4.1. Strengths
MRS
To our determination, no published reports presented evaluation of MRS role vis-à-vis the likelihood of submitting for and/or being awarded extramural funding while adjusting for cohort effect and sought mechanism of funding in a structured nested cluster randomization study. The objective nature of analyses’ outcomes also bestowed rigor and reproducibility of results. Finally, analysis methodologies used for evaluating associations were statistically and mathematically sound.The report presented here provides a rigorous base for theoretical propositions and practical suggestions. Conceptually, this study suggests that a mock study section is a unique strategy for academic development that mediates success in submitting a grant proposal. Future studies can explore the extent to which MRS promotes research self-efficacy, grant writer identity, and sense of belonging in the academic community. Practically, this study shows that since there is evidence of positive contribution of the MRS to the ESI career development progress, participation in MRS-like sessions needs to be included as a required component in grant writing programs. MRS enforces an earlier deadline for preparing a full proposal, which in turn increases the overall chances for funding for ESIs.