The K Scholars program, managed by CTSI’s Clinical and Translational Science Training (CTST) Hub, supports the career development of junior faculty building careers in clinical and translational research. The Hub serves the needs of junior faculty from all four UCSF Schools and from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. Annual enrollment in this popular program now consistently exceeds 70 scholars.
The K Scholars program provides an academically invigorating and supportive environment encompassing many of the top young faculty at UCSF and affiliated institutions. Participants can expect advice and support from an exceptional group of peers—junior faculty from a range of health-related disciplines—all at a similar stage in developing a path to an independent academic research career. Support also includes mentorship and guidance from outstanding program faculty, all of whom are successful clinical and translational researchers with expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics, implementation sciences, scientific writing and career mentoring.
The K Scholars program provides support for scholars to:
- Conduct high quality clinical and translational research that will have a meaningful and sustained impact on their field;
- Foster and nurture multidisciplinary collaborations and explore novel research directions; and
- Develop the range of skills necessary to achieve a successful independent academic research career.
K Scholars benefit from one-on-one advice related to career development and statistical advising, as well as access to faculty with expertise in manuscript and grant writing. Each Friday, scholars participate in works-in-progress seminars, methodological and career development didactic sessions, and networking. K Scholars are engaged in a range of clinical and translational research projects across a variety of clinical conditions and local, national, and international systems, including first-in-human studies, genetics and early biomarker research, observational cohort studies, clinical trials, quality improvement research, and studies of health policy.
Junior faculty engaged in clinical and translational research become part of the K program in two ways:
- Receiving KL2 intramural career development awards from CTSI (applications submitted in winter, awardees announced in spring). Competition is rigorous as the program receives applications from junior faculty from across campus. The KL2 resources include salary support and research project support, and is three years in duration (Apply for a KL2 Award)
- Receiving career development awards from the National Institutes of Health (K23, K08, K01, faculty diversity supplements), or equivalent awards from foundations or other UCSF career development programs. (Apply to the K Program with an outside award)
K Scholars who will have a primary faculty appointment in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics should follow these guidelines when planning a new K Award application. The goal is to make sure potential K Awardees are supported in a consistent manner.
Directory of K Scholars and Faculty
The K Scholars Program is jointly funded by the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI).
CTSI is part of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Grant Number UL1 TR991872). The content of this website is solely the responsibility of CTSI and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.
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