HIGHLIGHTS

• $50,000 research funds 

• Applicants must have a minimum of 50% time protected from other expectations (clinical/education/service) and devoted to research for the entire period of the award. 

• Two-year mentored career development

• Underrepresented in Medicine & Science only (health sciences research) Assistant Professor with salaried faculty appointment (in rank ≤ 4 years)

• Mentorship team including:  primary mentor, career development mentor, and a data scientist (methodologist or biostatistician)

• Weekly (Wednesdays, 1:15pm) K Scholar Multidisciplinary Seminar Series  (75% attendance required

• Monthly KAP check-in meeting

• Individualized educational and training plan

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF THIS RFA

The K Accelerator Program is designed to provide mentorship, oversight, and pilot funds tounderrepresented in medicine research-oriented, early-stage faculty engaged in health sciences translational research.  In addition, it is an opportunity to take courses relevant to an individual’s career development needs.  For those without the relevant formal coursework, the newly created Certificate in Clinical Research equivalent or coursework in the MS in Clinical Research will be required.  Funds for these courses will be provided by CTSI-Ed in addition to the $50,000 award.  This two-year program aims to place junior investigators on the path to be competitive for NIH K awards.  This RFA will be issued every year.  Success of this program will be judged by the number of scholars who go on to secure NIH K awards (including the intramural K12) grants in the short term, and subsequently, NIH R01, and R01 equivalent funding in the long term in clinical and translational research. 

Applicants will receive some advising on their applications.  Questions can be directed to Megan Larson at mclarson@umn.edu.