2024 Child Health Mentored Research Career Development Award

Program Overview and Requirements

The Clinical and Translational Science Institute of Southeast WI (CTSI) and the Children’s Wisconsin (CW) Children’s Research Institute (CRI) invites applications for the Child Health Mentored Research Career Development Awards (KL2) to support the research efforts and career development of junior faculty dedicated to clinical and translational research towards becoming independent investigators focused on the health and well-being of children. The overall goal of the program is to provide education and training opportunities that will support individuals in disciplines and professions (e.g., medicine, dentistry, nursing, engineering, pharmacy, population sciences, public health, etc.) across the translational spectrum (T0-T4).

The program offers well-structured career development pathways that lead to the exploration of novel approaches in patient-centered diagnostic, therapeutics, epidemiological, behavioral, health services, and outcomes research. Curriculum design for each scholar is a joint undertaking involving the scholar, mentors, and the Program Director, and is based on an assessment of the unique needs and articulated learning goals and objectives of the scholar, and a performance and evaluation plan.

Scholars will be expected to focus on their own mentored research project and the development of a major grant proposal. Awardees will have opportunities to attend national meetings that can enhance their career and provide networking opportunities, and to participate on institutional research-related committees, such as IRBs or other scientific review committees.

In addition, scholars will be provided 75% protected time (*see page 3). The department chair must agree and provide a statement in the application documenting that this time will be protected for research and training for a period of two years. This award supports up to $175,000 (direct costs) annually, to cover:
Salary support (limited to $120,000 – NIH salary cap, not including fringe benefits; cost-share is required if 75%* FTE exceeds this amount)
Research-related costs (e.g., tuition and fees related to research development; supplies, equipment and technical personnel; statistical services; fringe benefits)
Travel funds of up to $2,500 per scholar per year (e.g., scientific meetings, training workshops)

The candidate must name a primary sponsor/mentor, who, together with the applicant is responsible for the overall career development and research plan, direction, and execution. The mentor should be recognized as an accomplished investigator in the proposed research area and have a track record of success in training independent investigators in clinical and translational research. The mentor should have sufficient independent research support to cover the costs of the proposed research project in excess of the allowable costs of this award. Candidates may also nominate co-mentors, as appropriate to the goals of the program. The candidate and mentor must describe a career development program with an emphasis on pediatric clinical and translational research that maximizes the use of relevant research, educational resources, and qualified faculty as mentors in clinical and translational research.

The candidate’s research program should be aligned with the mission of Children’s Wisconsin Research Institute. This includes improving the way we prevent, diagnose or treat childhood diseases, or enhancing childhood health and well-being, including management strategies for living with chronic disease.

Scholars Program Goals

The objective of the Child Health Mentored Research Career Development Award is to accelerate career progression of scientists dedicated to clinical and translational research (C&TR). As such, scholars are allowed requisite time to work with experienced mentors in their areas of interest who will provide appropriate guidance in developing individualized curricula and career plans to progress towards leaders in interdisciplinary C&TR.

CTSI is committed to increasing the participation of individuals currently underrepresented in clinical and translational sciences/research. This includes underrepresented racial/ethnic, social, cultural, economic, or educational backgrounds that may have inhibited their ability to pursue careers in C&TR. Ideal candidates may have completed a significant amount of formal research training and require protected time to develop a C&TR project that will lead to an external grant proposal by the end of the first year.

Awarded KL2 scholars are expected to be engaged in the following activities during and after the 2-year award period:

During –

• Completion of pre-program assessment survey
• Quarterly check-ins with Program Director
• Submission of semiannual reports and final reports
• Development and semiannual review of an individualized Career Development Plan
• Participation in the CTSI Clinical Research Scholars program
• Participation in Children’s Specialty Practice Unit (SPU) as defined by the SPU leader
• Participation in a Team Science course during award period

During/After –

• Preparation and submission of manuscripts and grant proposals
• Engagement in multidisciplinary team-based research as appropriate

After –

• Completion of post-program assessment survey
• Response to post-award tracking survey up to 15 years after program completion

Key Dates

• Application Release Date: June 5, 2024
• Letter of Intent Due: June 24, 2024
• Application Submission Deadline: August 1, 2024
• Recommended IRB Submission Deadline: September 25, 2024
  • It is recommended that all applicants submit to the IRB by this date, as (if funded) you cannot begin human subjects research until you have IRB approval, which must be acquired no later than 90 days following the award start date.
• Review of Applications: October 1-16, 2024
• Awardee Approved by CRI Operations Committee: December 3, 2024
• Notification of Application Status: December 15, 2024
• IRB Approval Deadline: December 31, 2024
• Anticipated Start Date: January 1, 2025