Clinical Research Scholars Program

The goal of the program is to enable each Clinical Research Scholar to successfully compete for clinical research funding. The specific objectives for the program are to:

• Provide Scholars with an enriched academic environment that will enhance the development of their clinical research.
• Provide instruction in practical research skills to Clinical Research Scholars.
• Assist Scholars in identifying and accessing research-related resources.
• Support the development of a research proposal which is submitted to an appropriate funding agency.

Scholars are expected to participate fully in the program by attending program sessions, contributing to discussions, and completing assignments. Scholars will be asked to give presentations and regular updates on their research projects. They will also be asked to provide appropriate suggestions, constructive criticism, and feedback to fellow Scholars.

Scholars will be asked to meet regularly with their research mentors or advisors.

All junior faculty who are interested in a clinical/translational research career are encouraged to apply. If you are a PhD candidate in a clinical field or non-junior faculty, you still may be eligible. Please reach out to us directly if this is the case. Selection of a Clinical Research Scholar is based on the Selection Committee’s review of the candidate’s materials. They may also elect to interview the candidate.Required Materials

• A letter of nomination from the departmental chair. This letter must also provide assurances that the candidate will have a minimum of 20% protected time for clinical research activities, although 40% protected time is recommended.
• A letter of support from a mentor or a senior colleague who agrees to provide guidance on the candidate’s research project.
• A current curriculum vitae in the MCW format or equivalent format.
• A completed Clinical Research Scholars Application which includes a brief (1-2 page) description of the clinical research project that the candidate will develop and conduct.

When selected for the program Clinical Research Scholars are required to:

• Attend twice monthly training seminars (September – June, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 8-10 am).
• Demonstrate research-related core competencies in research methods.
• Complete the MCW Human Research Protection Certification Program (CITI or equivalent) if not already completed.
• Complete additional individualized curriculum components.
• Meet regularly with a program advisor and with research mentors.
• Develop a clinical research proposal and submit the proposal to an external funding agency by the end of the 2-year curriculum.
• Participate/present at the CTSI’s Translational Research seminars.

In addition, Scholars are encouraged to:

• Submit a protocol to the appropriate CTSI Translational Research Unit (TRU).
• Attend research related conferences or training courses.
• Present work-in-progress in an established research forum or seminar series.
• Develop basic research skills by taking appropriate academic course work through the MCW Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
• Take advantage of CTSI resources.

Junior faculty, who are committed to academic careers and to clinical research, are encouraged to apply. If you are a PhD candidate in a clinical field or non-junior faculty, you still may be eligible. Please reach out to us directly if this is the case. Decisions to accept candidates are made on the basis of the candidate’s interest in clinical research, the candidate’s statement of commitment to participating in the program, and assurances that the candidate will have protected time to engage in research.

Advisory and Selection Committee

The role of the Advisory and Selection Committee of the Clinical Research Scholars Program is to provide 1) oversight of the program and curriculum 2) advice on the selection of scholars, and 3) regular evaluations of the program with guidance on the integration of the Program with other CTSI resources.

The Clinical Research Scholars Program is a didactic program of the theory and methods of clinical research integrated with instruction in practical research skills. At each CRSP bimonthly meeting one hour will be devoted to the didactic curriculum. At the culmination of the program, scholars will have a wide range of theoretical, methodological, and practical experiences in the conduct of clinical research.

The Clinical Research Scholars Program uses a guided apprenticeship model to help Clinical Research Scholars develop research skills. Twice monthly seminars held over a two-year period allow the Scholars to use their own research projects, and those of the other Scholars, as vehicles for learning. Experienced clinical investigators serve as facilitators for the seminars. Meeting together in small groups to discuss these research projects allows the Scholars to serve as colleagues and advisors for one another. Outside of seminars, each Scholar works closely with an experienced mentor who provides individualized, project specific guidance. The progress of each Scholar is carefully monitored, and the program is continuously evaluated by each scholar. 

The program faculty is dedicated to ensuring the success of its Clinical Research Scholars by providing protected research time, a supportive research environment, research-related resources, individual mentoring and skills in clinical research methodology.

