The Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Scholars Program trains junior faculty with National Institutes of Health (NIH) KL2 funding or institutional awards. We teach the skills necessary to effectively accelerate scientific discoveries that improve health, with specific coursework, research projects, and mentoring. We also prepare scholars to apply for career development awards from the NIH (K funding) or equivalent resources to support their work.

The CTSA Scholars Program provides partial salary support to trainees for two years, while they take courses in grant writing, complete Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) program certification, complete a research project, attend monthly cohort meetings, and participate in mentorship experiences.

CTSA Scholars Program Research Training

Scholars without advanced master’s-level training in research methodologies participate in the MS in Clinical Investigation with concentrations available in translational research and health innovations and therapeutics.

Those who have already completed master’s-level advanced training submit proposals for targeted training experiences designed to expand their expertise in areas specific to their research interests.

Proposals may include courses or programs offered at NYU schools and colleges or other universities, seminar programs at institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, or mini-sabbaticals at universities or foundations or within industry.

In certain cases, you may petition to participate in directed training rather than a master’s program. Your proposal must make the case that directed training is more valuable than a formal degree.

All training proposals are reviewed and approved by NYU Langone’s CTSA Scholars executive committee, which meets quarterly to discuss scholar recruitment and selection, mentorship activities, and program coordination with affiliated facilities. The committee oversees the pairing of scholars with faculty mentors, performs scholar evaluations, and monitors the progress of scholar research activities.

Other CTSA Scholars Program Training Requirements

Scholars must complete the Ethical Conduct of Research course at Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, or an equivalent course, and the Short Course in Team Science, a one-week course that explains the advantages, methodologies, and challenges of cross-disciplinary research.

You also attend Translational Research Education and Careers Grand Rounds, a monthly seminar focused on junior faculty advancement, and present your research at the Translational Research in Progress seminars.

All trainees are expected to maintain a high level of research productivity. This includes submitting abstracts and studies for publication and presentation at the annual meeting of the Association for Clinical and Translational Science and submitting grant applications to secure NIH research grants (R funding) or career development awards (K funding).

Mentoring

Scholars meet monthly as a group, along with a member of the CTSA Scholars executive committee, to receive feedback from colleagues and leadership on current research projects. These monthly meetings provide opportunities for troubleshooting problems, addressing roadblocks, securing recommendations for networking, and promoting your research.

The executive committee assigns each scholar to a secondary senior investigator, who is a member of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute faculty, based on areas of research interest and expertise. The secondary senior investigator meets with you at least twice a year and on an ad hoc basis to review your progress and provide career development assistance.

Salary Support

We provide up to two years of salary and other financial support. Based on NIH guidelines, CTSA scholars’ salary support is set at 75 percent of an applicant’s salary for his or her current academic appointment, up to maximum of $90,000 (e.g. 75% X $120,000 = $90,000).

The program provides additional funding for educational courses, research support, other training-related expenses, and travel expenses related to attending scientific meetings. Please note that scholars who succeed in obtaining other NIH funding or another equivalent grant award will be rotated off the CTSA KL2 Scholars Program.

Program Eligibility and Funding

To be eligible for the CTSA Scholars Program, you must be a late-stage postdoctoral trainee, at or below the level of assistant professor, who has not yet received R or K funding, and who participates in full-time research at NYU Langone or an NYC Health + Hospitals affiliate. Your doctorate must have a clinical focus.

Candidates demonstrate a record of success and the potential for an independent career in translational research, are well established within a research group, and have the support of a principal investigator or primary mentor.

CTSA scholars are funded in two ways—through a KL2 award, also called a Mentored Career Development Award, or an institutional award. Those with KL2 funding are supported by NIH career development awards for senior postdoctoral fellows and faculty-level researchers, whereas CTSA scholars with instructional funding receive equivalent salary and training support, but are not formally obligated to the NIH.

Leadership and Executive Committee

The CTSA Scholars Program executive committee reviews training proposals, provides feedback on manuscript and grant ideas, and offers advice on professional development and work–life balance.

Francisco X. Castellanos, MD
Director

Victoria Dickson, PhD, RN
Executive Committee Member

Michael H. Pillinger, MD
Executive Committee Member
Director, Clinical and Translational Science Institute Education and Careers Unit

How to Apply

We are now accepting applications. Applicants should complete the CTSA Scholars Program application form. The following application materials are required:

• an NIH biosketch
• the NIH biosketch of your proposed mentor
• a personal statement that describes your reasons for applying and your career plans beyond training
• a research plan
• three letters of recommendation

We encourage applications from women, people who are underrepresented in medicine, people of different physical abilities, and people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

If you have questions about the CTSA Scholars Program application process, contact program coordinator Mikhailia Boyd at mikhailia.barrington@nyulangone.org.