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Frequently Asked Questions
Multidisciplinary Clinical Research
What is multidisciplinary clinical research?
Eligibility
Does it matter how long it’s been since I completed my post-doctoral training?
Do I have to be a member of the School of Medicine in order to apply?
If I have already studied under a K award, am I eligible for this program?
Does receiving a KL2 award make one ineligible to apply for a future K08 or K23?
I have a Clinical Scientist Development Award from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. May I still apply for the KL2?
May I apply if I have had a T32 fellowship?
At what career stage should potential Scholars be?
Are fellows eligible to apply to be scholars in this program?
Will I be at a disadvantage coming from a Division where a Scholar already was selected?
Are non-U.S. citizens eligible for this award?
Is this just for clinicians? Can PhD’s apply?
Do I have to have a clinical degree to apply?
Application
Are applications accepted only once per year? What are the submission dates?
Do applicants have to get a degree (MSCI or MSPH)?
What is the difference between the MSCI and the MSPH?
If I am accepted but cannot matriculate, may I defer my acceptance to a year later?
May I apply simultaneously for a K23 and the KL2?
What is the process of selecting scholars? How is my application evaluated?
What is a “NIH Biosketch”?
Program
What will selected applicants be called?
How many funded positions will there be each year?
What types of support are provided to each Scholar?
May I apply for 100% salary support from the KL2?
Is tuition paid by the grant?
What is the duration of support?
Are there exceptions to the 75% professional effort requirement?
How is this award different from the NIH's K08 or K23 awards?
Does everyone have to follow the same curriculum?
How is this program funded?
May this program be combined with a clinical fellowship?
Are there other clinical research training programs?
Mentoring
How many mentors do I need and how do I select them?
What makes someone qualified to be a mentor?
How do I select mentors to create an ideal multidisciplinary mentoring team?
What is team mentoring?
What is a trainee table? What is other support?
May I choose more than 2 mentors?
What is the time commitment required by mentors?
Do mentors need to be from Washington University or Saint Louis University?
Does one of my mentors need to be in my field of research?
Mechanism of Support
Will Scholars be given office space?
Besides my salary, what else is supported?
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Multidisciplinary Clinical Research top
What is multidisciplinary clinical research?
The scale and complexity of today's biomedical research problems increasingly demands that scientists move beyond the confines of their own discipline and explore new organizational models for team science. A multidisciplinary approach brings together numerous experts from diverse disciplines to collectively address a complex problem, with each expert addressing the issues from the perspective of his or her own discipline.
Clinical research is defined as patient-oriented research, that is, research conducted with human subjects or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens and cognitive phenomena, for which an investigator or colleague directly interacts with human subjects. Clinical research embraces a spectrum of scientific disciplines (e.g. epidemiology, biostatistics, pharmacology, biology and psychology), methodologies (e.g. observational, experimental), health professions (e.g. radiology, nursing, clinical psychology), and specialties and subspecialties (e.g. internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, oncology, cardiology, nephrology and others).
Examples of Clinical Research:
1. Patient-oriented research, include:
a. Mechanisms of human disease
b. Therapeutic interventions
c. Clinical trials
d. Development of new technologies
2. Epidemiologic and behavioral studies
3. Outcomes research and health services research
Eligibility top
Does it matter how long it’s been since I completed my post-doctoral training?
We have not established explicit limits on time since training; however, this award is best suited for applicants early in their professional careers. Individuals who have achieved the rank of associate professor are discouraged from applying.
Do I have to be a member of the School of Medicine in order to apply?
Absolutely not. This program strongly encourages applications from a variety of schools and disciplines (medical, health science, public health, nursing, pharmacy, social work, psychology, biomedical engineering, etc.), as well as from individuals not yet affiliated with Washington University.
If I have already studied under a K award, am I eligible for this program?
Yes. However, the cumulative length of time under NIH-sponsored K-series programs should be no more than 5 years. Since the minimum amount of time any one scholar may spend in this KL2 program is two years, he/she may not have had more than three years of support under a previous K program. Furthermore, the applicant would need to justify additional mentored research training or training in a team context.
Does receiving a KL2 award make one ineligible to apply for a future K08 or K23?
