. Priority is given to primary caregivers, faculty who are URiM, or women faculty.

Research Staff Excellence Awards

No longer offered

Two awards of $1,000. Research Assistants/Technicians and Clinical Research Coordinators (or similar) at the Brigham are eligible to apply. Does not include postdoctoral fellows.

Microgrants

Rolling application.

Small awards, typically $500 – $1,500, to support junior investigators pursuing a new scientific project, training, or collaboration not otherwise funded in their labs. Up to $2,500 available for URiM, women, health equity projects, and collaborations.

Scientific & Grant Writing

ORC Abstract Writing Workshop

Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 2-4pm

Join the ORC to learn how to write your best abstract, then stay for a live in-person workshopping session with your draft! All BWH researchers welcome.

Grammarly

Free access to the English writing assistance software for all MGB users! Sign in with your MGB credentials.

Harvard Catalyst Writing Center

Harvard Catalyst’s Writing and Communication Center is a comprehensive collection of tools, trainings, and resources that empower clinical/translational research team members in any stage of their careers

ORC Grant Editing Service

Sign up for a 1-week editing slot.
Get individual feedback from the ORC’s part-time grant editor, Dr. Brenda Birmann. Brenda assists with English language, grammar, writing style, clarity and formatting in line with NIH guidelines. Brenda does not provide scientific review, so you should still seek scientific feedback from your mentor(s).

Grants & Funding Resources

Researchers can search for funding, get resources for writing grants, find out about the latest funding opportunities at the Brigham and sign up for our Friday Funding Opportunities Newsletter.

Professional Development

Postdoc Scholars Award for Excellence in Mentoring

Nominations accepted annually in September.

$500-$1,000 cash awards recognizing postdoctoral fellows’ efforts in mentoring fellow postdocs, students or interns on research projects and/or career development.

Mentoring Resources

There are many mentoring opportunities across BWH, MGB, and HMS. If you are interested in taking on additional responsibilities in mentoring, we encourage you to

word cloud representing the BWH Mentoring Circles Program for postdocs

Mentoring Circles Program (MCP)

MCP is a program created by postdocs, for postdocs, to help fellows get the most out of their training at BWH. Two mentors (senior postdocs) meet 5-7 mentees (junior postdocs) on a monthly basis to give advice and advance their career.

CURE Mentoring Program

The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences Program (CURE), administered by the DF/HCC Initiative to Eliminate Cancer Disparities, allows postdocs to mentor a high school or

BWH Mentoring Toolkit

The Brigham and Women’s Hospital Mentoring Curriculum & Toolkit was developed to help mentors and mentees in academic medical settings navigate the challenges of mentoring

Latest Brigham Research Institute News

Meet the New Postdoc Leadership Council

August 28, 2024

The Brigham and Women’s Hospital Postdoctoral Leadership Council is the governing body of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Postdoctoral Association. It is a voluntary organization

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