2023 Call for Proposals

Webinar Zoom Recording: Click here to watch

AIM-AHEAD Fellowship Program in Leadership will engage a diverse group of participants from underrepresented populations to actively participate in mentored didactic and experiential educational activities to acquire the leadership competencies necessary to promote and achieve the strategic imperatives of AIM-AHEAD.

The AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center invites applications for a Leadership Fellowship in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity. The overarching goal of AIM-AHEAD is to increase the participation and engagement of researchers and communities currently underrepresented in AI/ML to utilize the power of AI/ML to achieve health equity through mutually beneficial partnerships. It has become clear, however, even in the early stages of this initiative, that AI/ML lacks diverse researchers and underrepresented communities of practice. The acquisition of AI/ML skills by individuals from these diverse backgrounds, that extend AI/ML beyond academic settings and into the community, promises to improve the science and increase the availability of relevant data. Yet technical competence alone does not assure the continued expansion and adoption of AI/ML among the populations of interest. It requires talented people of color and disadvantage from diverse settings sufficiently conversant in AI/ML to translate its promise for advancing health equity and who, in turn, can attract others to join in this common agenda.

This Leadership Fellowship program seeks to prepare tomorrow’s leaders to champion the use of AI/ML in addressing persistent health disparities in ways that develop the human capital to promote continued engagement, adoption, and expansion of AI/ML at the level of programs, systems, and policies. Leadership Fellows will be matched with mentors based on AI/ML expertise, leadership experience, and sector.

Expected Outcomes and Impact of the Program

The Leadership Fellowship program is expected to expand the AIM-AHEAD consortium, participate in other AIM-AHEAD consortium programs and enhance the professional networks of AIM-AHEAD stakeholders, particularly those from groups underrepresented in AI/ML research. Graduates of the Leadership Fellowship Program can serve as advocates in their community regarding the use of AI/ML as a tool to address health disparities.  

In addition to mentorship, the fellows will have access to comprehensive resources, including opportunities to:

1. Receive a fellowship award of $50,000. The fellowship award will be paid to the fellow as nine equal payments at the end of each month for the nine months of the program.
2. Access resources across all Consortium Cores
3. Take targeted trainings and courses specific to AI/ML and Health Equity education. Some examples include:

    

   Courses

   • Basic AI/ML Overview 
   • AI Essentials for Healthcare
   • Health Disparities, Cultural Competencies & Equity
   • Ethics & AI/ML
   • Leadership Perspectives 
   • Keys to Influencing
   • Enhancing Your Leadership Presence
   • Leading Work Teams

    

   Trainings

   • VADSTI Data Science Training Program
   • Unconscious Bias 

    

   Team Projects

   The Team Project is designed for Fellows to work together with other members of AIM-AHEAD to get hands-on experience working with a curated data set that will allow them to use AI/ML to address a research question focusing on a health disparities outcome associated with North Star III. Five teams (each with 5 Fellows) will receive a separate curated data set to complete this project. Each dataset will be fully de-identified and with patient data related to one of the North Star III health disparities outcomes. Each team will be connected with an AIM-AHEAD Data Bridge (AADB) methodologist who will provide scientific guidance and conduct the analysis. Teams of fellows will be provided access to a Virtual Machine (VM) which will contain the data and tools required for analysis. AADB personnel will provide a concierge service to facilitate access to the VM and troubleshoot any technical issues. Each team will create a presentation that will include possible solutions and present it to a lay audience.  Findings from this project will be presented at the Annual AIM AHEAD meeting.  

