Re: Request for Applications, NUCATS Mentored Research Career

Date: November 1, 2023

To: Northwestern University (NU) Chairs, Chiefs, Center and Institute Directors, Training Grant

Directors, and Faculty

From: Leena Sharma, MD, Chang-Lee Professor of Medicine and Preventive Medicine, NU Feinberg

School of Medicine, Director, NUCATS Mentored Research Career Development Program

Betina Yanez, PhD, Associate Professor of Medical Social Sciences NU Feinberg School of Medicine,

Associate Director, NUCATS Mentored Research Career Development Program

Richard T. D’Aquila, MD, Associate Vice President of Research, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical and

Translational Research, Howard Taylor Ricketts, MD, Professor of Medicine, NU Feinberg School of

Medicine, Director, NUCATS

Re: Request for Applications, NUCATS Mentored Research Career Development

Program in Clinical and Translational Science (K12, formerly KL2)

Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS) is pleased to announce

a Request for Applications for the Mentored Career Development Program in Clinical and Translational

Science (K12, formerly KL2). (Contingent on funding by NIH/NCATS of the NUCATS UM1 and K12

applications submitted September 15, 2023)

We are committed to supporting individuals early in their career trajectory and to creating and nurturing

a diverse and inclusive community. It is our mission to value the whole Scholar – past, present, and

future. Scholars from diverse backgrounds and life experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key dates and deadlines:

• K12 Information Sessions:

o Wednesday, November 8, 2023 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. If you wish to attend, please

o Thursday, November 16, 2023 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. If you wish to attend, please

• Letter of Intent Due: February 1, 2024

o If you miss the letter of intent due date, please contact Morgan Barrowman at

[email protected]

as soon as possible in order for your application

to proceed to review.

• Applications Due: March 1, 2024

• Funds Available: September 1, 2024 (Contingent on funding by NIH/NCATS of the

NUCATS UM1 and K12 applications submitted September 15, 2023)

Please refer to the RFA beginning on the next page or the

NUCATS Mentored Research Career

Development Program website for a program description, eligibility, and application instructions.

Mentored Research Career Development Award

Program Information and Proposal Instructions for 2023-2024

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

.......................................................................................................................... 3

II. Overview .............................................................................................................................. 3

III. Eligibility ............................................................................................................................... 3

IV. Provisions of the Award ........................................................................................................ 4

V. Reporting & Evaluation Requirements .................................................................................. 5

VI. Selection Criteria .................................................................................................................. 6

VII. Proposal Instructions Overview ............................................................................................ 6

VIII. Detailed Proposal Instructions ............................................................................................. 7

IX. Important Dates .................................................................................................................... 9

X. Contacts for Application Support .......................................................................................... 9

XI. Useful Links ........................................................................................................................ 10

XII. Appendices

XIII. Appendix 1 – Reviewer Criteria

………………………………..…………………………………11

I. Introduction

The Mentored Research Career Development Program in Clinical and Translational Science

is an important focus of NUCATS.

The overarching goal of this program is to train and nurture diverse clinical and translational

scientists to be resilient leaders of high-functioning, interdisciplinary teams, leaders who are well

positioned to tackle translational roadblocks and procure external funding, and who employ

implementation science principles and partner with affected/interested groups and end-users.

In order to accomplish this objective, the program provides robust mentoring teams to assess the

educational needs of individual K12 Scholars and provide optimal, personalized training and career

development resources. The program supports Scholars across disparate areas of expertise and

investigation.

II. Overview

The NUCATS Mentored Research Career Development Program accepts applications from early-

stage faculty members who are pursuing a clinical or translational research career and wish to

receive additional mentored research experience. The award is open to individuals with doctoral

level degrees, including but not limited to PhD, MD, or DO degrees, who seek to pursue additional

training in clinical and translational research or science. Scholars are accepted from a wide array of

specialties, departments, schools, and partner institutions across Northwestern University.

The program provides support for up to two years and submitted applications should cover a

training period of two years. The two-year training must include both mentored research and plans

for other research career development activities. During the period of the award, individuals who

are funded by this mechanism will receive assistance in applying for other research career

development awards or other independent grants. It is expected that appointed Scholars will have

made significant progress toward the submission of an individual K award application or an R01 or

equivalent grant by the end of the first year of K12 funding.

