Career Career Development Development
GrantsGrantsAmerican College of Epidemiology Annual American College of Epidemiology Annual
MeetingMeetingSeptember 17, 2007September 17, 2007
Faith Davis, PhD, University of Illinois at Faith Davis, PhD, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago
Jennifer Peel, PhD, Colorado State UniversityJennifer Peel, PhD, Colorado State University
Career Development Career Development AwardsAwards
This presentation will focus on NIH This presentation will focus on NIH awardsawards
Many other organizations have Many other organizations have similar awards, e.g.,similar awards, e.g.,
American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer Society American Lung AssociationAmerican Lung Association American Heart AssociationAmerican Heart Association Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCenters for Disease Control and Prevention And likely many more…And likely many more…
2828thth Annual American College of Epidemiology Annual American College of Epidemiology Meeting Meeting
Marriott Harbor Beach ResortMarriott Harbor Beach ResortFt. Lauderdale, FL.Ft. Lauderdale, FL.September 17, 2007September 17, 2007
NIH Support For Research NIH Support For Research Training And Career Training And Career
Development in Epidemiology Development in Epidemiology
NCI Cancer Training BranchNCI Cancer Training BranchLester S. Gorelic, Ph.D.Lester S. Gorelic, Ph.D.
Program Director, Clinical/Prevention SciencesProgram Director, Clinical/Prevention [email protected]@mail.nih.gov
Interim Branch ChiefInterim Branch Chief::
J. Carl Oberholtzer J. Carl Oberholtzer [email protected]@mail.nih.gov
Program DirectorsProgram Directors::
Lester Gorelic Lester Gorelic [email protected] [email protected] Sonia JakowlewSonia Jakowlew [email protected]@mail.nih.govShannon LemrowShannon Lemrow [email protected]@mail.nih.govNancy Lohrey Nancy Lohrey [email protected]@mail.nih.govDorkina Myrick Dorkina Myrick [email protected]@mail.nih.gov
National Cancer Institute Cancer National Cancer Institute Cancer Training Branch (CTB)Training Branch (CTB)
**
*:cancer.gov/researchandfunding/training
Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives
Where to find informationWhere to find information
What is availableWhat is available
What is providedWhat is provided
How to choose the support that best How to choose the support that best
meets your needs meets your needs
Organization Of PresentationOrganization Of Presentation
OverviewOverview
Institutional programsInstitutional programs
Individual awardsIndividual awards
Administrative supplementsAdministrative supplements
Putting it all togetherPutting it all together
ConventionsConventions
NIH funding mechanisms used in place of NIH funding mechanisms used in place of program namesprogram names
BlueBlue: NCI-specific programs: NCI-specific programs RedRed:: Clinicians onlyClinicians only Caveat: Will discuss only those programs Caveat: Will discuss only those programs
that conceivably can be used for training that conceivably can be used for training and CD in epidemiology. To be sure, and CD in epidemiology. To be sure, contact the component NIH institutecontact the component NIH institute
OverviewOverview
Where To Find InformationWhere To Find Information
Office of Extramural Research: Office of Extramural Research: Funding:Funding: http://grants.nih.gov/training/index.htmhttp://grants.nih.gov/training/index.htm ExtramuralExtramural (Outside of NIH): (Outside of NIH):
Ruth L. Kirchstein National Research Ruth L. Kirchstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA)Service Awards (NRSA)
Career Development (K) AwardsCareer Development (K) Awards Relevant linksRelevant links
hhttp://grants.nih.gov/training/extramural.htm ttp://grants.nih.gov/training/extramural.htm http://grants.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htm http://grants.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htm http://grants.nih.gov/training/careerdevelopmentahttp://grants.nih.gov/training/careerdevelopmentawards.htmwards.htm
Where To Find Information, cont’dWhere To Find Information, cont’d
Office of Extramural Research: Office of Extramural Research: Funding:Funding: ExtramuralExtramural, cont’d:, cont’d:
Selected programs for special Selected programs for special populations: Research supplements to populations: Research supplements to promote diversity in health-related promote diversity in health-related research: research: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-015.htmlfiles/PA-05-015.html
