Program Details
Scholars will receive support aimed at encouraging the development of their independent research program.
Funding
Funding will be provided in the amount of ~$150K per year for each fellow. The award will be evaluated on an annual basis (typically less, but up to a maximum of 3 total years), and a budget must be submitted and approved before the start of each fiscal year.
Award – A portion of funds can be used to provide an award for the Scholar, in accord with any relevant ACGME guidelines.
Research Staff Support - Funds may be used to support a research technician. These funds can be accessed at any time, including before the Scholars enters the lab full time if a research technician could facilitate their transition to the laboratory. The funds for a technician should not exceed ~$60K/year.
Research Supplies - Funds can be requested to support research in the laboratory. The Scholars and their mentors should expect to use typical sources of funding for their post-doctoral research (most commonly the mentor’s support). These supplemental funds should only be used to support experiments that are high risk, would not otherwise be performed, offer critical preliminary data for high impact grant applications, or specifically geared towards the Scholar’s transition to independence.
Child or Family Care - Funds of up to $10K/year may be requested to reimburse for child or family care.
Engagement with Basic Science Departments
and Institutes
A major objective of the Program is enhanced integration of Scholars with the basic science departments or institutes as a means to supporting the Scholar’s development and eventual transition to independence. In ideal implementation schemes, the Scholar will be integrated into the basic science department or institute to gain training and prepare for their future as faculty members. The Scholar will be encouraged to participate in faculty meetings, research-in-progress meetings, or other activities.
Mentoring Support
Scholars will be expected to establish a mentoring committee, with assistance from the program leadership. The goal of the mentoring committee is to offer guidance that facilitates an efficient and timely transition to independence.
The Scholar will work with their primary mentor and program leadership to assemble the committee. The committee should include at least three faculty members, one of which should be a member of the Scholars in Molecular Medicine Advisory Committee.
Meeting will be expected to include the Scholar’s primary research mentor. Scholar will summarize progress and plans to the committee one week in advance of meetings. Scholars will run the committee meeting, aiming to cover the following topics: design of and progress towards research aims, grant opportunities and development of associated preliminary data, the development of long-term independent research plans, strategy for transition to independence, and integration of clinical goals with research aims. In order to ensure progress, the committee chair will prepare a brief report that will be shared with the mentor, Scholar, and the leadership of the Scholars program following the meeting.
Didactics and Training Support
Scholars will receive support aimed at encouraging the development of their independent research program.
Every other month will be dedicated to grant writing feedback. Scholars will be expected to present grant aims that are discussed by the group.
Alternating months will be research talks by Scholars or lectures focused on skills acquisition, intellectual property, mentor/mentee relationships, financial management of a laboratory, and conflict resolution.
APPLICATION TIMELINE