CCTS/PPH Sponsored KL2 Scholars – Call for Applications

Deadline - February 10, 2017

The Utah Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), in collaboration with the University of Utah Program in Personalized Health (PPH), invites all Deans, Department Chairs, and Division Chiefs to identify potential junior faculty member candidates performing clinical or translational (T1-T4) research in precision medicine to submit an application for consideration for to the CCTS KL2 Scholars Program. Early stage investigators with faculty appointments at the University of Utah, Intermountain Healthcare, Utah Department of Health, and/or Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System and who have made a commitment to focus their research endeavors in clinical or translational research in order to advance health are eligible to apply. Colleges, Schools, and Departments are encouraged to nominate their strongest candidate(s). Colleges and Schools may nominate up to 2 candidates. Departments with more than 100 faculty members may nominate up to 2 candidates. Departments with fewer than 100 faculty members may nominate 1 candidate.

The KL2 program offers 24 months (2 years) of support for mentored research and career development for junior faculty investigators engaged in clinical or translational research aimed to advance health. The program is tailored to the research and career development needs of each scholar and offers opportunities for didactic education, mentored research, interdisciplinary works-in-progress seminars, and team-building experiences.

The CCTS/PPH KL2 Scholar award is $112,500 per year, which is used to support: 1) salary and fringe benefits up to a total maximum of $97,500/year based on a full-time, 12-month faculty appointment requiring candidate to devote a minimum of 75% FTE (9 person months) (for surgeons, 50% FTE – 6 person months) at the time of the KL2 award, and 2) other research related expenses up to a total minimum of $15,000 per year. Mandatory departmental matching support is required when 75% (50% for surgeons) of actual salary base or NIH Cap and benefits is greater than the salary and benefit total requested.

Scholars will receive $1,500 in travel funding to domestic professional meeting/conference per year. In addition, the scholar’s Primary Mentor will receive 5% of his or her base salary (up to the NIH cap of $185,100) plus benefits in place at the time of the KL2 award.

Eligibility:

To ensure competitiveness, it is recommended that applicants have completed the CCTS KL2 Eligibility Determination Form prior to consideration. At the time support begins, a candidate must hold a junior faculty position (e.g., instructor or assistant professor); have a doctoral level, health science related degree; and be within 5 years of completing his or her post-doctoral or clinical training. The applicant cannot have been the Principal Investigator or equivalent on a NIH research project grant (R01, R03, R21, U01, U10), a subproject of a program project (P01) or center grant (P50, U54), or equivalent Public Health Service (PHS) research grant awards or have been the recipient of an NIH institutional K award.

Scholar Requirements:

1. Must commit to a minimum of 75% FTE (50% FTE for surgeons) for precision medicine focused research and training during the award period (03/01/17-02/28/19). The initial award is for a 1-year period. If scholar demonstrates adequate progress, CCTS will award the 2^nd
2. If research involves human subjects, human specimens, and/or human data, it is required that the Scholar have had submit their IRB application prior to the KL2 application, preferably approved. Scholars must provide either proof of IRB submission or approval within the KL2 application (see FOA).
3. Must be U.S. 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.
4. Must demonstrate a strong interest in furthering the quality and scope of clinical and translational research in precision medicine research.
5. Must demonstrate a good relationship between planned training and short- and long-term career goals.
6. Must indicate their commitment to interdisciplinary research and education.
7. Expected to seek independent grant research support during the award period.
8. Applications must include a career development plan and a research plan for a 2-year period.
9. Expected to create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) and provide annual updates.

• Regular progress and financial status reports and a final report are required.

Mentor Requirements:

1. Mentors should be established investigators and acknowledged experts in their field who are preferably supported by NIH or other competitive award grants.
2. Primary mentor is expected to assist applicant with writing and approve his/her career development plan.
3. Primary mentor is expected to write a Letter of Support indicating his/her role with the scholar during the award period.

Dean, Department Chair, and/or Division Chief Requirements:

The Dean, Department Chair, and/or Division Chief is required to submit a Letter of Support assuring the following:  1) the college/department/division will ensure that the CCTS KL2 Scholar has at least 75% FTE (50% FTE for surgeons) dedicated to research and career development during the 2-year award period and 2) the college/department/division agree to provide the required departmental matching support when the 75% FTE (50% FTE for surgeons) of actual salary base or NIH Cap and benefits is greater than the $97,500 award.

Review Criteria Summary:

1. The likelihood that the applicant will obtain independent funding.
2. The strength of the applicant’s career development and research plans. 
3. Primary mentor’s track record in supporting junior faculty members and research accomplishments.
4. Prior submission of a competitively scored—but not funded—career development award such as a K23, K08, or VA Career Development Award will be considered positively by the review committee.

The CCTS/PPH KL2 submission, review, and award notification process dates are as follows:

Key Dates
 
Application Due Date:                      February 10, 2017 (EXTENDED)
Merit Review:                                   February-March 2017 (see Part 3, Section I) (REVISED)
Award Notification:                           By or before March 24, 2017 (see Part 3, Section II) (REVISED)
Earliest Start Date:                           April 1, 2017 (REVISED)
Announcement Expiration Date:      February 10, 2017 at 5:00 pm (EXTENDED)

All applications are to be submitted via Competition Space https://utah.infoready4.com/

If you have any questions please contact Erin Wachs at erin.wachs@hsc.utah.edu or 801-213-3756.