IntramuralIntramural (within NIH) (within NIH) http://www.training.nih.gov/http://www.training.nih.gov/
Individual NIH institute websitesIndividual NIH institute websites
Where To Find Information, cont’dWhere To Find Information, cont’d
NIH Wide Initiatives: NIH Wide Initiatives: Roadmap for Roadmap for Biomedical ResearchBiomedical Research Provides a framework of the priorities the NIH Provides a framework of the priorities the NIH
must address in order to optimize its entire must address in order to optimize its entire research portfolioresearch portfolio
Focus:Focus: New pathways to discoveryNew pathways to discovery Research teams of the futureResearch teams of the future Re-engineering the clinical research enterpriseRe-engineering the clinical research enterprise
Relevant link: Relevant link: http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/
Where To Find Information, Where To Find Information, cont’dcont’d
NIH Wide Initiatives: NIH Wide Initiatives: Roadmap for Roadmap for Biomedical Research, cont’dBiomedical Research, cont’d Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Multidisciplinary Clinical Research
Career Development programsCareer Development programs Training an Interdisciplinary WorkforceTraining an Interdisciplinary Workforce Relevant links Relevant links
http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/ http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/ http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/clinicalresearch/clinicaltraininhttp://nihroadmap.nih.gov/clinicalresearch/clinicaltraining/futureleaders.aspg/futureleaders.asp http://grants.nih.gov/training/T_Table.htmhttp://grants.nih.gov/training/T_Table.htm
Institutional ProgramsInstitutional Programs
Institutional ProgramsInstitutional Programs
GenerallyGenerally for individuals with a limited number for individuals with a limited number of publications (if consistent with program of publications (if consistent with program selection criteria) or unable to obtain a strong selection criteria) or unable to obtain a strong institutional commitment to career development institutional commitment to career development (pre, postdoc)(pre, postdoc)
Individuals apply to an ongoing program for a Individuals apply to an ongoing program for a “slot”“slot”
Prepares an individual to apply for an individual Prepares an individual to apply for an individual research career (K) award; if appointed as a research career (K) award; if appointed as a predoc, a postdoc fellowship (F32); or an R-grantpredoc, a postdoc fellowship (F32); or an R-grant
Provides a training experience in biomedical Provides a training experience in biomedical research research
Institutional Programs, cont’dInstitutional Programs, cont’d
NRSANRSA T32 & T90 T32 & T90 Training experience in biomedical research Training experience in biomedical research
(T32) or interdisciplinary research (T90)(T32) or interdisciplinary research (T90) NCI supports ca. 170 T32 programs, 11 focus NCI supports ca. 170 T32 programs, 11 focus
specifically on epidemiologyspecifically on epidemiology K12K12 programs programs
““Physician scientist” career development Physician scientist” career development programsprograms
Roadmap initiativeRoadmap initiative NCINCI R25TR25T programs programs
NCI supports 40 R25T programsNCI supports 40 R25T programs 4 of the R25T’s specifically focus on 4 of the R25T’s specifically focus on
epidemiologyepidemiology
Institutional ProgramsInstitutional Programs
Basic provisions & requirementsBasic provisions & requirements
T32 & T90 ProgramsT32 & T90 Programs
PI is an established investigatorPI is an established investigator
Trainees (predoc, postdoc) must be US Trainees (predoc, postdoc) must be US citizens or permanent residents (not for citizens or permanent residents (not for an NIH T90)an NIH T90)
Requires full-time (40 hr/week) Requires full-time (40 hr/week) commitmentcommitment
T32 & T90 Programs, T32 & T90 Programs, cont’dcont’d
Up to 5 years of predoc, 3 years Up to 5 years of predoc, 3 years postdoc support is possiblepostdoc support is possible
Legislated stipend levelsLegislated stipend levels
No support for researchNo support for research
Institutional allowance for training Institutional allowance for training expenses expenses
