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UIC
Center for Clinical and Translational Science Scholars Program
APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 30, 2008
All applicants should refer to the MS
in Clinical and Translational Science curriculum for examples
of didactic coursework that may be included in the "Nature
of Training Program" section of the application.
For questions regarding the program, please contact Jack Zwanziger
at 312/996-1062
or jzwanzig@uic.edu or Phillip
Marucha at 312/413-1160 or marucha@uic.edu.
For questions regarding the application process,
please contact Susan Lynch at 312/413-5429 or slynch2@uic.edu.
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT-CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) invites applications
for the 2008 Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS)
Scholars Awards to support the research efforts and career development
of scientists dedicated to patient oriented research. Grants will
support clinical research training and career development for individuals
in clinical disciplines and professions, including medicine, dentistry,
nursing, psychology, pharmacy, and physical and occupational therapy.
The grant program seeks to develop well-structured and well-recognized
career development pathways that lead to the exploration of new
approaches in patient-oriented, epidemiological, behavioral, health
services, and outcomes research. As a CCTS Scholar, individuals
will be provided 75 percent release time (50 percent for surgical
specialties) to take relevant courses and conduct research under
the CCTS Scholars Program for a period of 2-5 years. In addition,
they will receive $50,000 in total ($25,000/year in each of the
first two years of their appointment) to support their scholarly
activities. We intend to select up to two scholars in this round.
Goals of the Scholars Program
The CCTS Scholars Program is intended to accelerate career progression
in clinical and translational research of clinicians who have demonstrated
a commitment to research. The CCTS Scholars Program will pair scholars
with mentors who will provide appropriate guidance in developing
individualized curricula and career plans to help them become national
leaders in interdisciplinary clinical and translational research.
Guidance will be provided in all aspects of clinical and translational
research including developing a research project, competitively
garnering external support, developing and managing a research team,
and integrating within interdisciplinary teams/centers.
UIC is dedicated to increasing the participation of individuals
currently underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral,
and social sciences. This includes underrepresented racial, ethnic,
social, cultural, economic, or educational backgrounds that may
have inhibited an individual's ability to pursue a career in health-related
research up to this point. UIC acknowledges that diversifying the
student and faculty bodies improves the quality of the training
and educational environment.
Curriculum Overview
A Mentoring Committee will be developed from an interdisciplinary
assemblage of UIC faculty with a demonstrated commitment to mentoring.
These mentors will provide curricular, methodological, scientific,
and career guidance for the scholar, enhancing interdisciplinary
support. Scholars will meet with their mentoring team to review
the scholars experience and interests to develop a detailed individualized
research career development plan. Once finalized, the plan will
serve as a guide through the CCTS Scholars Program experience. One
element of this individualized plan is to ensure that the scholar
will have the skills and knowledge required to succeed in a career
in clinical and translational research (as defined by the MS in
Clinical Translational Science) that recognizes their existing knowledge,
skill level, and research interests.
The second component of the CCTS Scholars Program Plan is mentored
research. Research experiences may be gained in a range of settings,
depending on whether the research is basic, clinical, or community-based.
The program plan will specify the research questions, study approach,
the expected outcome of the research (e.g., publications, preliminary
data, etc.), and timeline.
The third component of the Scholars Program Plan is to develop a
thorough understanding of the detailed approach required to secure
external funding. For the internally funded K12, that could include
an application for a K award, (e.g., K08 or K23), R03, R21, R01,
or participation on a Center or Program Project grant. By the end
of the first two years, scholars will generate and submit a research
proposal for a training grant or peer reviewed small-grant funding.
Scholars with more formal research training would submit an application
to NIH or other peer-reviewed funding source.
The final component of the Scholars Program Plan should be a career
plan that would address promotion and tenure issues including time
commitments, teaching, and clinical service.
The Scholar would be encouraged to meet with members of the mentoring
committee regularly, on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. This environment
will provide the scholar with continuing access to mentors in order
to assure the needed career guidance. Achievements and awards, e.g.,
publications and grants, will be recorded in the scholar's Career
Portfolio, which is developed as the scholar progresses through
the program. The Career Portfolio will also include clinical or
teaching activities, teaching evaluations, and any other notable
achievements. These portfolios are designed to assist scholars as
they advance their careers and compete for tenured positions at
UIC or elsewhere.
Qualifications for Selection
The primary qualifications for this program include a commitment
to a clinical/translational research career, previous academic achievement,
research potential, and the availability of appropriate time to
devote to the program. Applicants must also have a research and/or
health-professional doctoral degree or its equivalent.
To be eligible for the CCTS Scholars Program, applicants must be
United States citizens, non-citizen nationals, or individuals lawfully
admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration
Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551, or some other verification of legal
admission as a permanent resident). Individuals on temporary or
student visas are not eligible for admission. Former or current
principal investigators on any NIH research project grant (this
does not include NIH Small Grants (R03) or Exploratory/ Developmental
(R21) grants or their equivalents) or equivalent non-PHS peer reviewed
research grants that are over $100,000 direct costs per year, or
project leaders on sub-projects of program project (P01) or center
grants (P50) are NOT eligible to participate as K12 scholars.
Application Requirements and Instructions
- Nomination Letters Written
by the Applicant's Department Chair and Dean:
Letters endorsing the applicant's admission to the CCTS
Scholars Program. The letters should provide a) explicit
release time commitments for the applicant (i.e., 75% (50%
for applicants in surgical specialties)) and the duration
of the commitment; b) how the applicant's training fits
into the mission of the department; c) the commitment to
the applicant's career development after the completion
of the program; d) the applicant's potential for a successful
academic career in clinical/translational research; e) the
commitment and/or plans for the applicant should the applicant
not be accepted to the CCTS Scholars Program; f) efforts,
if any, that have been made for faculty appointment, mentoring,
space, and other support.
- Personal Statement: A statement detailing applicant's accomplishments to date, career goals and plans. Specifically, applicants should address background information relevant to their interest in clinical research, and how additional training through the CCTS Scholars Program would help achieve these goals. The applicant should provide any prior or ongoing research experience and explain how this might interface with the training program. This statement should be no longer than two pages, single-spaced.
- Nature of Training Program: A description of the applicant's needs for advanced training. Prior completion or recent acceptance into an advanced didactic training program in clinical research or equivalent training (e.g., current degree candidates at a UIC health sciences program).
- Curriculum vitae: Current curriculum vitae, including any publications.
- Potential Mentor(s) if known: Provide a list of potential mentors and how they may enhance the applicant's training program.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from faculty or past clinical/research mentors or advisors who can attest to the applicant's ability as a clinical/translational research professional. The letter should address a) the applicant's previous achievements in research, clinical care, and/or academics; b) the applicant's potential for a successful academic career in clinical/translational research; c) analysis of the applicant's career development plans, commitment to research, and how the award would advance these plans. These letters should be placed in sealed envelopes addressed to the CCTS Scholars Program with a handwritten signature of the recommender over the seal.
- Copies of Transcripts from all Academic Training: Official undergraduate and any graduate transcripts are required.
- UIC Center for Clinical Translational Science Scholars Program Application Form.
(Right click to save Application
Form to your computer)
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Contact Information For questions regarding the CCTS Scholars Program, please contact one of the following:
For questions regarding the application process, please contact:
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