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Reminder: Tomorrow –
Grants Administration Learning Community Open Mic – Thursday, March 26th, 3pm-4pm ET
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Dear HRA Members,The next Grants Administration Learning Community Open Mic will be Thursday, March 26th, 3pm-4pm ET.
Topic: Building and Sustaining an Impactful Scientific Advisory Board
Join us in this session as we dive into the mechanics of establishing a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and their vital role in helping organizational success in accelerating research progress. We will explore the “how-to’s” of vetting and oversight, compare the unique responsibilities of an SAB versus a review committee, and share best practices for member compensation and term rotations.
Click here to register on Zoom.
To see upcoming open mics, click here for the 2026 Grants Administration Learning Community Events Schedule.
Thank you,
MelissaMelissa Lena | Operations ManagerHealth Research Allianceshe/her/hers
HRA Peer Circles Program – signup deadline tomorrow – Wednesday, March 25th
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Dear HRA members,We would like to extend the opportunity to the HRA community to sign up for the next cycle of the HRA Peer Circles Program. Please see below for more information.
What are Peer Circles?
As part of the Health Research Alliance’s Professional Development Program, Peer Circles provide an opportunity to enhance your professional capacity and network. Peer Circles meet regularly to discuss various topics related to navigating the professional world and achieving career goals. These meetings aim to build community among individuals at similar career stages and allow group members to learn from each other and build their network. Peer Circles also provide a forum to support others in finding solutions to challenges faced in the workplace. Members can help their peers reflect on the issues at hand with new perspectives, allowing them each to develop a path forward.
Who are the members of a Peer Circle?
Peer Circles will be made up of groups of ~4-7 individuals from different Health Research Alliance (HRA) member organizations with similar career roles.
How often should Peer Circles meet?
Once circles are formed, circles should schedule virtual meetings approximately monthly. Each group will be responsible for scheduling their own meetings. Participants must do their best to attend all meetings of the circle, with the understanding that personal and professional emergencies may arise.
What is the duration of the program?
Individuals are expected to participate in the program for a duration of 6 months (April-September)
Are there any other expectations I should keep in mind?
- All discussions within Peer Circles should remain respectful and confidential.
- Participants will be asked to respond to a brief final evaluation survey at the end of the program.
How do I sign up to be a member of a Peer Circle?
If you are interested in joining, please submit the Spring 2026 Peer Circles Signup Form.
The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, March 25th. There is no limit to the number who can participate per each member organization.
Whom should I contact with general questions?
For questions, contact [email protected].
HRA Peer Circles Program – signup deadline extended to Wednesday, March 25th
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Dear HRA members,We would like to extend the opportunity to the HRA community to sign up for the next cycle of the HRA Peer Circles Program. Please see below for more information.
What are Peer Circles?
As part of the Health Research Alliance’s Professional Development Program, Peer Circles provide an opportunity to enhance your professional capacity and network. Peer Circles meet regularly to discuss various topics related to navigating the professional world and achieving career goals. These meetings aim to build community among individuals at similar career stages and allow group members to learn from each other and build their network. Peer Circles also provide a forum to support others in finding solutions to challenges faced in the workplace. Members can help their peers reflect on the issues at hand with new perspectives, allowing them each to develop a path forward.
Who are the members of a Peer Circle?
Peer Circles will be made up of groups of ~4-7 individuals from different Health Research Alliance (HRA) member organizations with similar career roles.
How often should Peer Circles meet?
Once circles are formed, circles should schedule virtual meetings approximately monthly. Each group will be responsible for scheduling their own meetings. Participants must do their best to attend all meetings of the circle, with the understanding that personal and professional emergencies may arise.
What is the duration of the program?
Individuals are expected to participate in the program for a duration of 6 months (April-September)
Are there any other expectations I should keep in mind?
- All discussions within Peer Circles should remain respectful and confidential.
- Participants will be asked to respond to a brief final evaluation survey at the end of the program.
How do I sign up to be a member of a Peer Circle?
If you are interested in joining, please submit the Spring 2026 Peer Circles Signup Form.
The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, March 25th. There is no limit to the number who can participate per each member organization.
Whom should I contact with general questions?
For questions, contact [email protected].
NOTICE – This webinar has been rescheduled to March 5th, 1pm-1:30pm ET
Dear HRA Members,
On Thursday, March 5th at 1pm ET, HRA will host the Getting the Most Out of Your HRA Membership webinar.
