Request for Applications

KL2 Career Development Program

Letter of Intent:  Saturday, April 20, 2019

Informational Meeting: Tuesday, April 23, 2018, 5-6PM

Applications due:  Tuesday, June 4, 2019

The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) at the University of Kentucky have funds available through an NIH CTSA KL2 award to support junior faculty committed to developing academic careers at the University of Kentucky focused on clinical and/or translational research.  One position will be available On July 1, 2019 (eligibility for NIH career development support is required for this position). The KL2 Career Development Program requires 75% protected time for research/career development and provides annual salary support up to a maximum of $100,000 per year plus benefits for the required effort. An additional $23,000 in funds will be provided for research personnel and supplies, travel to present at appropriate research conferences, and materials for course work as they pertain to the proposed research and career development. Support will be provided for up to 2 years, contingent upon adequate program funding and effective career development throughout the period of support.  

Eligibility:  Candidates for these positions must have a terminal professional degree, such as an MD, DMD, RN/PhD, PharmD, or PhD.  Individuals who were, or currently are the Principal Investigator (PI) on NIH R01, R29, P01, K01, K08, K22 and K23 awards (or equivalent) are not eligible.  Candidates must have a faculty appointment and commit 75% effort to research and career development(certain surgical subspecialties may require 50% effort to maintain skill levels).

To be eligible for KL2 support, candidates must meet NIH KL2 Career Development eligibility requirements (NIH Grants Policy Statement), which include being either a US citizen, non-citizen national or have permanent residency in the US (proof of residency status is required).  Individuals who have a pending PHS career development award equivalent to this application are not eligible. 

Application Process:

Complete the electronic application form.  All documents listed below must be uploaded into the application form as a single PDF file. The research, career development and mentoring plan should be completed using Arial font, size 11.  Completed applications must be submitted electronically by 8:00 AM on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.

The application ismodeled on an NIH K23 (patient oriented research: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-18-375.htmlor https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-18-374.html)  or K08 (translational research:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-18-373.htmlor https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-18-372.html) application, and should include the following sections, with associated page length restrictions:

1) Title page

2) NIH biosketch of the applicant.

3) NIH biosketches of the mentors.  

4) Candidate’s Background:  A description of the candidate’s background, including professional training and previous research training and experience.  Describe how prior training relates to the candidate’s objectives and long-term career plans.  

5) Candidates’ Career Goals and Objectives:  A clear concise description of the candidate’s short and long term career goals and objectives.  A description of how this award fits into the candidates past and future research career development.  Describe the specific areas where you need additional training to achieve these goals. Include a statement that the candidate will commit 75% effort to Career Development and Research supported by this award.

6) Career Development Plan:  The career development plan should be consistent with the candidate’s career goals and prior research experience.  A description of research skills and knowledge the candidate will acquire as a result of this award and how this training enhances the proposed research plan and candidate’s career goals.  If didactic course work and workshops are included in the career development plan, please describe them.  Applicants are encouraged to include courses in clinical and translational science offered at the University of Kentucky (see Center for Clinical and Translational Science website:  https://www.ccts.uky.edu/education-training/clinical-and-translational-science-degree-programs).  Please include a Research and Training Timeline.

NOTE:  Sections 4 – 6 should not exceed 6 pages.

7) Mentoring Plan:  No more than 6 pages should be used to describe a detailed mentoring plan including a description of how each mentor will contribute to the career development of the candidate.  The mentoring plan should also include a description of how each member of the mentoring team will monitor the progress of the candidate.  A letter of support from each member of the mentoring team committing to the career development of the candidate should be included in this section. 

8) Research Plan: No more than 7 pages should be used to describe the clinical and/or translational research project.  The project should be consistent with the applicant’s level of research development as well as the objectives of the applicant’s career development plan. The research plan should include: 

• specific aims of the research project (1 page)
• significance of the research 
• innovative aspects of the research 
• preliminary data (if any) 
• experimental approach 
• anticipated outcomes 
• possible limitations of the approach and potential alternatives if the research does not proceed according to plan
• future directions of the project 

9) Budget: A detailed budget and justification for research personnel, equipment, supplies and patient care costs needed to complete the proposed research.  The KL2 grant provides $20,000 per year for this purpose.  If costs exceed $20,000 per year, please identify an alternative source(s) of funding that will be available to support the proposed research. 

10) Letter from your Department Chair/Division Chief submitted on department letterhead with signature guaranteeing 75% protected research and career development time.  

Resubmissions:  Applicants who are re-submitting their application are permitted 1 additional page to respond to reviewers’ comments. Reviewers will be aware that your application is a resubmission.

Letter of Intent:  A non-binding letter of intent for the KL2 Career Development Program is due on Saturday, April 20, 2019 by 5 pm.  The information in the LOI allows us to plan for the review process.  The LOI should include:

• Applicant’s contact information 
• Applicant’s rank and title series
• Applicant’s department
• A brief description of the proposed research including a project title 

The LOI should be submitted to vicky.king@uky.edu

Informational Meeting:  We will have an informational meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 from 5-6 PM in the CCTS Rm C315 for those interested in applying to the career development program. We will provide information on the format of the grant application and the review process as well as address any additional questions about the program, application and review process.

Review:Applications will be reviewed by the Clinician Scientist Early Career Development Executive Committee in mid June.  Applicants with the most meritorious scores will be invited to present their application and interview with several members of the Executive Committee late June. Awardees will notified by June 30,2019.

Questionsconcerning the Career Development Program should be directed to Dr. Victoria L. King, CCTS Career Development Director, at vicky.king@uky.edu or 859-218-6167.