    

   Datasets include:

   • Cardiometabolic Risk Prediction in Maternal Health
   • Voice-Assisted Personal Assistance in Heart Failure
   • Mental Health Data on Schizophrenia
   • Opioid Data
   • Cardiometabolic, Cancer, and Behavioral Health: Onset of Disease During COVID-19

    

   Below you will find a list of all the different components required to for the Team Projects:

   1. Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Training
   2. Institutional Review Board (IRB) Institutional approval
   3. Data Use Agreement (DUA)

    

   Hub Engagement

   As part of your leadership component, we have asked Fellows to participate in Hub events or activities including leadership or professional development opportunities.  Each Hub leader will receive an email with a list of the fellows that are located within their Hub. Next an email will be sent to the Hub leader and Fellows making a virtual introduction. The Hub engagement will provide a better understanding of the aspects of the Leadership and Administration Core that operate at a more “local” level. The goal of this activity includes reflection on the interactions and identifying one’s growth in knowledge, understanding, and/or skills during or as a result of the Hub Engagement.

    

   Workgroup Engagement

   Our Fellowship Program in Leadership would like to invite you to sign up for a workgroup of your choice. The workgroup meetings will create a great virtual space for both leadership and technical skills. The workgroups will also allow you to work alongside cross-functional leaders; which could also help in the development of your projects.  

    

4. Establish meaningful working relationships with mentors who have expertise in AI/ML, Health Equity and community engagement.
5. Participate in workshops and seminars in leadership principles, strategies, case examples and lessons learned.
6. Participate in bimonthly professional development and networking activities.
7. Participate in Hub Activities of the fellow’s place of residence to gain first-hand exposure of how local stakeholders are being integrated into AIM-AHEAD Consortium.
8. Work together with the mentors to develop a study question and work with a community organization on a collaborative project.
9. As existing opportunities permit, fellows may either independently pursue the aforementioned study question or can join a study already in progress aligned with their interests. The Fellowship Program will identify the latter opportunities and assist fellows in joining such efforts.
10. Participate in a Team Project that is designed for Fellows to collaborate with other members of AIM-AHEAD to address a health disparities-focused research question associated with North Star III by applying AI/ML to a curated data set.
11. Work closely with the AIM-AHEAD Applied Ethical AI Subcore during the formulation and management of their community and Team projects.
12. Engage online with other Fellows in current, past and future cohorts through AIM-AHEAD Connect.

Fellowships are expected to begin by: September  15, 2023 for a duration of nine months.

Eligibility:

1. Applicants must be:
   1. U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Non-Citizen U.S. Nationals
      • US Citizen definition: any individual who is a citizen of the United States by law, birth, or naturalization (https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=42-USC-630966247-802284531&term_occur=1&term_src=title:42:chapter:99:section:9102)
      • Permanent Residents definition: a status given to United States immigrants/non-citizen who can legally live in the United States forever (https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/lawful_permanent_resident_(lpr))
      • Non-Citizen Nationals definition: a person born in an outlying possession of the United States on or after the date of formal acquisition of the United States at birth (https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1408)
   2. Accepted applicants must be able to submit a W-9 tax form
   3. Affiliated with one of the following entities:
      1. Institutions of higher education such as, but not limited to Historically Black Colleges/Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges/Universities, and other designated minority-serving institutional equivalents;
      2. Healthcare organizations, e.g., healthcare delivery systems, insurers/payers, or regulatory bodies;
      3. Business enterprises, e.g., pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries;
      4. Local or state health departments;
      5. Independent research or policy institutes;
      6. Community organizations, e.g., local, regional, and national healthcare advocates, or
      7. Faith-based institutions.
2. The goal of the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center is to diversify the research workforce in AI/ML and Health Equity. Therefore, consistent with the NIH’s Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031: Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity), the following individuals are highly encouraged to apply for the Fellowship support:
   1. Individuals from health disparity populations that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis (see data at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/showpub.cfm?TopID=2&SubID=27 and the report Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering). The following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. In addition, it is recognized that underrepresentation can vary from setting to setting; individuals from racial or ethnic groups that can be demonstrated convincingly to be underrepresented by the grantee institution should be encouraged to participate in NIH programs to enhance diversity. more information on racial and ethnic categories and definitions, see the OMB Revisions to the Standards for Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1997-10-30/html/97-28653.htm).
   2. Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. See NSF data at: https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2017/nsf17310/static/data/tab7-5.pdf
   3. Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, defined as those who meet two or more of the following criteria:
      1. Were or currently are homeless, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Definition: https://nche.ed.gov/mckinney-vento/);
      2. Were or currently are in the foster care system, as defined by the Administration for Children and Families (Definition: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/focus-areas/foster-care);
      3. Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years (Definition: https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/income-eligibility- guidelines);
      4. Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree (see https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2018/2018009.pdf);
      5. Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants (Definition: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/fpg/eligibility.html);
      6. Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child (Definition: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-eligibility-requirements).
      7. Grew up in one of the following areas: a) a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer (https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/rural-health), or b) a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zip codes are included in the file). Only one of the two possibilities in #vii can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged background definition.