Early-career investigators in the program (Scholars) will participate in an integrated didactic and

mentored research program overseen by the Executive Leadership Committee (ELC)

. The ELC

includes members from diverse backgrounds and with varied expertise. Activities of the ELC

include support for development and monitoring of each Scholar’s Individual Career Advancement

Plan and the identification of novel opportunities and approaches to career development,

personalized to each Scholar. The ELC includes several experienced investigators and mentors

and is chaired by Drs. Leena Sharma and Betina Yanez.

III. Eligibility

Northwestern University, NUCATS, and the NUCATS Mentored Research Career Development

Program are committed to supporting individuals early in their career trajectory and to creating,

sustaining, and nurturing a diverse and inclusive campus community. Scholars from diverse

backgrounds and life experiences bring different perspectives, creativity, and individual enterprise

to address complex scientific problems. Individuals belonging to groups that have been traditionally

underrepresented in biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences (e.g., certain racial, ethnic,

and gender minorities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and individuals with

disabilities) are strongly encouraged to apply to this program, in accordance with NIH Notice NOT-

OD-20-031.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Include a clinical or translational project that involves human participants, human

specimens, or human data, with the ultimate goal of improving the health of individuals or

the public.

o Among lab-based scientists, applicants who seek a career path of translational work

involving humans are particularly encouraged.

• Hold a research or health-professional doctoral degree or its equivalent, including but not

limited to MD, DO, and PhD. Candidates from Northwestern University, including those from

outside the Feinberg School of Medicine, are encouraged to apply.

• Have a full-time faculty appointment at the time of being awarded; this must be documented

in the letter of support from the Department Chair.

• At the time of the application, be either a postdoctoral fellow, Instructor, or in the first five

years of their first faculty appointment as Assistant Professor or Research Assistant

Professor. Individuals who at the time of the application have been Assistant

Professors/Research Assistant Professors for more than 5 years and those who are

Associate Professors or Research Associate Professors are not eligible to apply.

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

• Commit 75% effort to the K12 program (or as low as 50% for surgeons or other procedure

intensive specialists requiring 50% direct patient care time to maintain skills. Please inquire

at [email protected]

for additional information.)

• Have mentors with sufficient independent research support to cover the costs of the

proposed research project in excess of the allowable costs. The use of mentoring teams

including co-mentors to achieve the goals of the program is strongly encouraged.

• Not be, or have been, a PI on an NIH R01-funded project or a project leader on a funded

sub-project of a program project (P01) or center (P50) grant.

• Not be or have been a PI on a PHS or non-PHS peer-reviewed research grant that is over

$100,000 direct costs per year.

• Former or current PIs of NIH Small Grants (R03), Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21),

or SBIR/STTR (R43, R44) grants are eligible.

• To be eligible to submit an application in 2024, applicants may not submit an application for

an individual PHS mentored career development (K) award (e.g., K01, K07, K08, K22, K23,

or any other individual K mechanism) for the February 12, 2024 or March 12, 2024 NIH

deadlines.

• At the time of their appointments, Scholars must not have pending (or awarded) an

application for any other PHS mentored career development (K) award (e.g., K01, K07, K08,

K22, K23, or any other individual K mechanism) that duplicates any of the provisions of the

K component.

• Appointed Scholars are encouraged, and will be strongly mentored, to apply for individual

mentored career development (K) awards (e.g. K01, K07, K08, K22, K23) and/or

independent research awards (R01, R21); if successful, Scholars may be required to reduce

effort on the mentored career award to a minimum of six-person months and hold

concurrent support from their mentored career award and a competing PHS research grant

on which they are the PD/PI or component lead. Another option may be to terminate the

mentored award appointment depending on Program requirements (See NOT-OD-08-065

IV. Provisions of the Award

The NUCATS Mentored Career Development award provides a number of tangible resources to

support the career development of early-stage faculty who are fully committed to a career in clinical

or translational research. Some of these provisions include:

• % Effort: The K12 protects 75% of a Scholar’s full-time professional effort for training and

clinical or translational research activities. This is based on the entire amount of time worked

in a typical week. The remaining 25% effort can be divided among other clinical,

administrative, and teaching responsibilities.

• Salary & Fringe: Sources of salary + fringe support for the 75% effort include funds of up to

$120,000 per year. The Department must cover the difference, if any, between the available

$120,000 and 75% of the Scholar’s salary & fringe. Please refer to Section XI

for additional

information about NIH policy on receiving concurrent support.