No. However, the total combined K award time can't exceed 6 years. So after 2 years on a KL2 grant, a scholar would be eligible for only 4 years under a K23 or other K. The hope and intention is that after completing the KL2 program, scholars will submit K23s, KO8s or R-type or U-type grant applications (e.g. R03, R21, R01, U01, etc.).
I have a Clinical Scientist Development Award from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. May I still apply for the KL2?
Yes.
May I apply if I have had a T32 fellowship?
Yes. You are eligible for up to 5 years on the KL2 after being on a T32.
At what career stage should potential Scholars be?
Scholars must hold a doctoral level degree and be in an early stage of their career, even while they are in subspecialty training. Scholars will be postdoctoral level trainees or junior faculty who plan to conduct, or are conducting, clinical research. Some Scholars may be at the tenure-track/assistant professor level when they enter the program, but the ideal trainee could be at an earlier stage. We expect that Scholars will become tenure-track clinical research faculty either during or after they progress through the program.
Are fellows eligible to apply to be scholars in this program?
Yes. We want to make it easy to access this program. We want to attract doctoral level clinical researchers even during subspecialty training, e.g. during their research years. This program is really suited for senior fellows nearing the end of their fellowshhip training.
Will I be at a disadvantage coming from a Division where a Scholar already was selected?
Not necessarily. All applications will be judged first on their merit. The diversity of the cohort is considered primarily among those applications that are judged to be sufficiently meritorious. Given the high quality of applicants that we receive, successful applicants from all Departments/Divisions/Schools will usually need to exhibit extraordinary capabilities, research questions and potential.
Are non-U.S. citizens eligible for this award?
In accordance with NIH policy, the award is only for U.S. citizens, green card holders, non-citizen nationals or permanent residents. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
Is this just for MDs? Can PhD’s apply?
Anyone with a clinical doctorate or PhD degree or its equivalent is eligible.
Do I have to have a clinical degree to apply?
No, but your career goals and interests must be in multidisciplinary clinical research (see “What is Multidisciplinary Clinical Research”).
Application top
Are applications accepted only once per year? What are the submission dates?
We have an annual submission period,
with potential Scholars submitting applications from June through September of the year prior to admission. For example, scholars who apply in June, 2008 would be applying to become a scholar in July, 2009.
Do applicants have to get a degree (MSCI or MSPH)?
No, advanced degrees are optional. Many scholars may already have a master's degree in addition to their doctorate. Other scholars may feel that this type of degree does not fit with their best interests. Scholars are free to explore other graduate degree or non-degree options if they can effectively fit it in with their curriculum, research interests, and clinical responsibilities.
What is the difference between the MSCI and the MSPH?
The Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) is offered through Washington University School of Medicine and requires a total of at least 33-credits. In order to earn a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation, trainees must earn additional credit by taking two electives related to their research interests, fulfilling special research requirements, and completing a thesis of either a submitted manuscript or grant proposal. Electives include offerings from the masters degree programs in Genetic Epidemiology, Psychiatric Epidemiology, and Health Care Services, as well as offerings from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and from other schools and programs within Washington University, including biomedical engineering and social work. Trainees pursuing a MSCI degree may also take coursework at Saint Louis University School of Public Health and Washington University Institute of Public Health. Students may individualize their schedules to take elective courses during the second year instead of the first, or may take additional elective courses in the second year. Most courses are taught during late afternoon or evening hours, and are located on the Washington University medical school campus.
The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) is offered through Saint Louis University (SLU) to those with terminal degrees (most typically MD, with the occasional
PhD) who seek training in
population based research methods (primarily epidemiology and biostatistics).
Washington University is now also developing a Masters Degree in Public Health. These individuals intend to continue in their clinical research activities and are not planning to become public health system practitioners, per se.
If I am accepted but cannot matriculate, may I defer my acceptance to a year later?
No. You are welcome to reapply the following year and be considered again with the new applicant pool.
May I apply for a K23 and the KL2?
This timing of K23, K08 and KL2 application should be discussed with the CRTC leadership and your mentors. You are not allowed to have both a K23 and KL2 at the same time. The timing of your application should take this into consideration.
What is the process of selecting scholars? How is my application evaluated?