      Students from low socioeconomic (SES) status backgrounds have been shown to obtain bachelor’s and advanced degrees at significantly lower rates than students from middle and high SES groups (see https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_tva.asp), and are subsequently less likely to be represented in biomedical research. For background see Department of Education data at, https://nces.ed.gov/; https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_tva.asp; https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/advancing-diversity-inclusion.pdf.

   4. Literature shows that women from the above backgrounds (categories A and B) face particular challenges at the graduate level and beyond in scientific fields. (See, e.g., From the NIH: A Systems Approach to Increasing the Diversity of Biomedical Research Workforce https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5008902/).

      Women are known to be underrepresented in doctorate-granting research institutions at senior faculty levels in most biomedical-relevant disciplines, and may also be underrepresented at other faculty levels in some scientific disciplines (See data from the National Science Foundation National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering, special report available at https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2017/nsf17310/, especially Table 9-23, describing science, engineering, and health doctorate holders employed in universities and 4-year colleges, by broad occupation, sex, years since doctorate, and faculty rank).

3. We are particularly interested in applicants from historically underrepresented groups in AI/ML, such as women, racial/ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, individuals from rural or socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and those of LGBTQIA identity.
4. Individuals that have been accepted and participated in the AIM-AHEAD Fellowship Program in Leadership Cohort 1 are ineligible to apply for the AIM-AHEAD Fellowship Program in Leadership Cohort 2. We encourage all individuals in Cohort 1 to apply to other AIM-AHEAD CFPs.

Application Components:

Please use single space, Arial 11pt font with minimum 0.5” margins.

1. Enter the following profile information on AIM-AHEAD Connect:
   • Your name, organization, department (if applicable), position title, areas of interest/expertise, email address, and (optional) your profile web page 
   • Your gender and race/ethnicity 
2. Biosketch (5 pages limit) in NIH (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm) or other format (Curriculum vitae of 5 pages is acceptable)
3. Statement of interest (limit 3 pages, not including references) addressing the following questions:
   • Why are you interested in becoming a champion of AI/ML for your community?  How would these skills align with your current interests and future career goals?
   • What is your level of familiarity with (and/or interest in) Social Determinants of Health, Health Equity, Health Disparities, program management, organizational innovation, AI/ML analysis, EHR data, biomedical science, public health background and cloud-based computation if any?
   • What question most interests you in regard to AI/ML research that may address the health disparities that afflict the population(s) with which you work?
   • With respect to your question of interest, are you currently affiliated with a particular stakeholder organization or community that shares this interest and which might join you in addressing it?   
   • How do you envision applying the skills, knowledge, and lessons learned through this fellowship to promote the appropriate, equitable use of AI/ML to reduce health disparities?
4. Two letters of reference
   • Signed letter from home agency/institution approving the dedicated time for  your participation in the full 9-month leadership program
   • Signed letter from an appropriate key stakeholder setting or program approving engagement with the stakeholder/program in applying AI/ML methods to data within its control to host your 9- months of participation in the leadership program. Please note: The home agency/institution and key stakeholder may be the same organization for some applicants.