• Other Direct Costs: The budget should include funds to support Scholar research projects

and career development activities. Up to $35,000 per year is available to cover the following

expenses: (a) tuition and fees related to career development; (b) research expenses such

as supplies, equipment, and technical personnel to supplement those provided by the

mentor; (c) up to $2,500 for Scholar travel to scientific meetings and research training

workshops, and (d) statistical services. These funds may not be used to provide additional

Scholar salary support. Mentor support may include up to $10,000 per year for associated

laboratory or other research-related expenses. Salary support for mentors is not an

allowable budget item.

− Tuition: Funds may be applied to support coursework in the Master of Science in

Clinical Investigation (MSCI) program or other associated Feinberg School of

Medicine graduate programs. Scholars will be encouraged to participate in courses

to supplement their current knowledge and expertise in clinical and translational

research as part of their Individual Career Advancement Plan process and in

consultation with their mentoring teams and the ELC.

− Travel: Up to $2,500 per year is provided to Scholars to attend the Association of

Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) Conference held in Washington, D.C., or

an alternative conference. Travel costs will include Scholar registration, airfare, hotel,

and associated transportation (to and from airport, tolls, parking), meals, and

incidentals. Domestic travel to additional conferences beyond what is supported by

the $2,500 may be budgeted within the research and development support (see

Other Direct Costs, above). Foreign travel may not be charged on this award.

• Research Design Analysis Methods Program (RAMP) Mentor Support: One or two

RAMP mentors are assigned to each Scholar to provide individualized, hands-on, and

educational mentorship throughout the two-year award in areas including biostatistics,

epidemiology, bioinformatics, qualitative research methods, and/or health services research.

RAMP mentor selection is personalized, according to the Scholar’s needs. RAMP mentor

effort is provided by the program and does not need to be accounted for in the individual

budget of each Scholar.

• Commitment by Scholar’s Department: The Department agrees to release the funded

Scholar for the following activities, which are included in the Scholar’s 75% (or as low as

50% for procedure intensive specialists) effort:

− Orientation Bootcamp at the beginning of the Scholar’s appointment period

− Periodic progress meetings

− Monthly peer-mentoring seminar series, Succeeding with Your K Award, held the

third Monday of each month from 12 – 1:30 PM CST

− Monthly RAMP mentor meetings

− Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training in cases where the RCR

requirement has not already been met

V. Reporting and Evaluation

• Reporting Requirements: Scholars and their mentors are required to provide semi-

annual updates on the Scholar’s research and career development progress as well as

complete annual reports for the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)

submitted to NCATS. Scholars also agree to complete annual RPPR requests for 15

years after completion of their award period.

• Linking and Citing the K12 Award: Scholars must link their publications to their award

in PubMed and cite the award on their publications. Instructions will be provided upon

appointment to the award.

• Human Subjects and Live Vertebrate Animals Approval: The program is required to

comply with the NCATS policy regarding research involving human subjects and live

vertebrate animals. Scholar projects involving human subjects or live vertebrate animals

are required to secure approval from NCATS before funds can be released and project

work can begin. Please refer to Section XI

for guidance on the approval process.

i. Materials are NOT required for the application, but Finalists will be sent detailed

instructions and are encouraged to begin preparing at that stage.

ii. Scholars selected for the award must submit a modification to the IRB/IACUC to

have the grant # added. To avoid delays due to lack of IRB/IACUC approvals,

Scholars are encouraged to begin the process to secure approvals as soon as

possible upon notification as Finalist.

iii. Please be aware that the NCATS prior approval process takes a minimum of 30

days once a request is submitted to NCATS.

iv. Research funds cannot be released until NCATS approval has been

obtained. Scholars are able to receive salary support.

VI. Selection Criteria

The evaluation of each application will be holistic, considering everything the applicant brings.

The following criteria will be scored, using the 9-point NIH scoring system. Please refer to the

evaluation criteria below and take into account how these criteria are assessed by reviewers (See

Appendix-1

) while preparing the proposal:

• Candidate

• Career Development Plan; Career Goals & Objectives; [Mentor(s)] Plan to Provide

Mentoring

• Research Plan

• Mentor(s), Co-mentor(s), Consultant(s), Collaborator(s)

• Institutional Commitment to the Candidate and Environment

VII. Proposal Instructions Overview

Feinberg School of Medicine and other Northwestern University investigators should work

with their Department or Division Research Administrator to submit this internal award. This

submission does not need to go through the Office for Sponsored Research.

Lurie Children’s investigators should work with the Office of Sponsored Programs to submit their

application. Investigators must complete internal routing and address budget questions to the Lurie

Office of Sponsored Programs (staff listing).

