The Clinical Researcher Academy (VPN required) is a career development initiative for clinical investigators who are interested in applying for their own early career awards. 

Under the leadership of Heidi Jacobe, M.D., M.S.C.S., Associate Dean for Clinical Research Development, the Academy includes offerings tailored to guide faculty and trainees in developing the skills necessary to obtain funding. 

The Clinical Researcher Catalyst (CRC) track is open to individuals who are looking to apply for a K-award (or equivalent), and the K to Research Independence Program welcomes those who have a K-award and are looking to write an R01.

Learn more during a networking event Oct. 5 at the A.W. Harris Faculty Club, E4.400-South Campus. Register to attend.

Training Library Created to Support NIH Grant Writing

UT Southwestern researchers have free access to a high-quality grant writing library designed to assist in the process of securing National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.

The series of self-paced training courses was developed by Meg Bouvier, Ph.D., and provide step-by-step instruction on how to write a successful NIH submission. Courses include F, T, K, R, and U mechanisms. Researchers who have used these resources have been very pleased.

“I have been using the Meg Bouvier materials to write my current K01 proposal. I have found the materials to be very helpful. There is guidance specifically for K awards. The videos are concise and provide a nice outline of how to structure each section – and she shows examples of funded versus not funded proposals.” – Alaina Beauchamp, Ph.D., MPH, Postdoctoral Researcher, O’Donnell School of Public Health

“I watched the K grant writing series as I wrote each section of my K23 application. The examples – both good and bad – allowed me to see how my work aligned with prior successful or unsuccessful applications. Overall, the library was an excellent resource for me and resulted in a successful first K application submission.” – Emily Adhikari, M.D., Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Contact the CTSA Program to request free access. 

Upcoming Live Training to Help You Master the R and K Series

Two live training events designed for those preparing to write a K or R grants will be happening in October. The trainings are free for library members, and you can register with your UT Southwestern email address.

• R Series: Oct. 25 at 11 a.m.
• K Series: Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. and Oct. 26 at 11 a.m.

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) issued a request for applications for a Clinical Investigator Award (CIA).

The award provides protected time (33%-50% effort) for midcareer clinician-scientists (Associate Professors within five years of promotion to that rank) with specialty training relevant to the delivery of cancer care, including therapeutic intervention, early detection, and prevention. The goal is to allow them to devote more time to augment their capabilities in clinical cancer research, particularly investigator initiated clinical trials, and to provide mentoring to junior investigators in the conduct of clinical research.

CPRIT will accept up to two applications per institution. Interested UT Southwestern faculty must submit a letter of intent in InfoReady by Oct. 16.

An internal selection committee led by Carlos Arteaga, M.D., Director of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, will review the proposals and notify the two clinical investigators selected to represent our institution by Oct. 31. Full applications are due on Jan. 16, 2024.

Direct any scientific questions to David Gerber, M.D., and send application-related questions to grants specialist Katie Nunez.

UT Southwestern will nominate up to two candidates to the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM), a yearlong fellowship aimed at expanding the national pool of highly qualified women for executive leadership positions in academic medicine.

Faculty who wish to be considered should approach their Chairs and Center Directors. They will submit their nominations to Helen Yin, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Women’s Careers, by Sept. 29. Learn more about the program and meet UTSW’s ELAM alumnae.

Clinical and Translational Science Forum*

This interactive forum provides an opportunity for trainees to meet with established investigators in clinical and translational research to share their ideas and experiences.

• Sept. 21: Emily Levy Kamugisha, M.D., presents Patient-Informed Contraception Education for Gender Diverse Patients. Register to attend.

• Sept. 28: Matthew Campbell, M.D., presents Enlisting the Immune System to Combat Relapsed Cancer in Children. Register to attend.

• Oct. 5: Lakshmi Raman, M.D., presents Neurological Injuries on ECMO – the Brain Conundrum. Register to attend.

Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Quarterly Virtual Seminar*

Lori E. Dodd, Ph.D., Biostatistician and Section Chief at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, presents Platform Trials After the COVID-19 Experience.

• Sept. 22. Register to attend.

Didactic Sessions*

Monthly sessions on successful project development and the grant application process are part of the

Clinical Researcher Catalyst, a career development program for clinical researchers.

• Sept. 26: Techniques and Tips for Writing Every Day. Register to attend.

• Oct. 10: How to Overcome Implicit Bias in Research. Register to attend.

Clinical Informatics Fellowship

This two-year fellowship is designed for physicians who want to become leaders in the development

and implementation of clinical information systems that support patient care, research, and quality

improvement.

• Apply by Oct. 1. For more information, contact Christoph Lehmann, M.D.

Call for Abstracts: One Health Collaborative Symposium Poster Session*

The CTSA Preclinical Drug Development Core is requesting abstracts for this year’s One Health Collaborative Symposium poster session – Leveraging Translational Research with One Health: Connecting Humans, Animals, and the Environment.

• Submissions are due Oct. 2.

Successfully Earning a K (SEAK) Grant Writing Workshop*

SEAK weekly workshops will keep you accountable as you write sections of your grant application for review at each session, turn in a completed grant at the conclusion of the program, and take part in a mock study section as part of the process. 

• Apply by Oct. 23.

*Sponsored by the UT Southwestern CTSA Program