Two types: Clinicians only. Clinicians & Two types: Clinicians only. Clinicians &
postdoctoral Ph.D.’spostdoctoral Ph.D.’s Provides salary and research supportProvides salary and research support Requires ≥ 75% effort commitmentRequires ≥ 75% effort commitment May have core didactic requirementsMay have core didactic requirements May require multiple mentorsMay require multiple mentors May have a specific research focus May have a specific research focus §§ Must contact sponsoring NIH institute for Must contact sponsoring NIH institute for
specificsspecifics
K12K12 ProgramsPrograms
The The NCI R25TNCI R25T ProgramProgram
Curriculum-based predoc/postdoc/Jr. faculty Curriculum-based predoc/postdoc/Jr. faculty program with required didactic and program with required didactic and “laboratory” requirements“laboratory” requirements
Requires multiple mentors for each Requires multiple mentors for each appointeeappointee
Does not require 75% percent or full-time Does not require 75% percent or full-time effort commitmenteffort commitment
Support for curriculum development, Support for curriculum development, implementation, evaluation, PI salaryimplementation, evaluation, PI salary
Salary and research support for appointeesSalary and research support for appointees
Individual AwardsIndividual Awards
Individual AwardsIndividual Awards
Fellowships (F’s) and Career Awards (K’s)Fellowships (F’s) and Career Awards (K’s) Mentored ((K01, Mentored ((K01, K08)K08), , K07K07,, K23 K23, F31, F32), F31, F32) ““Transitioning” or “Cross” (K99/R00, K22’s) Transitioning” or “Cross” (K99/R00, K22’s)
awardaward Unmentored K’s (New (K22’s) & Established)Unmentored K’s (New (K22’s) & Established)
Individual (K&F) AwardsIndividual (K&F) Awards
Not R grantsNot R grants K & F’ s are for individuals who can demonstrate K & F’ s are for individuals who can demonstrate
the need for additional training/career the need for additional training/career development before they are fully independentdevelopment before they are fully independent
R grants are for independent investigators R grants are for independent investigators K & F’s focus on training or career K & F’s focus on training or career
development development R-grant focus is on researchR-grant focus is on research
Individual (K&F) AwardsIndividual (K&F) Awards
Not R grants, cont’dNot R grants, cont’d Multiple interconnected elementsMultiple interconnected elements
PI, sponsor (mentor), mentor’s statement PI, sponsor (mentor), mentor’s statement §§, , training/career development plan (K’s), research training/career development plan (K’s), research plan, institutional commitment, environmentplan, institutional commitment, environment
R grants:R grants: PI, research, environment PI, research, environment K’s generally reviewed at the institute level K’s generally reviewed at the institute level
(not F’s) (not F’s) Unsolicited R-grants (and F’s) Unsolicited R-grants (and F’s) are reviewed at CSR are reviewed at CSR
§§
Individual AwardsIndividual Awards
Support a research career Support a research career development experience (K’s) or development experience (K’s) or research training experience (F’s)research training experience (F’s)
Prepare an F32 awardee to apply for Prepare an F32 awardee to apply for a K-award/R-grant or a K-awardee to a K-award/R-grant or a K-awardee to apply for an R-grantapply for an R-grant
FellowshipsFellowships
F’s can be used to support up to 3 years F’s can be used to support up to 3 years of mentored postdoc (F32) or up to 5 of mentored postdoc (F32) or up to 5 years (F31) of mentored predoc years (F31) of mentored predoc research trainingresearch training
Generally applicable to any area of Generally applicable to any area of biomedical researchbiomedical research
Purpose of the F-program could be to Purpose of the F-program could be to increase the diversity of the biomedical increase the diversity of the biomedical research work force (NCI F31)research work force (NCI F31)
K-AwardsK-Awards
Can be used to support up to 5 years of Can be used to support up to 5 years of mentored research career development mentored research career development leading to independent investigator status leading to independent investigator status (K01, NCI (K01, NCI K07K07; ; K08, K23K08, K23) )
