K12 Scholar Program
The University of Chicago CTSA has funding for four CTSA K12 Scholar positions that will provide substantial salary support for faculty-level clinical and translational scientists near the beginning of their investigative careers. Appointments will run from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2011.
Research topics can relate to any aspect of clinical and/or translational research, relevant to any patient population and disease group, and employing any suitable research approach. However, potential relevance to the understanding or treatment of human disease must be demonstrated. CTSA K12 Scholars appointed on a two year basis, and are not guaranteed continued funding in subsequent years, though annual competing renewal applications for up to three years K12 funding will be entertained. No individual may receive more than three years CTSA K12 funding.
OVERVIEW OF THE CTSA K12 MECHANISM
CTSA K12 Scholars are to be relatively new investigators, at the faculty level of Assistant Professor or Instructor, who are committed to a career in clinical and/or translational research. The goal of the CTSA K12 Scholar mechanism is to produce accomplished clinical/translational researchers capable of utilizing the tools of clinical and/or basic research aimed at improving the understanding or treatment of human disease. Investigators must have a faculty-level appointment; graduate students or post-doctoral trainees are not eligible. In addition, candidates are expected to assemble a multidisciplinary mentoring committee of senior advisors/mentors. We plan to fund four awards of up to $100,568 per year to be used for the Scholar’s salary + fringe during the period 01/01/10 to 12/31/11. CTSA K12 Scholars are expected to enroll in the Masters of Science in Health Studies program offered by the Dept of Health Studies or to pursue or have already had equivalent training in clinical or translational research. Tuition for the MS degree will be waived for CTSA K12 Scholars.
CTSA K12 Scholar Application and Review
Applicants must hold full-time appointment as regular faculty or research associate faculty at the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, or Illinois Institute of Technology, at the level of Instructor or Assistant Professor. Because K12 Scholar positions will open periodically through the year, an RFA will be issued approximately 2 months before the anticipated opening of a Scholar position.
When an RFA is issued or when the above sentence indicates that a position will be coming available, please email the following to Bushra Rehman, CTSA Administrative Director:
- The candidate’s full curriculum vitae (not an NIH Biosketch)
- A research proposal including Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Preliminary Studies if any, and Research Design and Methods (limit 10 pages in all), plus Literature Cited. Information regarding Human Subjects and Vertebrate Animal involvement should also be included, as in NIH R01 applications.
- If a previous K-award application has been submitted to NIH, then please include the Summary Statement for the most recent review.
- A brief (less than 1 page) letter from the Department Chair addressing:
- The candidate’s prospects for development into an independently funded clinical/translational scientist
- The Department’s assurance that at least 75% of the candidate’s time will be protected for research career development and devoted to her/his role as a CTSA K12 Scholar
- The dollar amount requested for the candidate’s salary + fringe, not to exceed $100,568 for a one-year period, and percent effort to be devoted (must be > 75%).
- Names of the proposed mentors
- A brief letter from the mentors (less than 1 page), indicating their commitment to the candidate.
Applications should be prepared as a single PDF file with filename as CTSA-K12-PIname.pdf, please email applications to Bushra Rehman at brehman@bsd.uchicago.edu.
The academic and intellectual background, motivation, and commitment of the candidate to pursue clinical and/or translational research will be evaluated. The criteria for selecting awardees will include assessment of the candidate’s potential, the dedication to clinical and/or translational research, and the degree of support from the Department.
A crucial expectation of the awardees is that preliminary data will be developed which will serve as the basis for an NIH-level grant application in clinical and/or translational research. CTSA K12 Scholars are expected to establish a clinical/translational research program, which can be sustained beyond the period of initial support.
Application by women and minorities is encouraged.
Current and Previous CTSA K12 Scholars