Program Expectations:

Fellows will be expected to participate in all components of the Leadership Program, which include:

1. Highly focused, basic instruction in AI/ML methods with an emphasis on the benefit for diverse individuals, programs, agencies, and communities. This element will draw upon select offerings available through the Data Science Training Core. Health equity and health disparities will be interwoven throughout all training components.
2. Affiliation with a diverse stakeholder setting, e.g., a healthcare agency, minority-serving institution, business enterprise, or community organization, that is engaged in AI/ML or has interest in applying AI/ML methods to data in a manner consistent with the scientific objectives of AIM-AHEAD.
3. Continuous mentorship by experienced, skilled individuals who will guide the fellows in exploring the potential benefits and risks of applying AI/ML methods to address health disparities, and will help foster leadership skills using the servant leadership model to assist the fellows in navigating the organizational cultures and climates to strengthen their communities.
4. Conducting or participating in a study that involves the use of AI/ML to address health disparities relevant to a particular population or health setting.  Mentors will assist fellows in finalizing the design and pursuit of new questions. Alternatively, Fellowship Program staff will assist fellows in joining a study already in progress consistent with their interests.
5. Participate in a Team Project that is designed for Fellows to collaborate with other members of AIM-AHEAD to address a health disparities-focused research question associated with North Star III by applying AI/ML to a curated data set.
6. Consult with the AIM-AHEAD Applied Ethical AI Subcore during the formulation and management of their community and Team projects.
7. Providing updates on a regular basis for Progress Reports to the NIH and a final report of their project.
8. Participation in bimonthly virtual meetings of fellows that support:
1. Instruction in leadership principles, strategies, and tactics embedded within case examples.
2. Opportunities to share individual progress, challenges, and emerging solutions with an emphasis on lessons learned that illustrate these leadership principles, strategies, and tactics.
3. Pursuit of a study question in AI/ML and Health Equity through a collaborative project with a community stakeholder. As noted above, this effort may entail either a new line of inquiry or joining a project in progress. 
9. Participation in an AIM-AHEAD Work Group of the fellow’s choosing as a means of acquiring direct exposure to priority-setting, group decision-making, and implementation processes in AI/ML.
10. Participation in a select number of meetings of the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center and Leadership/Administrative Core for first-hand exposure to managerial processes and governance structures underlying coordinated solutions to the challenges of leading a nationwide, multi-year, high resource initiative.
11. Participation in Hub Activities of the fellow’s place of residence to gain first-hand exposure of how local stakeholders are being integrated into AIM-AHEAD Consortium.
12. Participation in the AIM-AHEAD annual meeting and/or another sponsored AIM-AHEAD meeting for the Leadership program.
13. Participation in a proactive evaluation of program process and outcomes, the results of which will inform the revision of subsequent offerings.

Leaders Alumni Program: Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in an AIM-AHEAD Leaders Alumni Program for sustained exposure to AI/ML health equity, and leadership skills to maintain human capital developed in the fellowship program.

Applications:

Please use this link to access, complete, and upload the above application components no later than June 20, 2023 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

Mentors:
Each awarded Fellow will receive mentorship from an experienced, skilled individual who will guide the fellow in applying AI/ML methods to address health disparities, and leadership skills to navigate the organizational cultures and climates in order to strengthen their communities. Applicants are not expected to identify a mentor at the time of application. The Fellowship Program will -- based upon such factors as health disparities interests, population of concern, AI/ML expertise, and ongoing work – identify, introduce, and secure the agreement of appropriate mentors to support the Fellows’ successful participation in the program. All costs related to mentors’ participation are absorbed by the Fellowship Program.

After acceptance into the program, Fellows will be matched with Mentors who have AI/ML and health equity expertise in research areas of interest to the Fellows. Mentors will be drawn from existing AIM-AHEAD members (and/or additional mentors recommended by the Fellows) as appropriate, but will also be recruited from a wide array of educational institutions, industry, and healthcare organizations.  Mentors will have demonstrated experience in leadership in health equity and/or AI/ML and will be drawn from various organizations, institutions and healthcare sectors.  Mentors will meet with the fellows virtually on a regular basis (no less than biweekly) and in person at the AIM-AHEAD annual meeting or another sponsored meeting.