Allison Hyngstrom, PT, PhD
Program Director
Professor and Chair
Department of Physical Therapy

Jacquelyn Kulinski, MD
Program Co-Director
Associate Professor
Medicine / Cardiology

CTSI Announces the 2025 RFA for the Clinical Research Scholars Program for junior faculty committed to pursuing careers in academic medicine as independently funded, clinical and translational investigators.

• Application Opens: November 1, 2024
• Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
• Program Start Date: September 9, 2025

Application Instructions

Background

The Clinical Research Scholars Program is a major initiative in the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) to assist junior faculty in developing their research careers. With over twenty years of experience in training junior faculty in critical competencies for successful research careers, the Clinical Research Scholars Program has been successful in helping our graduates achieve external funding, establish strong publication records and receive national recognition. Our program emphasizes the following skills: grantsmanship, ethical conduct in research, research study design, grant management, research career development, and effective scientific communication via abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations.

Program Requirements

Clinical Research Scholars are required to:

• Attend seminars twice monthly on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 8-10 am Central Time. Attendance is required.
• Demonstrate research-related core competencies in research methods
• Complete the MCW Human Research Protection Certification Program (CITI or equivalent), if not already completed
• Submit manuscripts for publication
• Complete additional individualized curriculum components
• Meet regularly with program advisors and research mentors
• Develop a clinical research proposal and submit the proposal to a funding agency by the end of the 2-year curriculum
• Participate/present at the CTSI’s Translational Research Seminars

Application Process

All junior faculty at CTSI partnering institutions, who are seeking to pursue careers in clinical/translational research, are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have a letter of support from their departmental chair guaranteeing a minimum of 20% (40% is recommended) protected time for research activities. Each candidate must have a research mentor and a clinical/translational research project to be developed into a grant proposal during the program. After receipt of all of the application materials, the CRSP Selection Committee will review the candidate’s material. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.  Acceptance into the program is made on a competitive basis. Decisions to accept candidates are made on the basis of the 1) candidate’s interest and commitment to a research career, 2) assurances that the candidate will have sufficient protected time to engage in research-related activities, and 3) quality and feasibility of the proposed clinical project. 

Please complete the entire application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

• Part I – Applicant Information (Fillable form fields)
  Please complete all of the items listed. Be sure to list all of the individuals who will be writing a letter of support, including your department chair and primary mentor.
• Department Chair’s Letter of Support & Nomination (File upload)
  Note that the letter of support from your department chair must explicitly state that you will have at least 20% protected time (stronger applications state 40%) for research activities.
• Part II A-B – Personal Statement and Commitment Plan (File upload; 2 pages maximum)
  Please limit your personal statement and commitment plan to a maximum of two pages. Be sure to include your background in clinical/ translational research (education, previous roles in grants, etc.) and what impact this has had on your career. Also, please describe your future career goals and how your participation in the CRSP will help you accomplish those goals.
• Part III – Research Proposal (Fillable form fields)
  Please provide a brief narrative of your intended research focus for the 2-year Clinical Research Scholars Program with the headings below: (Each section should be one paragraph)
  • Statement of the problem (include importance to field)
  • Specific research question
  • Proposed methods (e.g., who, what, how)
  • Preliminary results (if available)
  • Anticipated conclusions and how these might relate to future research directions
• Part IV – Advisors and Resources (Fillable form fields)
  List all additional advisors / mentors who will not be submitting a letter of support but will have a significant role in guiding your research project and career. List any additional resources that you have or need, but are not listed.
• Additional Files (File uploads)
  • Applicant’s updated Curriculum Vitae
  • Copy of Applicant’s Publications (up to three in a single document) – Candidate’s previous work related to the research project or a key article in the field.
• Mentor Plan: This form should be filled out by your primary mentor. (Separate form; all fillable fields) A unique URL will be sent to the mentor once the mentor’s information has been added in the application. This is the same mentor that is providing the letter of support in Part I of this application. Your mentor also needs to provide a current NIH-style biosketch.

Application Deadline
Applications are due by April 30, 2025. Program begins September 9, 2025.