The Evans Center began on the Medical Campus, providing the groundwork and tools to facilitate biomedical team science. IBRO expands the reach of those efforts to the Charles River Campus, encouraging more robust collaboration across the University and inspiring initiatives that are larger in scope. The Evans Center remains focused on investigator-initiated research topics, while IBRO develops cross-campus programs around research strengths at BU and initiatives with the potential to develop into University-wide research initiatives and programs.<\/p>\n
Why focus on Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research?<\/h2>\n
While we have made great strides in fostering interdisciplinary research at BU, in some areas discovery has been limited by the bounded nature of traditional structures. Advanced research and discovery mandate effective integration of physical and life sciences and disciplines, as well as development of platforms that facilitate cross-discipline collaboration. Often, the potential of integrative approaches and discovery is lost when the burden of identifying collaborators or expertise out of a knowledge-based comfort zone is solely left to individual investigators.<\/p>\n
The extraordinary strengths in the biomedical, life, and physical sciences at Boston University and the remarkable collaborative environment combine to create an opportunity for new interdisciplinary approaches to both research and training. Boston University’s Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Office integrates the lessons learned from the Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research<\/a> and has created a strategic partnership between BU, Department of Medicine and the Center for Translational Science Institute (CTSI) to catalyze interdisciplinary research.<\/p>\n Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n Dear Colleagues:<\/p>\n BU recognizes the importance of team science<\/a>. By developing programs and activities to encourage biomedical team science at all levels\u2014through IBRO, the Evans Center, and other initiatives\u2014we maintain a competitive edge in securing grant funding and advancing biomedical discoveries.<\/p>\n Ready to get involved with Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research? Let us know your research interests, ideas, and some basic information through this short survey and we’ll help connect you with potential collaborators.<\/p>\n Take the Survey<\/a><\/div>\n The mission of BU IBRO is to facilitate new and current areas of interdisciplinary biomedical research, using strategic as well as facilitated and faculty-driven initiatives to stimulate and support existing and new research and training across campuses of BU. The new office works with the BU medical campus and the Charles River campus faculty and leadership, including the Clinical Translational Science Institute, to develop synergistic and complementary research initiatives.<\/p>\n Members of the IBRO Advisory Board<\/a> represent both the Medical and Charles River campuses. I invite you to join us in this exciting mission and opportunity.<\/p>\n Sincerely yours, Affinity Research Collaboratives (ARCs) represent a new paradigm for investigator-initiated interdisciplinary biomedical research, developed by the Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research at the Medical School. Investigators and faculty throughout the BU community are encouraged to apply for a new ARC or join an existing ARC. The Evans Center is particularly interested in supporting innovative research questions that offer opportunities for broad, interdisciplinary collaboration. Learn More<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n IBRO uses the ARC mechanism to create opportunities for collaborative, interdisciplinary research at the university level. This translates into continued development of ARCs, but also of larger scope initiatives that have the potential to develop into university programs. Further, initiatives based at IBRO mandate co-leadership by faculty from the Medical and Charles River campuses. IBRO adds to its portfolio strategic planning of investigators-initiated ARC themes based on knowledge of upcoming announcements of extramural funding. The Evans Center and IBRO director will continue to work closely with faculty, whether during the process of ARC assembly or through suggestions for areas of development.<\/p>\n A pre-ARC assembly is required as it allows a group to explore in more depth a research theme via meetings or workshops prior to applying for an ARC status and funding. During the pre-ARC phase, investigators approach Dr. Ravid with a suggested theme (at times, also vice versa), and Dr. Ravid meets with the group several times.<\/p>\n Funding is available for pre-ARCs to organize meetings and seminars over a period of about six months.<\/p><\/div>\n Following self selection the pre-ARC decides, often in consultation with Dr. Ravid, whether to submit an ARC application (available in ECIBR or IBRO web sites).<\/p>\n Download Application<\/a><\/p>\n Applications are due in April\/May each year. An ARC review panel, consisting of 9-12 senior investigators reviews and scores applications using NIH scaling. Reviewers are selected based on expertise in ARC research topics and in consultation with other BU leadership. Applicants are notified within 2 weeks, including constructive critiques.<\/p><\/div>\n Once an ARC receives a high score, it is funded for a year. Funding has ranged from 50-75K per year per ARC, depending on careful justification. Yearly reports are submitted and funding can be renewed for up to 3 years pending yearly review with a rigorous set of criteria.<\/p><\/div>\n Graduated ARCs can become ARC programs based on securing extramural funding, and through this ARC-Program status a new field of research is created at BU. Some funding is available to such successful ARC-programs for organizing a research retreat and workshops.<\/p><\/div>\n Members of a graduated ARC could assemble a new ARC, if the theme is novel and innovative.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Research Plan<\/strong> IBRO ARC Leadership<\/strong> Interdisciplinary<\/strong>
\nFrom the Director<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"\/research\/files\/2022\/12\/KRavid_150x150.jpeg\")
Boston University has a wealth of talent and knowledge in different fields. I am pleased to take part in continuing and enhancing the university\u2019s mission of developing opportunities for interdisciplinary research by leading a new Boston University Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research office (IBRO), launched in 2015, under the auspices of BU’s Office of Research and the Department of Medicine.<\/p>\nGet Involved<\/h2>\n
\nKatya Ravid<\/a>
\nDirector, Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Office
\nProfessor of Medicine and Biochemistry<\/p>\n
\nOpportunities & Related Offerings<\/h2>\n
Affinity Research Collaboratives<\/h3>\n
Creating & Connecting Research: The Process<\/h4>
Pre-ARC<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Pre-ARC to ARC<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
ARC status and funding<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Graduated ARC to ARC-Program<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Form a new ARC?<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Key Elements of an ARC<\/h4>
\nYearly evaluation of ARCs is based on:<\/p>\n\n
\nEach ARC should have a research plan that:<\/p>\n\n
\nIBRO expects co-leadership of faculty from MED and CR campuses.<\/p>\n
\nARC consists of at least 5 active investigators and need faculty from 3 or more BU departments and at least one department from the CRC and Medical Campuses of BU, including DOM. Past ARCs usually ranged between 7 to 21 members.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nEvents & Resources<\/h3>\n
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\nContact Us<\/h2>\n