Please join Health Research Alliance (HRA) staff to learn more about activities and resources available to HRA members! These sessions are for new member organizations, new staff at existing members, or ANYONE who wants to learn about HRA’s many activities. Please register yourself or encourage your team to register to learn more about how HRA can help your organization advance your mission.
Click here for more information and a Zoom registration link.
Thank you,
MelissaMelissa Lena | Operations ManagerHealth Research Allianceshe/her/hersPlease note: DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED to January 30th
Dear HRA Members,
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has invited HRA to participate in their Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) Conference in Seattle on May 6, 2026, and I’d like to gauge your interest in presenting.
Why this matters for our community:
This conference brings together approximately 400 university development professionals, grant writers, and prospect researchers – the people who secure external funding for health research at universities worldwide. The conference is in-person only at the Hyatt Regency Seattle.
The conference begins with a three-hour “Master Class” for experienced professionals in the CFR field, which offers unique, in-depth access to funders and explores special topics. The conference planners are envisioning that the theme for this year’s Master Class will be Women’s Health Research, and discussion topics could include:
- Women’s lifecycle and reproductive transitions
- Reproductive disorders
- Social and environmental influences that disproportionately affect women
- Mother-infant health
- Women’s mental health
- Women’s health technology and innovation
Because the Master Class is a three-hour workshop, the conference committee is open to exploring other topics that would have wide appeal to a variety of institutions, in addition to women’s health research. CASE has a growing audience of CFR leaders from academic medical centers who will likely be attracted to this session.
What’s in it for you: This is a chance to showcase your organization’s work to university professionals who shape research funding priorities, build meaningful connections with the CFR community, and potentially influence how universities approach women’s health research funding.
Next steps: If you’re interested in participating or would like more details about panel opportunities, please email me directly at [email protected] by January 30th. I’ll connect you directly with the CASE conference organizers to discuss how your expertise aligns with their programming needs.
Thank you,
MelissaMelissa Lena | Operations ManagerHealth Research Allianceshe/her/hersThank you to everyone who attended our Advocacy Training webinar!
We’re grateful you could join us for this session and hope the discussion and examples were valuable as you continue your advocacy efforts on behalf of the research community.
The slides and additional materials from the webinar are now available on our Resources page: https://healthra.org/resources/advocacy-training-for-hra-members-january-22-2026/
Please feel free to explore and reach out if you have any questions or suggestions for future advocacy trainings.
Thank you,
MelissaMelissa Lena | Operations ManagerHealth Research Allianceshe/her/hersAdvocacy Training for HRA Members – Webinar
The Health Research Alliance will host Advocacy Training For HRA Members on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET, led by Research!America staff Erin Darbouze, MPH, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, and Savannah Sims, PhD, Director, Global Health R&D Advocacy. The session will cover advocacy fundamentals, communicating effectively with lawmakers, and practical ways to make an impact to help ensure medical and health research remains a national priority.
To attend, please register here on Zoom.Thank you,
MelissaMelissa Lena | Operations ManagerHealth Research Allianceshe/her/hersHRA Webinar – From DEI to Health Equity: Navigating Language, Risk, and Impact in Biomedical Research Funding
We will be hosting a DEI webinar on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 2 pm ET.
Description:
As biomedical research funders continue to advance equity in science, many are grappling with how to sustain meaningful work amid shifting legal, political, and organizational landscapes. This webinar offers a timely exploration of the evolving language and strategy—from traditional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) frameworks to a more targeted focus on Health Equity.
This session will provide both foundational grounding and practical insights. Participants will hear from peers who are actively navigating these challenges, including how they’ve adapted language, built internal buy-in, and maintained impact while addressing risk aversion and board-level concerns.
Whether your organization is just beginning to explore Health Equity or looking to refine its approach, this webinar will offer tools, examples, and space for reflection to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Define Health Equity in the context of biomedical research funding and explain how it aligns with—and differs from—traditional DEI frameworks.
- Explore real-world examples from peer organizations navigating equity work under shifting constraints, including how they’ve adapted language, built internal buy-in, and sustained impact.
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Reflect on their own organization’s capacity and readiness to engage in Health Equity work, and identify one actionable step they can take to move forward, while recognizing legal and organizational considerations (e.g., risk aversion and board-level concerns)
Speakers:Patricia Frustace, Senior Director of Career Advancement and Population Health, ASH
Valeria Polletta, Managing Director, Community and Culture Transformation, HRiA
Sheldon Watts, Senior Program Officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Webinar registration is limited to HRA Members only and will not be recorded.
To attend, please register here on Zoom.
Thank you,
MelissaMelissa Lena | Operations ManagerHealth Research Allianceshe/her/hers