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab investigators should work with the SRAlab Office of Research

Administration (ORA) to submit their application. Investigators must complete internal routing and

address budget questions to their assigned research administrator in ORA.

Elements of the application process include:

• Letter of Intent, Due Thursday, February 1, 2024, by 11:59 PM – completed through

REDCap form

o The K12 Applicant & Proposal Information Form serves as the letter of intent

o Requires data on the applicant (Department, primary mentor, etc.) as well as a

project summary/abstract

• Full Application, Due Friday, March 1, 2024, by 11:59 PM - completed in

Competitions. (Note: Applicants should log in using NU NetID) Full applications must

include:

1. First page of the PHS398 Grant Application

2. Biosketches

a. Applicant Biosketch

b. Primary Mentor(s) Biosketches

3. Proposal – 9 total pages

a. Candidate's Background – 1 page

b. Career Goals and Objectives – 1 page

c. Career Development Plan/Career Goals & Objectives/ Mentor(s) Plan to

Provide Mentoring – 2 pages

d. Specific Aims – 1 page

e. Research Strategy – 4 pages

4. Letters of Support

a. Joint letter from Department Chair & Division Chief (Required)

b. Primary mentor (Required)

c. Co-mentors (Required), consultants (as appropriate), and contributors (as

appropriate)

5. Budget & Budget Justification outlining the use of award funds for a period of two

years.

• Updates to the Letter of Intent, Due Friday, March 1, 2024, by 11:59 PM

o If any information in your letter of intent changes between February 1 and March 1,

you must update your letter of intent information by the full application deadline. If

you need to make revisions, please contact [email protected]

for the code to access your LOI

VIII. Detailed Proposal Instructions

Feinberg School of Medicine and other Northwestern University investigators should work

with their Department or Division Research Administrator to submit this internal award. This

submission does not need to go through the Office for Sponsored Research.

Lurie Children’s investigators should work with the Office of Sponsored Programs to submit their

application. Investigators must complete internal routing and address budget questions to the Lurie

Office of Sponsored Programs (staff listing).

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab investigator should work with the SRAlab Office of Research

Administration (ORA) to submit their application. Investigators must complete internal routing and

address budget questions to their assigned research administrator in ORA.

• T

hursday, February 1, 2024 – Letter of Intent Due (By 11:59 pm)

o Complete the NUCATS Mentored Career Develop Program Applicant & Proposal

Information Form (serves as the letter of intent). This form will capture applicant data

and proposal information including the project summary/abstract.

 Applicants may return to this form and save it to complete or adjust their

responses at any time until March 1, 2024.

 Use this link for guidance on NIH project summary/abstracts. Please note,

you are not submitting a project narrative and you should only refer to the

project summary/abstract information.

 I

f any information in this form changes (e.g., mentoring team) between the

Letter of Intent due date (February 1) and the Full Application due date

(March 1), you must update the information in this form.

• Friday, March 1, 2024 – Full Application Due (By 11:59 pm)

o Applications are completed through NU Competitions.

 NU Competitions is a platform that allows you to log in with your

Northwestern NetID.

 Technical support for submissions in NU Competitions can be reached at:

[email protected]

o The Full Application consists of the following sections:

 Project Title

 Application Document (combined .pdf document uploaded to the

application). Must include:

• First Page of PHS398

o #2 – RFA Number is not needed. Title is: NUCATS Mentored

Career Development Award

o #12 & #13 – Applications are NOT routed through OSR, but

you can list Jason Hawkins, Sponsored Research Officer as

the official to be notified regardless of the institution with which

you are affiliated (Northwestern University, Lurie, SRAlab, etc.)

• Applicant’s Biosketch

• Proposal – 9 pages total

o Candidate’s Background – 1 page

 In addition to your research background, please

include any other aspects of your background and lived

experiences that have influenced your career

development.

o Career Goals and Objectives – 1 page

o Career Development Plan – 2 pages

o Specific Aims – 1 page

o Research Strategy – 4 pages

 In addition to proposed strategy/design, methodology,

and analyses, include plans for the inclusion of

individuals on the basis of sex, race, and ethnicity

 Include information on any stakeholder and community

engagement. While this is not a review criterion,

community engagement is supported by the award. For

information on community-engaged research and

resources, please visit the

Center for Community

Health website.

 References do not count toward page limitations.