Scholars are selected by a KL2 Selection Committee based on prior training, research, and commitment to a clinical research career, as well as potential to excel in the program.
What is an “NIH Biosketch”?
An NIH Biosketch is a format used by the NIH to collect and document pertinent information about people involved with NIH research. Here is a link to the format: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/biosketch.pdf If you have a CV, it won’t be too difficult to transfer your information.
Program top
What will selected applicants be called?
Applicants will be known as KL2 Career Development Award Scholars.
How many funded positions will there be each year?
Seven scholars were funded the first year (2006), ten scholars were selected in 2007, and five in 2008. The exact number of Scholars will vary from year to year depending on a number of factors, including the amount and duration of support that new and current scholars require.
What types of support are provided to each Scholar?
The program provides 75% salary support (up to $75,000/per year) for a minimum of two consecutive years. Scholars will receive up to $25,000 per year in research related expenses and travel, as well as tuitiion coverage for graduate-level coursework. They may also be eligible for the NIH Loan Repayment Program and are urged to learn about this program (http://www.lrp.nih.gov/). Scholars may be eligible for a third year based on their progress. Continuation each year is based on review of productivity and participation of scholars and mentors.
You do not need to attach a budget at this time. If you are selected as a scholar, you will be allowed up to $25,000 for research-related expenses. A budget will be required of accepted scholars. Typically, this is due to us by the end of May of the year you are going to start as a scholar.
May I apply for 100% salary support from the KL2?
The maximum level of salary support from the KL2 is up to the NIH cap of $75,000. If your 100% salary is less than $75,000 and if the CRTC, your mentors and your department chairman approves, you may be able to request more than 75% time and effort.
Is tuition paid by the grant?
Yes, resources for tuition are available for approximately 33 (MSCI) or 38 (MSPH) hours of approved courses that are in alignment with the KL2 program curriculum and related to the research training or career development goals of the candidate. Students wishing to pursue the GEMS degree can also have resources for tuition coverage.
What is the duration of support?
Scholars will be supported for a minimum of two and a maximum of three years.
In all cases the subsequent years of funding is contingent upon successful annual progress reports. Continued funding for existing projects will compete with new projects.
Are there exceptions to the 75% professional effort requirement?
Yes, exceptions to the 75% effort requirement may be made for limited specialties (e.g., surgical specialties requiring greater clinical effort to maintain surgical skills), but must be sufficiently justified and cannot be less than 50% effort.
How is this award different from the NIH's K08 or K23 awards?
It is similar in intent and the funding that is available. However, there are several important differences. The KL2 application materials are much shorter, and the time to notification is much shorter. A group of scholars will be chosen together for this K award, so there will be a cohort that will provide camaraderie and numerous opportunities to develop collaborative relationships early in training. A core curriculum is provided that will develop general scholarship with a wide array of clinical research topics. The KL2 program emphasizes intensive mentorship, requiring each scholar to have two mentors from different disciplines. Finally, awards will be determined by a multidisciplinary committee comprised of KL2 faculty and affiliated investigators.
Does everyone have to follow the same curriculum?
There is a common core curriculum for clinical investigation meant to provide instruction in core topics critical for all clinical investigators. All scholars will be expected to complete this core curriculum (or equivalent courses), and then will take additional elective courses depending upon their particular research interests. Additionally, Scholars are required to attend a minimum of 75% of the weekly seminars (August - May), as well as the annual Career Development Retreat.
How is this program funded?
This program is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Grant Number KL2RR024994, with additional support from Washington University School of Medicine.
May this program be combined with a clinical fellowship?
KL2 funds cannot be used to support clinical fellowship training. However, fellows who have completed the part of their fellowship needed for sub specialty certification are eligible to apply. For example, although a Medical Oncology fellowship may last 3-4 years (or more), fellows who have completed 2 years may be eligible to sit for the boards, and are therefore eligible.
Are there other clinical research training programs?
There are many opportunities available at Washington University and beyond. At Washington University, the Clinical Research Training Center (CRTC), is comprised of:
Mentoring top
How many mentors do I need and how do I select them?
Mentoring is a critical part of the KL2, and who your mentors are is very important.
