(K12) CTSI Mentored Research Career Development Program Award in Clinical & Translational Science

Overview

The objective of the K12 program is to develop outstanding independent researchers by providing a structured research training program under the guidance of individualized mentorship.

The Miami Clinical Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is sponsoring up to four Mentored Research Career Development Program Awards in Clinical and Translational Science (K12) for fiscal years FY2026-2027.  The K12 program will support the research career development of Early-Stage Investigators (ESI) by providing two years (24 months) of funding, contingent on the availability of funding/scholar slots and proposal review.

Please refer to the K12 RFA for complete details and requirements.

This infographic shows how translational science is improving the process to get more treatments to more patients more quickly.

Translation is the process of turning observations in the laboratory, clinic and community into interventions that improve the health of individuals and the public – from diagnostics and therapeutics to medical procedures and behavioral changes. Translational Science (TS) is the field of investigation focused on understanding the scientific and operational principles underlying each step of the translational process. For detailed information on the Translational Science (TS) spectrum, visit the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) TS Spectrum and additional NCATS TS resources.

This infographic shows how translational science is improving the process to get more treatments to more patients more quickly.

Program Benefits

The program provides:

  • an individualized research and career development plan;
  • educational programs suited to the mentee, including enrollment in and completion of an advanced degree in clinical research, should it be needed;
  • experiential training with established faculty researchers as mentors;
  • mentorship and support;
  • supportive resources that include access to CTSI experts in epidemiology, research design, regulatory support, ethics, community engagement, and biostatistics;
  • modest funds to cover research costs and/or expenses associated with tuition, training opportunities, and travel support for preceptorship in expert labs or to attend relevant scientific meetings up to the maximum thresholds stipulated for applicable expenses.

Scholar Support

Support will include yearly

  • 75% salary support up to the NCATS Salary Cap
  • $20,000 for research expenses. Awardees will be required to devote 75% of their time to research (protected time) or no less than 50% if from surgical disciplines.
  • The K12 award will provide support for a scientifically meritorious research project in any health-related discipline, including, but not limited to medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, nursing, epidemiology, behavioral sciences, psychology, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and other disciplines.
  • The proposed project must be translational in nature: pre-clinical research, clinical research, clinical implementation, or public health. Refer to the description of the NCATS Translational Science Spectrum. To ascertain that the proposed research meet the criteria of Translational Science, please contact the K12 Program Administrator.
  • The proposed research project must address community engagement, generalizability of results, and applicability of project to the population groups that comprise South Florida.
  • As per NCATS guidelines, the Miami CTSI will not support clinical trial activity beyond Phase IIA
  • Only one proposal per person may be submitted.

All eligibility criteria must be met at the time of appointment (September 2025)

Candidates for Miami CTSI K12 awards must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a legal permanent resident of the U.S.
  • Have a research or health-professional doctoral degree or its equivalent.
  • Meet the NIH Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) criteria: ESI is a Program Director/Principal Investigator who has completed their terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training, whichever is later, within the past 10 years and who has not previously competed successfully as a PD/PI for a substantial NIH independent research award.
  • Have a full-time UM faculty appointment. JHS or VA investigators are eligible if their primary mentor is a UM faculty.

Voluntary faculty, Adjunct faculty, Lecturers, Residents, post-doctoral and clinical fellows are not eligible.

  • Commit a minimum of 75% time to research and research training over the award period (50% if from surgical disciplines). The remainder of time may be spent in clinical or teaching pursuits and/or research-related activities consistent with the objectives of the award. Candidates must obtain the primary department commitment for 75% (or 50%) research protected time and necessary resources (department letter of support required at submission).
  • Demonstrate a commitment to a career in clinical translational science.
  • Mentoring requirements:
    • Candidates are strongly encouraged to have a primary mentor already identified at the time of the LOI submission (March 20, 2025). If a mentor(s) is not identified, the K12 program directors will assist the candidates to select appropriate mentors aligned with the proposed research and career goals.
    • At least one mentor on the mentoring team should have a clinical background.
    • Mentors should hold faculty positions, be supported by NIH or other competitively awarded grants, and be acknowledged experts in clinical and translational science.
    • Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the program directors for advice on the selection of their mentoring team.
  • Must commit to apply for individual mentored K awards (e.g., K07, K08, K22, K23) and/or independent awards (e.g., R01, R03, R15, R21, R34, or equivalent applications from other federal agencies) during the K12 award period; if successful, scholars may be required to reduce or terminate their effort depending on program requirements.
  • Awardees will be selected based on their anticipated ability to complete the entire two-year (24 month) proposed program. The selection committee will consider whether individuals who have pending NIH research grant applications with fundable scores that would require early K12 termination are appropriate for this award.
  • Candidates for the K12 awards are strongly encouraged to participate fully or partially in the Master of Science in Clinical Translational Investigation (MSCTI). Tuition remission for MSCTI courses will follow UM policy on Graduate Tuition Remission Taxation.

The following are NOT eligible for the K12 award:

  • Individuals who are not U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or a legal permanent resident of the U.S.
  • Individuals on temporary or student visas.
  • Voluntary faculty, Adjunct faculty, Lecturers, Residents, post-doctoral and clinical fellows.
  • Individuals who have received funding as a Principal Investigator (PI) on any individual-mentored career development award (e.g., K07, K08, K22, K23).

Individuals who have previously received funding as PI or MPI on any major federal, VA, state, or foundation award: for example, research projects (R01), First Award (R29), sub-projects of a program project (P01), center grants (P50), or equivalents.

Deadlines & Award Timeline

Request for Applications (RFA) Issued February 18, 2025
Applicant Q&A Session (via Zoom) February 27, 2025
Letter of Intent due March 20, 2025
Invitation to full application (by invitation only) March 27, 2025
Full application deadline May 8, 2025 @ 11:59 PM
Award notification July 31, 2025
Program start date September 1, 2025

How to Apply

Review the following for complete details and requirements

Requirement for Awardees

All Miami CTSI K12 projects involving human subjects and/or live vertebrate animals must receive prior approval from NCATS. As required by NCATS, all K12 projects must be reviewed and approved by NCATS to ensure protection of human subjects and/or live vertebrate animals, appropriate data and safety monitoring, and scientific integrity. NCATS prior approval will be obtained only with valid IRB/IACUC approval documentation, and other requirements. The Miami CTSI will provide guidance and support through this process.

K12 awardees must diligently submit and receive IRB and/or other regulatory approvals and NCATS approval. Failure to do so could result in the pro-rating of the award budget up to rescinding of award.

Questions

Questions can be directed to Patricia Avissar.