Introduction
A KL2 Mentored Clinical Research Scholar Program has been established within the Tufts CTSI to develop the research skills of physicians so that they may become independent clinical investigators. According to the National Center for Research Resources, this mentored career development program is expected to "train the next generation of clinician-scientists and transform the discipline of clinical and translational research across the country."
The Tufts CTSI KL2 Scholars Program provides rigorous didactic training, mentoring and support to highly-qualified junior faculty to conduct multidisciplinary clinical/patient-oriented research for a period of two years. This program is specifically designed to further the goals of the Tufts CTSI, linking across Tufts-affiliated hospitals/campuses and across disciplines.
Objectives
The Tufts CTSI KL2 Scholars Program aims to:
- Enhance the links between the Tufts-affiliated hospitals and the Tufts-Sackler Program in Clinical Research.
- Prepare junior faculty to compete for external funding in the form of a K-series Award.
- Encourage multidisciplinary research and bridge the translational gaps.
Who Should Apply
The Tufts CTSI KL2 Scholars Program seeks junior faculty members early in their career who have demonstrated the aptitude and commitment to undertake multidisciplinary clinical and translational research, and have a high probability of obtaining extramural funding after the training program. Applicants must have an appointment at the time of the award at a Tufts University affiliated hospital and must be able to devote 75% professional effort to the program for two years.
Financial Support
The program will provide scholars with 75% support for a salary up $125,000 (i.e. $93,750 salary plus 19% fringe), plus $25,000 for tuition, travel and supplies. Additional salary support beyond $125,000 can be provided by the home institution, although the candidate must commit a minimum of 75% of his/her time to research and education activity.
Applicant Requirements
Clinical Research Scholars must:
- Possess a doctoral-level clinical degree.
- Have a faculty appointment at the Instructor or Assistant Professor level at one of the participating Tufts-affiliated hospitals. Current fellows with commitments of faculty positions at the Instructor or Assistant Professor level starting in July 2009 are eligible to apply. KL2 funds cannot be used during fellowship training.
- Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or permanent resident.
- Be able to devote 75% professional effort to the program for a minimum of two years (surgeons may request a lower level of effort, but not less than 50%).
- Have the support of two mentors approved by the program, based in two different Tufts-affiliated institutions.
- Not have served as Principal Investigator on an NIH R01, K series, or sub-project of a P or M series grant or other equivalent research grant prior to candidacy.
While a track record of academic productivity is viewed favorably, individuals who already have formal research training and who have several first-author publications related to their main research interest are encouraged to apply directly to the NIH for K-series or R-series awards and are encouraged to access the Tufts CTSI Portal embedded link for support of grant preparation.
Application Process
Two awards will be granted between 2009-2013. Affiliated hospitals will nominate one applicant for each round. The Scientific Advisory Committee of the Tufts CTSI will choose from among the candidates based on the following criteria: 1) Quality of the candidate; 2) Quality of the Research Plan; 3) Quality of the Career Development and Mentorship Plan; 4) Plan for Research Funding; and 5) Consistency of Research with the Goals and Objectives of the Tufts CTSI.
Future Submissions
The deadline for the first round of applications was February 13, 2009. The next application round is expected to be during late fall of 2009.
Application Components
Along with the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae, three letters of reference, including one from the applicant’s department chair, and letters of support from the mentors, the application should include the following elements:
1. Research Plan (three pages): The KL2 Committee strongly encourages multidisciplinary research consistent with the articulated goals of the NIH roadmap, CTSA and the Tufts CTSI. Research plans that best leverage the resources and unique strengths of the Tufts CTSI will be favorably considered. While the feasibility of research will be considered, it is expected that the research plan may not be fully specified, since full specification of the research plan is expected to occur during the two-year program.
2. Description of Candidate’s Career Goals, Research Interest, and Plans
3. Career Development Plan: To gain the knowledge and skills necessary to function effectively on interdisciplinary research teams, Tufts CTSI Scholars will complete a rigorous training program that ensures exposure to a wide range of clinical and translational research methods. All candidates who enter the program without a research Master's degree are required to complete the Sackler MS in Clinical Research. Candidates who enter the program having already completed a research Master's degree (e.g., a Master's degree in clinical research or equivalent) will specify selected coursework to enhance their research and career development needs. Faculty no longer requiring formal career development/research training are not appropriate applicants for this award.
4. Mentorship Plan: The mentorship team should include faculty members at more than one Tufts site. Typically, this will involve mentors at the applicant’s home hospital and at Tufts-Sackler Clinical Research Program. If the applicant is from a Tufts Medical Center mentorship/collaborative, links with at least one of the other affiliated hospitals are strongly encouraged.
5. Plan for future funding: Because the two-year award is insufficient time to complete major research projects leading to independence, the applicant should provide a plan for independence at the end of the two years. Thus, it is expected that the two-year period culminates in both completed research leading to a publishable manuscript (which will serve as the candidate’s thesis for those in the MS program), and an application for a K-series or R-series award suitable for submission shortly after completion of the program. All applications should include a specific plan for future funding.
These five sections should not exceed five pages in total (1 inch margins, 12 pt font, single spaced), exclusive of bibliography and references, three pages of which should be devoted to the Research Plan.
6. Application forms: There are two application forms that should be completed and included in the package: the Budget and Informational Form.
For more information about the Tufts CTSI KL2 Scholar Program please contact crgraduateprograms@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
