The AAMC August 3 submitted comments to the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) in response to a Request for Information on how to catalyze the modernization of biomedical graduate education to “ensure that trainees gain the skills, abilities, and knowledge required to be successful in the biomedical research workforce.”
In its letter, the AAMC recognizes the value biomedical education has to society through the development of researchers and the training of scientists who apply their skills to a number of different jobs and sectors in the research enterprise. The association also presents a number of recommendations to NIGMS, including:
- Emphasize professional development, wellness, mentor engagement, and individualized training programs;
- Ensure that graduate students are trained in skills such as communication, teaching, management, and teamwork;
- Quantitative and data analysis skills are essential components of graduate training; and
- Allow flexibility in the use of training grant funds and educate reviewers to more holistically evaluate applications.