• Primary Mentor Biosketch

• Letters of Support: Letters should document the strengths and

attributes of the applicant, the role of the mentor in the career

development of the Scholar, and how the work proposed fits into the

overall program funded by the mentor.

o Department Chair & Division Chief (Required. If you have a

Division Chief, this can be a shared letter.)

o Primary Mentor (Required. If your primary mentor also serves

as your Department Chair or Division Chief, they may submit

one letter that clearly outlines the distinct roles they will serve

and the type of support they will provide within each role.)

Primary Mentor Letter should include the following sections:

 Candidate’s Potential

 Information on mentor’s research qualifications and

previous mentoring experience

 Plan for candidate’s training and research career

development

 Nature of mentoring and commitment to the

candidate’s development

 Source of anticipated support for the candidate’s

research project

 Anticipated breakdown of professional responsibilities

during the award period

 Metrics determining successful progress

 Plan for progression from the mentored stage to

independent research investigator status

o Co-Mentors (Required), Consultants (as appropriate), and

Contributors (as appropriate).

 Budget

• Read the Budget Justification Information for instructions on

completing the Budget & Budget Justification.

• Complete the Budget Template (.docx file). -

o .Xls will ultimately be submitted upon receiving the award, but

the current platform for submitting proposals does not allow

this format. We request a .docx rather than a .pdf to make it

easier to help you with edits later on.

• Upload the completed budget in NU Competitions

 Budget Justification

• Complete the Budget Justification Template (.docx file).

• Upload the completed Budget Justification in NU Competitions.

o Update KL2 Applicant & Proposal Information before final proposal

submission

 Applicants should review the information submitted in the NUCATS Mentored

Career Development Award Applicant & Proposal Information form and make

updates as needed.

 Submit final version by 11:59 pm on Friday, March 1, 2024.

IX. Important Dates

• Request for Applications released November 1, 2023

• Information Session #1 November 8, 2023

• Information Session #2 November 16, 2023

• Letter of Intent Due February 1, 2024

• Full Application Due March 1, 2024

• Review Panel Convenes Early April 2024

• Interviews Finalists & Mentors Mid April – Late April 2024

o Finalists identified by the Review Panel will participate in an interview with selected

ELC members. Finalists will respond to a series of questions concerning their past,

present, and future research and life experiences to assist reviewers in obtaining a

comprehensive view of the candidate.

• Notification of Decisions Early May 2024

• Award Begins (Contingent on funding of the September 1, 2024

NUCATS UM1 and K12 applications submitted

September 15, 2023)

• KL2 Orientation Bootcamp June 2024

X. Contacts for Application Support

• Support with Preparing and Submitting your Application

o Feinberg School of Medicine and other Northwestern University investigators

should work with their Department or Division Research Administrator to submit this

internal award. This submission does not need to go through the Office for

Sponsored Research.

o Lurie Children’s investigators should work with the Office of Sponsored

Programs to submit their application. Investigators must complete internal routing

and address budget questions to the Lurie Office of Sponsored Programs (staff

listing).

o Shirley Ryan Ability Lab investigator should work with the SRAlab Office of

Research Administration (ORA) to submit their application. Investigators must

complete internal routing and address budget questions to their assigned research

administrator in ORA.

• Qualification/Eligibility Questions

o Leena Sharma, MD, Program Director, L-[email protected]

o Betina Yanez, PhD, Associate Program Director, [email protected]

• KL2 Application Process questions:

o Morgan Barrowman, CECD Senior Project Coordinator,

[email protected]

• NU Competitions: Technical Support: [email protected]

XI. Useful Links

• Notice of NIH’S Interest in Diversity, NOT-OD-20-031:

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-031.html

• NIH Policy regarding Human subjects and/or Vertebrate Animals research prior approval:

https://ncats.nih.gov/ctsa/funding/prior-approval-faq

• NIH Policy concerning concurrent support from a KL2 Award and a Research Grant:

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-18-157.html

• NIH Biosketch Format: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm

• National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS): https://ncats.nih.gov/

• Northwestern University Institutional Review Board: https://irb.northwestern.edu/

• NUCATS Website: https://www.nucats.northwestern.edu/

• NUCATS Mentored Career Development Award Website:

https://www.nucats.northwestern.edu/education-and-career-development/career-

development-awards/kl2/index.html

• Current KL2 Scholars:

https://www.nucats.northwestern.edu/education-and-career-

development/career-development-awards/kl2/scholars.html

• Previous KL2 Scholars:

https://www.nucats.northwestern.edu/training/nih-funding-

opportunities/kl2/past-scholars.html

• NUCATS BERD/RAMP Core:

https://www.nucats.northwestern.edu/research-

resources/data-analytics-informatics/biostatistics-research-design.html

• NUCATS Center for Community Health: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cch/