Can be used to provide protected Can be used to provide protected (unmentored) time to “new” investigators (unmentored) time to “new” investigators to initiate their first independent research to initiate their first independent research program (program (K22K22))
K-Awards, cont’dK-Awards, cont’d
Can be used to support a mentored Can be used to support a mentored research experience followed by a research experience followed by a transition to and support during an transition to and support during an independent position (K99/R00, K22)independent position (K99/R00, K22)
Individual K’s generally applicable to a Individual K’s generally applicable to a specific aspect of biomedical research specific aspect of biomedical research (viz., basic science, patient-oriented (viz., basic science, patient-oriented research) and research career stageresearch) and research career stage
Individual AwardsIndividual Awards
BasicBasic Provisions & RequirementsProvisions & Requirements
Mentored Individual AwardsMentored Individual Awards
FellowshipsFellowships: F31,F32: F31,F32 Need a sponsor Need a sponsor Need publications (not an F31)Need publications (not an F31) Do not need institutional commitmentDo not need institutional commitment
K-AwardsK-Awards:: K01,K01,K07K07, , K08, K23K08, K23 Postdoctoral (fellows) to junior facultyPostdoctoral (fellows) to junior faculty Need a mentorNeed a mentor Need publications Need publications Need strong institutional commitmentNeed strong institutional commitment
Mentored Individual Awards, Mentored Individual Awards, General ProvisionsGeneral Provisions
Three (F32) to five year (F31, K’s) non-Three (F32) to five year (F31, K’s) non-renewablerenewable
US Citizen or permanent residentUS Citizen or permanent resident Require full-time (F31, F32) or at least 75% Require full-time (F31, F32) or at least 75%
effort commitments (K’s)effort commitments (K’s) MentorsMentors Provide stipends (F31, F32) or salaries (K’s)Provide stipends (F31, F32) or salaries (K’s) Provide research support (K’s)Provide research support (K’s)
““Cross” Or Cross” Or “Transitioning”Awards“Transitioning”Awards
K22’sK22’s Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)*Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)*
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/http://grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/pathway_independence.htm;pathway_independence.htm;http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-297.htmlhttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-297.html Facilitate a “seamless” transition of Facilitate a “seamless” transition of
individuals from postdoc to independent individuals from postdoc to independent investigatorinvestigator
Supports up to 1-2 years of mentored Supports up to 1-2 years of mentored postdoctoral training (K99) postdoctoral training (K99) followed byfollowed by
Support of up to 3 years for protected time as Support of up to 3 years for protected time as an independent investigator to initiate first an independent investigator to initiate first independent research program (R00)independent research program (R00)
*NCI limits use to basic science *NCI limits use to basic science research in human cancerresearch in human cancer
Individual Awards: IndependentIndividual Awards: Independent
NCI Transition Career Development Awards (NCI Transition Career Development Awards (K22K22)) Provides protected time (up to 3 years) to newly Provides protected time (up to 3 years) to newly
independent* investigators to initiate their first independent* investigators to initiate their first independent research programindependent research program
NCI limits award to POR, CPCBPS;and basic NCI limits award to POR, CPCBPS;and basic science PhD’s (working in human cancer systems) science PhD’s (working in human cancer systems) in Federal intramural settingsin Federal intramural settings
Do not need a sponsoring institution at the time Do not need a sponsoring institution at the time of applicationof application
*: Moving from a postdoc position including a mentored K-grant to a first independent research position or
≤ 2 yrs in 1st independent position
Administrative Supplements To Administrative Supplements To Enhance Diversity In Biomedical Enhance Diversity In Biomedical
ResearchResearch NIH:NIH:
Supplements to research project grants (RPG’s)Supplements to research project grants (RPG’s) All stages in career developmentAll stages in career development
