Pathways to Independence Additional Materials (Non-Clinical Version)

Pathways to Independence Additional materials (non-clinical version)

Candidates will already have submitted a curriculum vitae, names of references, and a brief research statement. For final assessment and processing, some additional information is needed. If the applicant has already written, submitted, or had funded a K award application, much of the information needed will be in the K award application/draft. In that case, you may provide the K application/draft and respond to many of the following questions with “See K application.”

1. By the start of the Instructor appointment, will the candidate have completed 3 years of postdoctoral training? (Yes | No)

2. If not, explain why the candidate is ready to begin an Instructor appointment (provide answer or ‘not applicable’)?

3. What is the most significant of the candidate’s first- or senior-authored works based on the applicant’s postdoctoral research that has now been accepted for publication or published?

4. The Provost is expecting that when Instructors depart this program they can take with them a research project begun during or before the program. In no more than several sentences, describe the project that the candidate may ‘own’ after completion of the Instructorship. [By the mentor’s signature below, the prospective mentor commits to this arrangement. It is understood that details may change between now and the end of the program, however.]

5. The initial appointment ordinarily is for one or two years (renewable for up to 4 years total contingent on performance).

a. What is the proposed start date?

b. What is the proposed term?

c. How will compensation and research funds be provided during the proposed term? [Cite specific grant awards and their end dates, or other budget sources. The signatures of the mentor(s) and authorized departmental signator(s) are a commitment to the provision of these funds or their equivalent.]

6. Provide a “Candidate’s Statement” describing a systematic plan that: (1) shows a logical progression from prior research and training experiences to the research and career development experiences that will occur during the Instructorship and then to independent investigator status; (2) justifies the need for further career development to become an independent investigator; and (3) utilizes the relevant research and educational resources of the institution, comprising:

(a) Background [10]

(b) Career goals and objectives [10-11]

(d) Research plan [20-24, top of 27, 28-29]

i. Statement of Hypothesis and Specific Aims

ii. Background, Significance, and Rationale

iii. Preliminary Studies and Any Results

iv. Research Design and Methods

v. Literature cited

[These are components of a normal NIH K award application, and are exemplified as part of . Numbers in brackets refer to page numbers of the sample K application referenced by this URL. A more extensive example is at If a K application is to be written during the Instructorship, it is understood that these materials may be in rudimentary or draft form].

7. Describe the career development plan for the candidate (coordinated with the candidate’s research strategy). Part of this may already have been completed in the preceding item. As part of the plan or as addenda provide:

(a) The name of a primary mentor who, together with the candidate, is responsible for the planning, directing, monitoring, and executing the program. Co-mentors may also be named as appropriate to the goals of the program.

(b) A description of the primary mentor’s stature in the proposed research area and the primary mentor’s track record of success in training and placing independent investigators. Similar information should be provided for all co-mentors named.

(d) A description of the research environment and the availability and quality of needed research facilities and research resources (e.g., equipment, laboratory space, computer time, available research support, etc.). The description should include items such as classes, seminars, and opportunities for interaction with other groups and scientists. Training in career skills, e.g. grant-writing and making effective presentations, is strongly encouraged.

(e) If any, describe all additional candidate's professional responsibilities at UChicago and elsewhere, and their relation to the career development activities. These might include teaching and administration, among others.

(f) Agreement to provide annual evaluations of the candidate’s progress

[These are components of a normal NIH K award application, and are exemplified on pages 9, 11-12, and 13-14 of the sample K application at

8. Describe the departmental commitment to the candidate's development into a productive, independent investigator and to meeting the requirements of this award. If not already done, describe (a) office and laboratory space, equipment, and other resources and facilities (including access to clinical and/or other research populations) available to the candidate to carry out the proposed research plan, and (b) time and support to be provided to the proposed mentor(s) and/or other staff consistent with the career development plan.

[These are components of a normal NIH K award application, and are exemplified on page 19 of the sample K application at .].

Proposed mentor (Name, signature, date):

For each proposed co-mentor [if any] (Name, signature, date):

Departmental chair or designated signator (Name, signature, date):

Faculty vote on appointment (# yes, # no, # abstain, # not voting, # eligible to vote, which faculty are eligible to vote) [This information may follow, but is needed before transmittal to the Provost]: