Mentored Translational Research Scholars Program Award(K12)

Miami CTSI- Mentored Translational Research

Scholars Program Award (K12)–FY15

Mentored Translational Research Scholars Program Award(K12)

Call for Applications

Miami Clinical Translational Science Institute

The MiamiClinical Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is sponsoring two Mentored Translational Research ScholarsProgram Awards (K12) for the fiscal year FY15. This program will support the research career development of two young investigatorsby providing up to threeyears of renewable annual support which includes:

75% salary supportup to the NIH Salary Cap
$2,500 for travel and training related activities and
$30,000 for research expenses

The objective of the K12 program is to develop independent researchers by providing a structured research training program under the guidance of individualized mentorship. Awardees will be required to devote 75% time to research. For an award beginning June 1, 2014, a Letter of Intent must be received by November15, 2013, and a Full Application must be received by December 20, 2013.

This mentored research program provides a structure that includes: 1) an individualized research and career development plan 2) educational programs suited to the mentee, including enrollment in and completion of an advanced degree in clinical research, should it be needed; 3) experiential training with established faculty researchers as mentors; 4) supportive resources that include access to CTSI experts in epidemiology, research design, regulatory support, and biostatistics; and 5) modest funds to cover research costs and/or expenses associated with tuition, training opportunities, and travel support for preceptorship in expert labs or to attend relevantscientific meetings. The program will provide mentorship and support to promote research and the advancement of K12 recipients throughout the University. Mentoring is a required component of the program and will include the applicant’s scientific mentor(s) and for the K12 awardees, a mentor assigned by the CTSI to ensure oversight and efficient progress through the training program.

Candidate Eligibility

This K12 award will provide support for qualified junior faculty in relevant disciplines, including, but not limited to medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, nursing, dentistry, epidemiology, behavioral sciences, psychology, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. Candidates must have a doctoral degree[1]and must be eligible for faculty status. Criteria for eligibility follow published NIH guidelines. Candidates must demonstrate exceptional promise for future independence as scientists. Women and/or minority junior faculty are particularly encouraged to apply.

To be eligible, the candidate must:

Be a junior faculty (full-time Assistant Professor, tenure or non-tenure-track at the start of the award period).
Commit a minimum of 75% time to research training and research over the award period. The remainder of time may be spent in clinical or teaching pursuits and/or research-related activities consistent with the objectives of the award.
Demonstrate a commitment to a career in clinical and/or translational research.
Agree to participate in one of UM’s formal clinical research training programs, such as the master’s program in clinical research (Note: requests for tuition waiver for the master’s program will be reviewed on an individual basis).
Identify a faculty mentor who is an experienced investigator, with ongoing peer-reviewed, extramural research support.
Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or legal permanent resident of the U.S.

Not eligible for this award are:

Individuals on temporary or student visas.
Individuals who have already been funded as a principal investigator on a NIH individual-mentored career development award (K01, K08, K22, K23), research projects (R01), First Award (R29), sub-projects of a program project (P01), or center grants (P50).
Individuals who have a current application to any of the awards listed above.

Please note: NIH guidelines (RFA-RM-10-001) for this award mechanism indicates “The sponsoring institution may supplement the NIH salary contribution up to a level that is consistent with the institution’s salary scale; however, supplementation may not be from other Federal funds unless specifically authorized by the Federal program from which such funds are derived.In no case may PHS* funds be used for salary supplementation. Institutional supplementation must not require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the purpose of the K12.”

Application Requirements:

(1)Interested eligible candidates must first submit a Letter of Intent by Friday, November 15,2013-midnight.

The one-pageLOIwill include the name, title, rank and departmentof the candidate and his/her mentor(s), the title of the project, a concise description of the project (no more than 300 words), and the name and department of the individuals who may collaborate with the applicant on this project.

(2)The Full Applicationmust be submitted byFriday, December 20, 2013–5p.m..

The full application will include the following:

A completed contact information form (template provided).
A short abstract of the proposal (500 words or less).
An introductory cover letter including the specific areas of health research interest, and statements on (1) the candidate’s career trajectory, (2) howthe K12 award will enhance the research career, and (3) on how the proposal addresses culturalized health sciences (health disparities) and/or is transformative to the Institution, as these constitute the mission of Miami CTSI.
A research proposal (up to six pages), including evidence of preliminary work completed toward this project or accomplishments relevant to this project. The candidates are strongly encouraged to prepare this section with the help of their mentor(s), and consult with the Biostatistics Collaboration and ConsultingCore[2] prior to the application submission.
If applicable to your research project, include information about human subjects (PHS 398 form“Planned Enrollment Table –for due dates on or after September 25, 2013“, to be downloaded from information is not included in the research proposal page limits.
A personal statement including current and long term research goals and a plan with a proposed timeline to research independence (up to five pages). This should include a description of all planned activities including didactic courses that will be incorporated into the career development and mentored research experience. In addition, the statement is required toaddress plans for instruction in the responsible conduct of research.The training plan should include details of the training to be accomplished during the three years of the K12 award. This training plan might include special training in research techniques, courses which will enhance research capabilities, such as biostatistics or epidemiology,attendance at specific conferences, enrollment in a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. program, etc.
A personal statement indicating how the proposal addresses culturalized health sciences (health disparities) and/or is transformative to the Institution, as these constitute the mission of Miami CTSI.
Budget and budget justification for $30,000 for research costs. Thismay include supplies for the conduct of the research project, clinical training and education, travel to expert labs or scientific meetings.
CV and biosketch in NIH format.
Letter of support and commitment from the scientific mentor.
Letter of support and commitment from candidate’s chairperson, including agreement to assure that the candidate will have 75% protected research time for research and to hire the individual into their department for the duration of the award.
One additional letter of recommendation.
Regulatory approval (signed acknowledgment by applicant is required).

Selection Criteria and Notification

Upon review, awardees will be selected for the program based on the following criteria:

Acommitment to and potential for a career in clinical and/or translational research
Compliance with all eligibility requirements
Scholarship, as assessed frombiosketch, letters of reference, and past academic performance
Evaluation of the proposed research (scientific merit, appropriateness of mentor, scholar’s ability to execute the research plan, available resources, likeliness of successful completion).
The impact of the research on improving the health of minority and underserved population and/or how it is transformative to the Institution.
Upon acceptance, scholars will be notified of appointment by Thursday, May 15, 2014.
All K12 scholars will be appointed for up to three years, renewable annually based on review of productivity and performance.

An orientation meeting for applicants will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 from 12 to 1 p.m., at the CTSI Research Commons, Room 705. Dr.Gwendolyn Scott, Director of the K12 Program, will provide an introduction to the K12 Award and answer any questions you may have.

Questions regarding this application should be directed to Gwendolyn B. Scott, M.D., Director, Miami CTSI K12 Program, or byphone at 305-243-6522.

The K12 Letter of Intent and Application Formshould be electronically submitted to Dr. Gwen Scott at with a copy to Patricia Avissar, Miami CTSI Research Navigator, at .

The LOI template and the Application Form can be downloaded fromthe Miami CTSI website:

[1] Doctoral degree:a Ph.D., M.D., or comparable doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution. For a complete list, please refer to

[2]Biostatistics Collaboration and Consulting Core (BCCC): contact information and request form available at

Requests for initial consultations must be placed before Tuesday,November 5, 2013.