Eligiblity & Application

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STARS T32 TRAINING PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION

The STARS T32 Training Program welcomes applications for predoctoral and postdoctoral training programs with anticipated start date of July 1st, 2026 (Contingent upon receipt of the NIH funding). Please see specific information for each funding opportunity below. 

Predoctoral: The program is open to graduate students pursuing a PhD degree who have completed their required core didactics and have also been approved for the research-phase of their PhD (often referred to as passing the qualifying exam) The exam name and the year of eligibility may vary by graduate program. Medical students may apply following completion of their second year of medical school. 

Postdoctoral: The program is open to Postdoctoral trainees within 5 years of their doctoral degree. Clinical postdoctoral trainees are eligible following year 1 of their fellowship. An applicant must have a conferred terminal degree or equivalent before an anticipated start date of their appointment as identified in the announcement.  

Requirements for STARS Training Pre and Postdoctoral fellowships include the following:  

  • Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to pursuing a research career in translational research.
  • Candidates must be US citizens, non-citizen nationals, or be able to provide legal proof of lawful admission for permanent residence. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
  • Candidates must not have had prior Kirschstein-NRSA postdoctoral support.
  • Candidates must not have been Principal Investigator or equivalent on an NIH research project grant (R01, R03, R21, U01, U10), a subproject of a program grant (P01), a center grant (P50, U54) or equivalent PHS research grant awards.
  • Candidates cannot be concurrently funded by two T programs. 

APPLICATION DUE DATES FOR EACH TRAINING PROGRAM

Predoctoral STARS T32 FOA Important Dates:

  • Application and all required documents are due February 23rd, 2026 by 11:59 pm MST
  • Mentors not on the T32 approved list must submit request documents to Lyalya Sultanova, Lyalya.sultanova@hsc.utah.edu, 3 business days prior to February 23rd, 2026. Late requests will result in administrative withdrawal of the trainee's application.
  • Top predoctoral candidates will be interviewed on March 17th between 9:00-11:00 am MST

****Please note our deadlines are not aligned with the University of Utah Admissions office and you will be responsible for any late fees.

Postdoctoral STARS T32 FOA Important Dates:

  • Application and all required documents are due February 9th, 2026 by 11:59 pm MST
  • Mentors not on the T32 approved list must submit request documents to Lyalya Sultanova, Lyalya.sultanova@hsc.utah.edu, 3 business days prior to February 9th, 2026. Late requests will result in administrative withdrawal of the trainee's application.
  • Top postdoctoral candidates will be interviewed on March 16th between 9:00-11:00 am MST 

****Please note our deadlines are not aligned with the University of Utah Admissions office and you will be responsible for any late fees.

APPLICATION AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS DUE BY THE PROGRAM SPECIFIC DUE DATES BELOW:

  1. Application must be submitted through REDCap no later than program specific due dates
    1. Postdoctoral training program application due by February 9th, 2026 by 11:59 pm MST
    2. Predoctoral training program application due by due February 23rd, 2026 by 11:59 pm MST 

  2. Curriculum vitae. (Biosketches NOT accepted) including the following: a) Degree(s) earned, include month/year earned; b) Research Experience and other Positions, include month/year of start/end dates; c) Identify any prior NRSA or other grant support; d) presentations; e) publications; f) awards/honors received. 

  3. Project Abstract.  A lay-science summary of the intended project, including title and scientific aims. Font must be 11 pt Arial with at least .5 inch margins. Max 1 page (including Figures/Tables), excluding references. 

  4. Letter of Interest (3 pages max).  Should include: description of prior research and experience; how the project (Project Abstract) fits in the translational spectrum; career goals; rationale for interest in the STARS T32 Program (i.e., Why are you interested in STARS and how do you see your research and your professional growth fit into the STARS mission), and description of how STARS participation would facilitate achievement of your professional goals.

  5. 1-2 letter/s of recommendation  from previous training supervisors. Letters should be sent directly to  lyalya.sultanova@hsc.utah.edu. 

  6. One letter of support from a T32 mentor  Letter should: (1) describe the mentor's commitment to mentoring you and how the proposed research project fits their research program; (2) state their commitment to supporting your full participation in the program, to multidisciplinary science, and to working within a framework of multiple types of mentors; and (3) explain why the STARS program specifically is suitable to advance your research and professional goals.  Letter should be sent directly to lyalya.sultanova@hsc.utah.edu. 

    Note: If your primary mentor is not an already approved T32 mentor, please have your mentor contact Lyalya Sultanova to request approval no later than 3 business days prior to the application due date in respect of training program’s timeline (see above). Late requests will result in the administrative withdrawal of a graduate student's or postdoctoral fellow's application.

  7. Trainees must have training interests in clinical or translational science in  one of the three spheres.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING GRANT POLICIES AND PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS THAT YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF:

  1. The primary criteria for selection will be a) scientific excellence; b) relevance of the proposed research to clinical and/or translational science and its impact on future career; c) good alignment with a primary mentor; and d) potential for future success (publications, grants, etc). 

  2. Successful predoctoral candidates must have passed their qualifying exam before July 1, 2026.
  3. Successful postdoctoral candidates must have a conferred degree before July 1st, 2026.

  4. Trainees receive stipend and training support during their appointment under Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Stipends, Tuition/Fees and Other Budgetary Levels. Support for a second-year appointment is not guaranteed and a subject to evaluation of a trainee’s program progress (program requirements, presentations, being a good citizen, training project progress, and/or other STARS program specific participation). 

    **Please note: If Year 2 appointment is granted, trainees are expected to demonstrate an additional requirement, such as publication(s), i.e. manuscripts in preparation before the end of the Year 2 appointment.

  5. NIH requires that trainees be US citizens, US noncitizen national or permanent residents of the US. Trainees cannot have previously received an NSRA grant. 

For additional information, please contact LYALYA SULTANOVA at  lyalya.sultanova@hsc.utah.edu 

Tuition

Tuition Rates 

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Non-resident 

Financial Aid 

Financial aid in the form of loans may be available depending on need and availability of funds. For more information, please contact the University of Utah Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at 801-581-6211. The Division of Public Health does not offer financial aid students. Obtaining financial aid is the responsibility of the student. 

Contact Us

Primary Contact:

Lyalya Sultanova
T32 Program Specialist 
Email: lyalya.sultanova@hsc.utah.edu

Supervisor:

Jennifer Zitterkoph
Associate Director, Grants & Contracts
Phone: 801-213-1504
Email: jennifer.zitterkoph@hsc.utah.edu