Application Instructions

Applications for KL2 Scholars to begin July 2010 are now CLOSED

Listen to Dr. Fraser's podcast for additional guidance on applying to the KL2.

***Please review eligibility to make sure that you/your research meet the requirements of this award. ***

You will submit or upload all of your application materials online.  If you have questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions before you contact us for help. We will be happy to assist you or direct you to someone who can address your questions. If there are problems with your application and you submit it early, we may have time to inform you so that you may take the necessary steps needed.

Only complete applications will be reviewed. Your application will not be considered complete until all parts listed below are submitted online.

To start the application process, you will need to complete and SUBMIT the initial "face page" information before the remainder of the online application system will be open to you.  Neither you nor your mentors and references will be able to upload the remaining required documentation until you have completed this initial step.

If you are proposing a mentor that is not on our approved potential mentor list, you will be unable to complete this initial step until the program approves your proposed mentor and adds them to the online list of proposed mentors.  Please read the Part 5 - Mentors section (below) carefully so that you understand what qualifications are required to be an NIH-approved KL2 Mentor and the necessary mentor documentation to be submitted.

If you need to add additional information to your application after you have submitted it (i.e, award you just won, publications, etc...), you may attach a note through the online submission system.

Font and Margins

• Use an Arial, Helvetica, Palatino Linotype or Georgia typeface and a font size of 11 points or larger. (A Symbol font may be used to insert Greek letters or special characters; the font size requirement still applies.)
• Type density, including characters and spaces, must be no more than 15 characters per inch.
• Type should be typical single space.
• Font should be black.
• Use at least one-half inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right) for all pages, including continuation pages.
• References are excluded from page limits.
• Appendices are not allowed in the research plan.
• A budget is not required with the application.  Selected scholars will be asked to provide a budget with justification upon acceptance.

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED TO SUBMIT:

Part 1 – Application Form

Part 2 – Career Development Plan

Please submit a 3-5 page career development plan (no more than 5 pages, references are not included in page count) that should include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Career goals
• Past research experience/Past graduate coursework that is relevant
• Who your mentors are and why you have selected them
• What coursework you are planning to take and why
• How many years you anticipate being on the award
• What your plans are for the next 2-3 years if you don’t get the award? How will getting the award change/affect your career plans?

Part 3 – Research Plan

Your research plan should be no more than 5 pages (references are not included in page count) in length and follow the standard NIH format:

• Abstract
• Specific Aims
• Background and Significance
• Preliminary Data
• Research Design and Methods

Additionally, appendices are not allowed in the research plan.

Part 4 – Biosketch & Other Support

You need to include your NIH Biosketch which should follow the most recent NIH format, as well as your Other Support form. Please look at the templates below (click on the links) if you are unfamiliar with these documents and how to prepare them.

NIH Biosketch Template
NIH Biosketch Sample
Other Support Template

In addition, you are required to upload the NIH biosketch, NIH Other Support Form, and Trainee Table for both your primary and secondary mentors.

Part 5 – Mentors

PLEASE DO NOT SELECT A MENTOR WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF THAT MENTOR.

Mentoring is a critical part of the KL2 Career Development Awards, 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 both of your proposed mentors will need to submit a letter of support (click the link for the specific details and guidelines), 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 mentors 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 (click the link for the specific details and guidelines) and are willing to dedicate the time to you and this program.  All mentors will ultimately need to be approved by the KL2 Program and the NIH, so be sure to submit your application well ahead of the deadline.

Additionally, you are required to upload for both your primary and secondary mentors their current:

NIH Biosketch,

Other Support form, and

Trainee Table

If you have questions about mentors or need help in identifying an appropriate mentor, please call us at (314) 454-8255 or email us at CRScholars@dom.wustl.edu.

Each mentor must provide a letter of support by the application deadline (September 30, 2009).  An email is automatically generated to each of your mentors with guidelines and instructions on how to upload their letter.  It is up to you to verify that your mentors have received the email.  You will be able to see which of your mentors have completed their letters and uploaded them in the online system.

Part 6 – References

You must provide names and email addresses for three references.   Each person must provide a letter of recommendation by the application deadline (September 30, 2009).  An email is automatically generated to each of your references with the reference form, guidelines, and instructions on how to upload their letter and form.  It is up to you to verify that your references have received the email.  You will be able to see which of your references have completed their letters and forms and uploaded them in the online system.

Reference letters cannot come from your proposed mentors.

Reference letters must come from the following people:

1. Your department/division chair (click here to see the specific guidelines for this letter)
2. Other
3. Other

You should let your references and mentors know that you are going to list them on your application and tell them to expect an email from the KL2 program (CRScholars@dom.wustl.edu).

Please note that in order for reference and mentor letters to be considered complete and properly submitted, they MUST:

• be uploaded by the reference or mentor – NOT the applicant
• include the reference or mentor’s signature
• be submitted on the reference or mentor’s letterhead

You and your references are able to reupload documents should you or they wish to make changes.  Note that without exception the last document uploaded will be the document reviewed.  It is very important that your references understand that their letters must include a signature and be on official letterhead.  Also, they need to remember that they were provided with a link unique to each applicant which must NOT be used for other applicants for whom they may be writing a letter of reference.

Failure to upload all required documents and letters (complete and in the proper format) will result in your application not being reviewed.  Missing EVEN ONE (1) item by the deadline will result in your application NOT being reviewed.  It is up to you to monitor the upload status of ALL required documents.

ALL application materials MUST be submitted online.

If you have additional questions regarding the application process, please call us at
(314) 454-8255 or (314) 454-8224, or email us at CRScholars@dom.wustl.edu.

• July 2009-September 30, 2009 – Applications Accepted
• September 30, 2009 5:00 pm (CST) – Due date for submission of complete application materials
• October-December 2009– Internal review and approval
• late-December, 2009– Initial decision announcement (pending NIH approval)
• February/March 2010– Final review and approval (NIH)
• June 2010 - Mandatory Scholar Orientation and Career Development Retreat
• July 1, 2010– 2010 Scholar start date
• Mid-August 2010 - Required attendance at CRTC Scholar Seminar begins (Tuesdays 1:00 - 3:15 pm)