Selection Process:

Applications will be reviewed using the following criteria and reviewer questions:

Applicant evaluation:

• Does the applicant describe her/his leadership and research interest in AI/ML to address health disparities?
• To what extent does the applicant have the potential to serve as a community leader in AI/ML?
• To what extent does the applicant demonstrate a familiarity with key concepts, such as social determinants of health and machine learning, that will be addressed during the Fellowship?
• Has the applicant identified affiliation with a stakeholder organization for which s/he will conduct their mentored community project during the Fellowship?
• To what extent has the applicant thoughtfully described how s/he will apply the skills, knowledge, and lessons learned through this fellowship to promote the appropriate, equitable use of AI/ML to reduce health disparities?
• To what extent do the applicant’s goals and expectations align with the goals of the AIM-AHEAD program?

Notification: Applicants should expect to be notified of their award status by August 25, 2023.

FELLOWSHIP PAYMENT:

Fellowship Financial Stipend

The AIM-AHEAD Leadership Fellowship offers each participating fellow a stipend of $50,000 to help defray living expenses during their training experience. This stipend can be used to pay for such expenses as faculty release time, travel to AIM-AHEAD meetings, training, conference fees and any needed supplies. Fellows are also expected to use these funds to travel to in-person AIM-AHEAD meeting.  This is a fixed amount stipend. A budget is not required for application.  Fellows are expected to dedicate a minimum of 25% of their time to this program. Fellows are expected to work with their Institution’s business office regarding their participation (time and effort) in the program.

Fellowship stipends will be paid as nine equal payments of $5,555 for each of the nine months of the program. Upon selection, each fellow will receive a Notice of Award from UNT Health Science Center’s AIM-AHEAD office. The letter will specify the award amount and next steps. 

Next Steps:

• Fellows will be given one week to accept or decline the award.
• If accepted Upon acceptance into the program, the Fellow will be required to complete a W9 form. The award recipient can be the individual Fellow or the fellow’s currently enrolled institution. A blank W-9 form will be provided along with the Notice of Award (NOA).
• Federal regulations require that such payments be made via direct deposit; consequently, UNT Health Science Center no longer makes payments by paper check. Upon accepting the award.  The Fellow must submit a completed Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form. A blank EFT form will be provided along with the NOA.
• Once the AIM-AHEAD office receives all the required documents, the Fellow should expect an Award Notification from InfoReady Platform. [Is this award notification different from the NOA mentioned above?  The preceding 2 bullets state the Fellow will receive the blank forms for completion along with the NOA]
• Once the program has commenced, fellows will receive their first installment check during the first week of the second month. 

Taxability of Fellowship Award:

Fellowship funds are considered taxable income for the recipient.  The Internal Revenue Service provides information about Fellowships on their website at: http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc421.html. For questions about how this Fellowship award might impact your taxes, please consult with your tax professional.

Forfeiture of Award:

The award could be rescinded at any point during the program, under any of the following circumstances:

• The Fellow no longer meets the Fellowship qualifications.
• The Fellow is placed on academic and/or institutional disciplinary probation.
• The Fellow does not make efforts to meet the Fellowship expectations.

Fellowship Time-Off:

Fellows are expected to participate throughout the entire 9 months of the fellowship, from September 15th, 2023 to June 14, 2024. Fellows may not take extended time-off from the fellowship; doing so will result in dismissal from the fellowship.

Mentors for the Leadership Fellowship Program

Eligibility criteria for AIM-AHEAD Mentors

• Expertise in (AI/ML or statistical analysis or EHR analysis expertise) and/or health equity, Social determinants of health expertise.
• Prior Mentorship experience
• Mentors can come from different sectors such as industry, non-profit organizations, healthcare organizations, faith-based institutions, or academic institutions.