• Letter of Intent link (Applicant & Proposal Information):

https://redcap.nubic.northwestern.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=3PAERHTNPE

• Budget & Budget Justification & Information: Budget Justification Information

• Budget Template: - K12_Budget_Template.xlsx

Budget Justification template: Budget_Justification_Template.docx

• Application Frequently Asked Questions:

FAQ_NUCATS Mentored Career Development

Award Application_2023.pdf

• Lurie Children’s Hospital Office of Sponsored Program:

https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/research/management/sponsored-programs/

XII. Appendix 1 - Reviewer Criteria

Each application will be reviewed by three reviewers to score the following categories:

• CANDIDATE

• CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLAN/CAREER GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• RESEARCH PLAN

• MENTOR(S), CO-MENTOR(S), CONSULTANT(S), COLLABORATOR(S)

• ENVIRONMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT TO THE CANDIDATE

• OVERALL IMPACT

Scored Review Criteria

Reviewers will consider each of the five review criteria below in the determination of the candidate’s

qualifications, scientific and technical merit of the proposed research, career development plan,

mentor’s qualifications and mentoring plan, environment and institutional commitment to the candidate,

and give a separate score for each.

1. Candidate:

Does the candidate have the potential to develop as an independent and productive

researcher? Are the candidate's prior training and research experience appropriate for this

award? Is the candidate’s academic, clinical (if relevant), and research record of high quality?

How have lived experiences and disadvantages affected what the candidate has been able to

accomplish? Is there evidence of the candidate’s commitment to meeting the program objectives

to become an independent investigator?

2. Career Development Plan/Career Goals & Objectives: What is the likelihood that the plan

will contribute substantially to the scientific development of the candidate and to lead to scientific

independence? Are the candidate's prior training and research experience appropriate for this

award? Are the content, scope, phasing, and duration of the career development plan appropriate

when considered in the context of prior training/research experience and the stated training and

research objectives for achieving research independence? Are there adequate plans for

monitoring and evaluating the candidate’s research and career development progress? What

impact will the KL2 program have on the candidate’s future trajectory?

3. Research Plan: Are the proposed research question, design, and methodology of significant

scientific and technical merit? Is the prior research that serves as the key support for the

proposed project rigorous?

Has the candidate presented strategies to ensure a robust and

unbiased approach, as appropriate for the work proposed? Is the research plan relevant to the

candidate’s research career objectives? Is the research plan appropriate to the stage of research

development and as a vehicle for developing the research skills described in the career

development plan?

4. Mentor(s), Co-Mentor(s), Consultant(s), Collaborator(s): Are the qualifications of the

mentor(s) in the area of the proposed research appropriate? Does the mentor(s) adequately

address the candidate’s potential and his/her strengths and areas needing improvement? Is there

adequate description of the quality and extent of the mentor’s proposed role in providing guidance

and advice to the candidate? Is the mentor’s description of the elements of the research career

development activities, including formal course work adequate? Is there evidence of the mentor’s,

consultant’s, and/or collaborator’s previous experience in fostering the development of

independent investigators? Is there evidence of the mentor's current research productivity and

peer-reviewed support? Is active/pending support for the proposed research project appropriate

and adequate? Are there adequate plans for monitoring and evaluating the career development

awardee’s

ogress toward independence?

5. Environment and Institutional Commitment to the Candidate: Is there clear commitment of

the sponsoring institution to ensure that the required minimum of the candidate’s effort (75%) will be

devoted directly to the research and career development activities described in the application,

with the remaining percent effort being devoted to an appropriate balance of research, teaching,

administrative, and clinical responsibilities? Is the institutional commitment to the career

development of the candidate appropriately strong? Are the research facilities, resources and

training opportunities, including faculty capable of productive collaboration with the candidate

adequate and appropriate? Is the environment for scientific and professional development of the

candidate of high

quality?

Is there assurance that the institution intends the candidate to be an

integral part of its research program as independent investigator?

Overall Impact

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood that the

proposed career development and research plan will enhance the candidate’s potential for a

productive, independent scientific research career in a health-related field, taking into in consideration

of the following five scored review criteria. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to

have a major impact. In assigning an overall impact score, reviewers will consider lived experiences

that have influenced career development of the candidate.