Supplements to T32 grantsSupplements to T32 grants NCI: CURE programNCI: CURE program
NCI:NCI: Supplements to R25T programs (CURE program)Supplements to R25T programs (CURE program)
Candidates contact the grant/program PICandidates contact the grant/program PI
Putting it all togetherPutting it all together
Continuum Of Opportunities Continuum Of Opportunities
PredoPredocc Post/Fellow Jr.Faculty Post/Fellow Jr.Faculty
Newly Newly IndependentIndependentMentoredMentored
T32T90/R00
R25T
F31
T32T90/R00
R25TK12
F32K07
R25TK12
K01K07
K08 K23
K22
Continuum Of Opportunities Continuum Of Opportunities
PredoPredocc Post/Fellow Jr.Faculty Post/Fellow Jr.Faculty
Newly Newly IndependentIndependentMentoredMentored
T32T90/R00
R25T
F31
T32T90/R00
R25TK12
F32K07
R25TK12
K01K07
K08 K23
K22 K22
K22
Continuum Of Opportunities Continuum Of Opportunities
PredoPredocc Post/Fellow Jr.Faculty Post/Fellow Jr.Faculty
Newly Newly IndependentIndependentMentoredMentored
T32T90/R00
R25T
F31
T32T90/R00
K22K99 R00
Resources For Success RatesResources For Success Rates
T32’s : 1996-2006:T32’s : 1996-2006: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/award/training/http://grants.nih.gov/grants/award/training/train9606.htmtrain9606.htm
K-awards: up to 2005:K-awards: up to 2005:
http://grant.nih.gov/training/data/rcpsucc.xlshttp://grant.nih.gov/training/data/rcpsucc.xls
2828thth Annual American College of Epidemiology Annual American College of Epidemiology Meeting Meeting
Marriott Harbor Beach ResortMarriott Harbor Beach ResortFt. Lauderdale, FL.Ft. Lauderdale, FL.September 17, 2007September 17, 2007
NIH Support For Research NIH Support For Research Training And Career Training And Career
Development in Epidemiology Development in Epidemiology
NCI Cancer Training BranchNCI Cancer Training BranchLester S. Gorelic, Ph.D.Lester S. Gorelic, Ph.D.
Program Director, Clinical/Prevention SciencesProgram Director, Clinical/Prevention [email protected]@mail.nih.gov
Training and Career Training and Career Development Awards for Development Awards for Pre-Docs, Post-Docs and Pre-Docs, Post-Docs and
Junior FacultyJunior FacultyLynda LisabethLynda Lisabeth
University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganDepartments of Epidemiology and Departments of Epidemiology and
NeurologyNeurology
BackgroundBackground
PhD in Epidemiology (2003)PhD in Epidemiology (2003) Joined neurology faculty in 2003 Joined neurology faculty in 2003 K23K23
National Institute for Neurologic National Institute for Neurologic Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
September 2005 – May 2010September 2005 – May 2010 Stroke populationStroke population
In-person interviewsIn-person interviews Blood drawsBlood draws
Feedback from ReviewersFeedback from Reviewers
Piggy backed on R01Piggy backed on R01 Mechanisms in placeMechanisms in place
Clear mentoring plan (frequency of Clear mentoring plan (frequency of meetings, information on past trainees, meetings, information on past trainees, etc.)etc.) Multiple mentorsMultiple mentors
Commitment to other projectsCommitment to other projects ≥≥75% effort75% effort
Overlap with ongoing studies – uniquenessOverlap with ongoing studies – uniqueness
Feedback from ReviewersFeedback from Reviewers
Travel – on-site research, scientific Travel – on-site research, scientific meetingsmeetings
Career development plan – mix Career development plan – mix theoretical, hands on experience and theoretical, hands on experience and coursework coursework
Support from Department ChairSupport from Department Chair Research space, start-up fundsResearch space, start-up funds
Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
High scientific interest, unique study High scientific interest, unique study population, need for well trained population, need for well trained researchersresearchers
Contact Project OfficerContact Project Officer Prior to submitting grantPrior to submitting grant Copy grant to PO at time of submission Copy grant to PO at time of submission
Review successful K grant applicationsReview successful K grant applications Preliminary dataPreliminary data
Feasibility of proposed researchFeasibility of proposed research
Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
Detailed career development planDetailed career development plan Discuss Reviewer comments with PO Discuss Reviewer comments with PO
