2024 Mentored Career Development Awards Request for Applications

Program Overview and Requirements

The overall goal of the program is to provide education and training opportunities that will support the career development for individuals in disciplines and professions across the translational spectrum (e.g., medicine, dentistry, engineering, pharmacy, population sciences, public health, etc.).
 
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 75%* of time will be protected for research and training for a period of 2 years. This award supports up to $150,000 (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 of up to $25,000 per year (e.g., tuition and fees related to research development; supplies, equipment and technical personnel; statistical services)
Travel funds of up to $2,500 per scholar per year (e.g., scientific meetings, training workshops)
 
Once appointed, scholars must propose a budget for how funds will be utilized; the budget is approved by the CTSI Executive Committee.
 
The candidate must name a primary sponsor/mentor, who, together with the applicant is responsible for the planning, directions, and execution of the program. 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 clinical and translational research that maximizes the use of relevant research, educational resources, and qualified faculty as mentors in clinical and translational research. 

Scholars Program Goals

The objective of the CTSI Mentored Career Development Program 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 interests who will provide appropriate guidance in developing individualized curricula and career plans progress towards leaders in interdisciplinary C&TR.

CTSI is committed to increase 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 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:

• 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
• Response to post-award tracking survey up to 15 years after program completion
• Completion of pre/post program assessment survey
• Engagement in multidisciplinary team-based research
• Participation in a Team Science course during award period
• Preparation and submission of manuscripts and grant proposals

Key Dates

• Application Release Date: June 24, 2024
• Application Submission Deadline: July 22, 2024
• Strongly Recommended IRB Submission Deadline: July 31, 2024
  • It is strongly 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 and NCATS prior approval.
• Notification of application status: August 20, 2024
• IRB Approval Deadline: October 31, 2024
• NCATS Prior Approval: December 31, 2024
• Anticipated start date: January 1, 2025 (date subject to change)