This document presents a tiered framework for supporting the launch of a Department Biostatistics Core. Each level outlines anticipated capacity, growth potential, and strategic contributions based on the initial investment. Level 1 assumes minimal support (Director-only), while Levels 2–5 represent increasing institutional investment in staffing, infrastructure, and operations.

Table of Contents

Level 1 – Minimal Support (Director Only)

Description:

  • Director at 1.0 FTE (with FTE recovered through grants/project work)
  • No dedicated analyst or admin support
  • Reactive project intake; limited capacity to grow or scale

Expected Outputs:

  • 6–8 faculty supported/year
  • 3–4 grant applications/year
  • <$50K in FTE recovery
  • High risk of burnout; minimal infrastructure developed

Level 2 – Seed Support for Analyst

Description:

  • Director at 1.0 FTE
  • 0.5 FTE Biostatistician supported by institutional funds
  • Small software/training budget (~$5K)
  • No admin support

Expected Outputs:

  • 15–20 faculty supported/year
  • 6–8 grant applications/year
  • $75K–$100K in FTE recovery
  • Workshop offerings begin; early KPIs tracked

Level 3 – Full Analyst + Bridge Funding

Description:

  • Director at 1.0 FTE
  • 1.0 FTE analyst (0.5 FTE bridge funded; 0.5 recovered from grants)
  • 0.1 FTE admin support
  • Software, storage, and training budget ($10K)
  • Small discretionary bridge fund (~$30K)

Expected Outputs:

  • 25–30 faculty supported/year
  • 10–12 grant applications/year
  • $150K–$200K in FTE recovery
  • Training series + manuscript pipeline established

Level 4 – Growth and Strategic Integration

Description:

  • All of Level 3, plus:
  • Second analyst hired by mid-Year 2 (bridge funded)
  • Recharge or cost-share model development begins
  • Formal 10% Director appointment with ITHS

Expected Outputs:

  • 35–40 faculty supported/year
  • 15–18 grant applications/year
  • $250K–$300K in FTE recovery
  • Improved time-to-service and mentorship offerings

Level 5 – Institutional Strategic Core

Description:

  • Full infrastructure in place:
    • Director 1.0 FTE (protected strategic time)
    • 2.0 FTE analysts (grant and bridge funded)
    • 0.2 FTE admin + recharge/cost-share fully implemented
  • Embedded in departmental research pipeline
  • Formal collaboration with ITHS and integration into faculty development

Expected Outputs:

  • 50+ faculty supported/year
  • 20+ grant applications/year
  • $350K+ in FTE recovery
  • Fully scalable, sustainable model with departmental impact