(conference call), include mentor on (conference call), include mentor on callcall
Publication track recordPublication track record Number of publicationsNumber of publications Topic of K awardTopic of K award
Training and Training and Career Development Awards Career Development Awards
for Pre-Docs, Post-Docs for Pre-Docs, Post-Docs and Junior Facultyand Junior Faculty
Charlotte JoslinCharlotte JoslinUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
Department Ophthalmology and Visual ScienceDepartment Ophthalmology and Visual ScienceDivision of Epidemiology, School of Public HealthDivision of Epidemiology, School of Public Health
BackgroundBackground
K23 Award, National Eye Institute (NEI)K23 Award, National Eye Institute (NEI)– September 2004 – August 2009September 2004 – August 2009
Clinical research backgroundClinical research background– Mostly a clinician (70% time in clinic)Mostly a clinician (70% time in clinic)– NEI-sponsored prospective cohort study: institution Co-NEI-sponsored prospective cohort study: institution Co-
InvestigatorInvestigator– FDA clinical trials: institution PI and Co-InvestigatorFDA clinical trials: institution PI and Co-Investigator– Industry sponsored researchIndustry sponsored research
K23 AwardK23 Award– PhD in epidemiologyPhD in epidemiology– Determining corneal and intraocular lens power in post-LASIK Determining corneal and intraocular lens power in post-LASIK
eyes needing cataract surgery and intraocular lens implanteyes needing cataract surgery and intraocular lens implant
Feedback from ReviewersFeedback from Reviewers
1.1. Candidate and Career Development PlanCandidate and Career Development Plan– Demonstrate productivity and research Demonstrate productivity and research
potential: papers, collaborations, recent potential: papers, collaborations, recent activityactivity
– Career goals – Career goals – bebe specificspecific!!– Demonstrate aptitude and interest in goalsDemonstrate aptitude and interest in goals– Provide Provide specificspecific details about plans: details about plans:
coursework, seminars, meetings, travel, etc.coursework, seminars, meetings, travel, etc.
Feedback from ReviewersFeedback from Reviewers
2.2. Mentors and Institutional CommitmentMentors and Institutional Commitment– Highly qualified mentors with federal fundingHighly qualified mentors with federal funding– Diverse mentor expertiseDiverse mentor expertise– Meet training and research goals of projectMeet training and research goals of project– Institutional commitment releasing time for researchInstitutional commitment releasing time for research
3.3. Research PlanResearch Plan– ““Appropriate to primary goal . . . Appropriate to primary goal . . . a mentored a mentored
research experience which she can accomplish research experience which she can accomplish within the proposed time period and that builds on within the proposed time period and that builds on her current expertise while allowing her to expand her current expertise while allowing her to expand her skills in new areasher skills in new areas.”.”
Feedback from ReviewersFeedback from Reviewers
3.3. Research Plan (continued)Research Plan (continued)Well conceivedWell conceived
Important clinical problemImportant clinical problem
Include preliminary resultsInclude preliminary results
Be aware that it may be reviewed as R01!!Be aware that it may be reviewed as R01!!
Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
Career development proposal should build on Career development proposal should build on current expertise and develop skills in new areascurrent expertise and develop skills in new areas– Use caution too avoid research projects too similar to Use caution too avoid research projects too similar to
mentor’s existing research and interests mentor’s existing research and interests – Demonstrate independence in proposalDemonstrate independence in proposal
Mentor selection criticalMentor selection critical– Establish relationshipsEstablish relationships– Mentors selected are usually local; however, Mentors selected are usually local; however,
commuting relationships allowedcommuting relationships allowed
Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
Review successful career development proposalsReview successful career development proposals
Know and communicate with your project officer!!Know and communicate with your project officer!!