Mentor’s expectations for AIM-AHEAD Mentors:

• Mentor will be committed to the training of the Fellow.
• Mentor will mentor Fellow and will be committed to building on the Fellow’s professional background and being supportive of the Fellow’s professional goals.
• Mentor will participate in ongoing and regular meetings with her/his Fellow to discuss progress.
• Mentor and Fellow will make time and effort commitment towards mentorship of the Fellow and use meetings to brainstorm ideas, address challenges, and outline next steps.
• Mentor will discuss career development with the Fellow.
• Mentor will participate in a formal meeting with the Fellow to discuss professional development goals.
• Mentor has the responsibility to allow time outside of the community project for Fellow engagement in professional development activities including, for example, professional development and networking activities, leadership training, or other informational sessions.
• Mentor will always treat Fellow and colleagues with respect.
• Mentor will be committed to being available to meet with the Fellow.
• Mentor and Fellow will agree on expected frequency of and preparation for meetings and expected timeframe for responding to emails and for providing feedback on work products.
• Mentor should give her/his full attention during meetings and should reach out to Fellows who are not making contact.
• Mentor will be supportive of the Fellow during both successful and discouraging periods.
• Mentor will communicate in a respectful and constructive manner.
• Mentor will take an interest in the Fellow’s well-being.
• Mentor will discuss and help clarify authorship or intellectual property issues.
• Mentor will model professional behavior in both interpersonal interactions and in scholarly integrity.
• Mentor will participate in mentor training and best practices discussions.
• Mentor will ask Fellows for constructive feedback on mentoring.
• AIM-AHEAD Mentors will receive a stipend of $10,000 as allowed by their institutional policy.
• AIM-AHEAD MPI cannot participate as AIM-AHEAD mentors per NIH requirements.

Terms and Conditions for AIM-AHEAD Mentors:

The Terms and Conditions will include the benefits and responsibilities that the mentors agree to when they accept the AIM-AHEAD mentor role. 

• Mentor should have Ph.D., MD, DO or equivalent qualification (such as Pharm. D., DNP, or Dr.PH).
• Mentor will submit a W9, EFT, and signed contract.
• Mentor must be affiliated with an organization (educational institution, private sector, community organization, etc.).
• Mentor will have no conflict of interest with AIM-AHEAD. Conflicts of interest include individuals serving as AIM-AHEAD Research Fellowship Stakeholders or currently working with AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center for the Leadership Fellowship.
• Mentor must be in good standing with her/his organization.
• Mentor and Fellow be from the same institution/organization.
• Mentor will receive a $10K stipend paid in two equal installments; The first installment will be paid at the midpoint of the program and the second installment will be paid at the conclusion of the program.
• Mentor will adhere to AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center policies, termination, non-compliant agreements, and these terms and conditions.

MENTORSHIP PAYMENT:

Fellows will be matched with Mentors who have AI/ML and health equity expertise. Fellows and Mentors will be required to participate jointly in select health equity education activities and to adhere to best practices in mentoring. 

Mentors will be compensated $10,000 for their time dedicated to mentorship. Payment will be made in two equal installments of $5000 each. The first installment of this professional fee will be paid the mid-point of the program and the second at the end of the program.

Upon selection for the program, the Mentor will receive official email notification from UNT Health Science Center’s AIM-AHEAD office. The notification will specify the award amount and next steps. 

Next Steps:

• Mentors will be given one week to accept or decline the mentorship opportunity.
• Upon acceptance into the program, the Mentor will be required to complete a W9 form. The award recipient can be the individual Mentor or Mentor’s affiliated institution. A blank W9 form will be provided along with the email notification.
• UNT Health Science Center no longer makes payments by paper check. Hence, if accepting mentorship, the Mentor must provide a completed Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form. A blank EFT form will be provided along with the notification email.
• Once the AIM-AHEAD office receives the two required documents (W9 and EFT), the Mentor will be sent a Service Agreement from UNTHSC’s Contracts Administration Office. Mentors must return the signed copy of the agreement by the assigned deadline to receive timely payment.

Taxability of Mentorship Fee:

In some states Professional Fees are taxable income, whereas in certain states, Professional Fees for certain services are tax deductible.  For questions about how this professional fee might impact your taxes, please consult with your tax professional.