T32 Best Practices Series

The T32 Best Practices series, sponsored by Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS), Biomedical Postdoctoral Programs (BPP), the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and the Office of the EVD/CSO aims to engage our T32 community in ongoing conversation around strategy, resources and best practices for T32 submissions and programs. Quarterly discussions target relevant topics for both faculty and staff. A summary of the best practices compiled through the course of this series can be found here. Presentation slides as well as other information on the sessions can be found below.

Past Workshops:

November 28th, 2023

T32 Best Practices – Faculty Session

This faculty and staff discussion was focused on training grants and the SCOTUS decision on Students For Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College AND SFFA v. University of North Carolina, featuring guidance.

View the slides from UPenn Associate General Counsel Sean Burke

November 17th, 2022

T32 Best Practices - Faculty and Staff Session

This faculty and staff discussion was focused on:

  • Lessons learned during the COVID era
  • New application requirements 
  • Biomedical Postdoc Program (BPP) Update 

View the slides for BPP Update and new application requirements

View AAMC Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors

May 3rd, 2021
T32 Best Practices – Faculty Session

This faculty focused discussion featured insight on best practices regarding:

  • Biomedical Postdoc Program (BPP) Update
  • Pre-doc applicant pool strategies
  • Post-doc applicant pool strategies

January 12th, 2021
T32 Best Practices – Faculty Session

This faculty focused discussion featured insight on best practices regarding:

  • Program Evaluation
  • Updates to Application
  • Biomedical Postdoc Program (BPP) Update

April 16th, 2020
T32 Best Practices – Faculty Session

This faculty focused discussion featured insight on best practices regarding:

  • T32 management during the COVID period
  • Mentoring
  • Advisory boards

November 6th, 2019
T32 Best Practices – Faculty Session

This faculty focused discussion featured insight on best practices regarding:

  • Management of trainee slots
  • Strategies for candidate selection
  • Year 5 appointments
  • Minority supplements

June 6th, 2019
T32 Best Practices – Staff Session

This staff-led discussion featured insight on best practices regarding:

  • Overview of required data, data collection processes, generating and summarizing tables
  • Staff-focused best practices – timelines, tracking systems, etc.
  • Strategies for improving data collection on post-docs and tracking prior trainees' positions and grants

View the slides for the Staff Session

April 24, 2019
T32 Best Practices Discussion - Diversity in T32s

This conversation on T32 applications will address:

  • How can you attract diversity trainees?
  • Tracking outcomes and successes
  • Adding innovation to training programs

View the slides for Diversity in T32s

November 5, 2018
T32 Best Practices Discussion - Current and Prospective PI Session

This PI-led conversation on T32 applications will address:

  • How to capitalize on Penn’s unique resources
  • How to balance science training and professional development skills

View meeting notes for Current and Prospective PI Session

April 24, 2018
T32 Best Practices Discussion - Status and Strategic Support for T32s

This conversation on T32 applications will address:

  • Logistical Support for T32 Proposals
  • What constitutes a “training program” for postdocs?
  • What do reviewers look for in a training grant?

View the slides for Status and Strategic Support for T32s