Training and Career Development Training and Career Development Awards for Pre-Docs, Post-Docs, Awards for Pre-Docs, Post-Docs,
and Junior Facultyand Junior Faculty
Lisa Metsch, Ph.D.Lisa Metsch, Ph.D.University of Miami Miller University of Miami Miller
School of MedicineSchool of MedicineDepartment of Epidemiology Department of Epidemiology
and Public Healthand Public Health
Funding BackgroundFunding Background
HIV/AIDS Epidemiologic and Behavioral Research HIV/AIDS Epidemiologic and Behavioral Research – Focus on HIV prevention and access to care – Focus on HIV prevention and access to care issuesissues
Received K01 award, National Institute on Drug Received K01 award, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1997 – 2004Abuse, 1997 – 2004
Received grant from Robert Wood Johnson Received grant from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 1998 - 2002Foundation, 1998 - 2002
Received Large CDC awards, 1999 - 2004Received Large CDC awards, 1999 - 2004Received Two R01 awards (NIDCR and NIDA), Received Two R01 awards (NIDCR and NIDA),
2004 – 2009, 2005 – 20102004 – 2009, 2005 – 2010Served on NIH CSR HIV/AIDS IRG, 1999 – presentServed on NIH CSR HIV/AIDS IRG, 1999 – present
Reviewed K-awardsReviewed K-awards
Top 10 ListTop 10 List
from a perspective of a reviewerfrom a perspective of a reviewer#10:#10: Sell yourself, but do not oversell -- Sell yourself, but do not oversell --
Make reviewers think that this is the Make reviewers think that this is the perfect time for you to have a K-awardperfect time for you to have a K-award
#9#9 Mentor Dilemma – Pick the right Mentor Dilemma – Pick the right mentor and show that they will have time mentor and show that they will have time for you and they have been successful for you and they have been successful with mentoring otherswith mentoring others
#8#8 Having more than one mentor should be Having more than one mentor should be consideredconsidered
Top 10 ListTop 10 List
#7#7 Career Plan should address skills that Career Plan should address skills that you are lacking, should be complete you are lacking, should be complete and should make senseand should make sense
#6#6 Career Plan should include evaluation Career Plan should include evaluation plan on how you will evaluate whether plan on how you will evaluate whether your careers goals have been met your careers goals have been met
#5#5 Letters from Mentors and Letters from Mentors and Department Chair/DeanDepartment Chair/Dean are critical are critical
Top 10 ListTop 10 List
#4#4 Research Project should be significant Research Project should be significant but feasible – sometimes “the more but feasible – sometimes “the more simple, the better.”simple, the better.”
#3#3 Background and significance should be Background and significance should be comprehensive, tell a compelling story and comprehensive, tell a compelling story and close to perfectclose to perfect
#2#2 Methods should be well-justified and Methods should be well-justified and rationale for all decisions should be rationale for all decisions should be providedprovided
Top 10 ListTop 10 List
#1#1 Ideally, career plan and Ideally, career plan and research project should research project should provide foundation for you to provide foundation for you to be competitive to obtain R01 be competitive to obtain R01 level fundinglevel funding
In Conclusion…In Conclusion…
This top 10 list represents the views of This top 10 list represents the views of one reviewerone reviewer
Study sections will vary in how they Study sections will vary in how they evaluate K-awardsevaluate K-awards
Review other successful K-awards Review other successful K-awards Give time to have your K-award Give time to have your K-award
reviewed by senior investigators reviewed by senior investigators before submissionbefore submission
Best of Luck!Best of Luck!
Take Home MessageTake Home Message Read the Institute websitesRead the Institute websites Call the targeted institute contactCall the targeted institute contact Explore private organization alternativesExplore private organization alternatives Develop niche training/research planDevelop niche training/research plan Find appropriate mentorsFind appropriate mentors Draft great lettersDraft great letters Get approval for any exceptions/changesGet approval for any exceptions/changes Document all changes for audit purposesDocument all changes for audit purposes
Top Related