You should start by looking online at our Mentor page and looking at the approved Potential Mentor list. You will need to select two mentors who should be from different disciplines. You will need to designate who is going to be the primary and who is going to be the secondary mentor. Keep in mind that you will need to get a letter of support from both of your mentors, so you will need to establish a relationship ahead of time with the mentor, if you don’t already have one.
You are encouraged to select your mentor(s) from our approved Potential Mentor list. However, you may propose alternate mentors. If you choose to select mentors who are not already approved, please be sure that they are qualified to be a mentor and are willing to dedicate the time to you and this program. All mentors will ultimately need to be approved ahead of time by the KL2 Program and the NIH, so be sure to submit your application well ahead of the deadline. Additionally, you will need to submit a NIH Biosketch, Other Support form, and Trainee Table for any alternate mentors you propose.
What makes someone qualified to be a mentor?
- Must have a long-standing track record of successful, independent research
- Have their own funding (i.e., R01)
- Must have a successful trainee track record mentoring trainees in academic careers
- Have the time to dedicate to their mentee and the KL2 Program
- Have the desire to be a mentor and be willing to write a letter of support
How do I select mentors to create an ideal multidisciplinary mentoring team?
Magnify Your Strengths
Will this mentor complement my strengths?
Will this mentor help create synergy?
Will this mentor enable me to better meet my goals?
Augment Your Weaknesses
Will this mentor provide content in an essential area in which I have a deficit?
Will this mentor contribute new insights?
Will this mentor help diversify this team?
Build For the Future
Will this mentor be committed to being a team member beyond the immediate project?
Will this mentor be available to me?
Will this mentor be willing to invest in my academic success?
Choose Optimism and Truth
Will this mentor provide honest feedback?
Will this mentor seek to conduct the very best research?
Will this mentor enjoy working with me?
(Adapted from a talk by Joan Lakoski, University of Pittsburgh, at the Annual Meeting of the Roadmap K12, 2006)
What is team mentoring?
For this program, team mentoring means more than each mentee having multiple mentors; it means having mentors working together as a team to contribute to the mentee’s career development. This team mentoring model provides benefits for the mentee as he/she learns multidisciplinary methods of discovery and the mentors as they have the opportunity to bring fresh perspectives to the research question(s) they are examining. The team of mentors and mentee should meet on a regular basis.
What is a trainee table? What is other support?
If you choose a mentor that is not on our approved potential mentor list, then you will need to get their “trainee table” as well as information on their “other support.” A trainee table is a listing of other mentees your proposed mentor currently is mentoring and/or has mentored in the past. Here is a link to an example.
According to the NIH, “other support includes all financial resources, whether Federal, non-Federal, commercial or institutional, available in direct support of an individual's research endeavors, including but not limited to research grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and/or institutional awards. Training awards, prizes, or gifts do not need to be included.” Here is a link to an example of an “other support” table: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/othersupport.doc
May I choose more than 2 mentors?
The grant requires that you choose one primary and one secondary mentor from two different disciplines. You can have as many advisors to help your professional career development as you’d like.
What is the time commitment required by mentors?
Mentors are expected to: meet with their scholar weekly, provide guidance and feedback, help the scholar overcome barriers, monitor the scholar’s progress and help guide their research, evaluate the scholar and be evaluated, and participate in program activities when possible. It is not possible for us to estimate the actual time any given mentor will spend.
Do mentors need to be from Washington University or Saint Louis University?
Mentors must be approved by the program, the NIH, and be from one of the sponsoring institutions.
Does one of my mentors need to be in my field of research?
Mentors are generally from your field(s) of research and/or interest.
Mechanism of Support top
Will Scholars be given office space?
Yes, Scholars will have shared office space. Housing scholars together in the same office area will help to foster a collaborative milieu and encourage the frequent informal interactions that enrich a rigorous research training program. Laboratory or additional research space is not available directly through the program, but may be provided by the scholar's mentors or research team.
Besides my salary, what else is supported?
- Resources for:
- up to $25,000/year in research funds
- travel to the annual NIH meeting
- tuition (in addition to the $25K)
- Opportunity to obtain a Master’s degree in Clinical Investigation or Public Health
- Protected research time
- Access to a multidisciplinary pool of highly qualified mentors who will guide research projects and career development
- Dedicated office space (shared) in the Clinical Research Training Center
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