AIM-AHEAD CLINAQ Cohort 2 Homepage
AIM-AHEAD CLINAQ Cohort 2 Discussion Group
The AIM-AHEAD CLINAQ Fellowship seeks experienced mentors to guide clinician researchers applying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to clinical problems. Mentors provide technical and clinical mentorship, practical guidance on study design and regulatory readiness, and support fellows in translating research into measurable clinical impact. Learn more about the AIM-AHEAD CLINAQ Fellowship Program here: https://www.aim-ahead.net/call-for-proposals-year-3/aim-ahead-clinicians-leading-ingenuity-in-al-quality-clinaq-fellowship-program/#AwardeeResources/
CLINAQ Fellows will have the opportunity to select a mentor from the AIM-AHEAD Consortium to provide support and guidance throughout the 12-month program. The mentor should be an active investigator in the proposed research area and be committed both to the career development of the fellow and to the direct supervision of the fellow’s research. They must document the availability of sufficient research support and facilities for high-quality research and should have a successful track record of mentoring individuals at the fellow’s career stage.
Mentors will be compensated $10,000 for their time dedicated to mentorship. Payment will be made in two equal installments of $5,000 each. The first installment of this professional fee will be paid mid-point of the program and the second at the end of the program.
Mentors will be chosen from a pool of AIM-AHEAD CLINAQ Mentor applicants. The AIM-AHEAD CLINAQ Mentor Application will be open from October 31 - November 17, 2025. Once Mentors are selected, they will receive an official email notification from UNTHSC’s AIM-AHEAD office. The notification will specify next steps. All selected Mentors will be notified by December 15, 2025.
Application Timeline
• Mentor Application Opens: October 31, 2025
• Mentor Application Deadline: Monday, November 17, 2025 — 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET)
• Selection & Matching: December 1, 2025
• Notification of Award: December 15, 2025
• Fellowship Term: December 1, 2025 – October 1, 2026
Mentorship Timeline & Commitments
• 10-month structured mentorship engagement aligned to the fellowship calendar.
• Formal matching via AIM-AHEAD Connect.
• Quarterly checkpoints plus ad-hoc technical consultations.
• Required participation in core program events, including the CBSD workshop (Feb 2026).
• Optional mentor peer circles and cross-cohort activities.
Mentor Stipend
• $10,000 honorarium for completion of the mentorship term.
• Payment contingent on completion of mentor reporting and confirmation of mentoring activities.
Mentor Expectations
Mentors will:
• Provide domain and methodological oversight (AI/ML methods, model validation, clinical integration).
• Advise on study feasibility, regulatory compliance, data governance, and ethical implementation.
• Meet regularly with fellows (recommended bi-monthly working sessions).
• Review key deliverables (project milestones, abstracts, posters, manuscripts).
• Participate in mentor orientation and end-of-year reflection/reporting.
Eligibility & Terms
Ideal mentors include established clinicians, researchers, informaticians, data scientists,
or implementation leads with relevant experience. Specific expectations:
• Demonstrated track record in clinical research, AI/ML methods, or translational implementation.
• Ability to commit to the 10-month mentoring timeline.
• Institutional approvals as required for payment method or participation.
Mentor Matching & Survey
All mentors must complete the AIM-AHEAD mentor matching survey in AIM-AHEAD Connect. The survey captures: expertise, availability, institutional affiliation, mentoring style, and priorities to ensure optimal pairings.
(You must first create a new account as a “Mentor” if you do not have an account on AIM-AHEAD Connect, or update your role to "Mentor" under Settings > My Profile > Primary Role)
1. Go to AIM-AHEAD Connect and log in to your existing account or click "Register" if you do not already have an AIM-AHEAD Connect account.
2. Go to https://connect.aim-ahead.net/program/p/fc6beEb2F0 (this page)
3. Now, you have landed in the AIM-AHEAD CLINAQ Fellowship Program Tracker. Click the “Apply to become an AIM-AHEAD CLINAQ Fellowship Mentor” button in the top right corner of this page to apply.
4. Complete the “Mentor Expertise Self Assessment” and click “Submit”.
5. Review the Terms & Conditions and click “Agree & Confirm”.
6. You have now completed your application to be a mentor for an AIM-AHEAD CLINAQ Fellow. If you are selected, you will receive an email from AIM-AHEAD Connect indicating that a fellow has requested mentorship from you. All selected mentors should be notified by December 15, 2025. Please make sure to check your Junk/Spam folder during this time.
Questions / Point of Contact
• For program or mentor-related questions: Contact the CLINAQ Fellowship Helpdesk, or reach out to Wendi Wright — Project Director, CLINAQ Fellowship Program. Email: clinaq1@msm.edu.
• For platform assistance: Contact the AIM-AHEAD Connect Support & Feedback Helpdesk.