C. KENNETH AND DIANNE WRIGHT CENTER
FOR CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

Office of Research and Innovation

TIMELINE AND APPLICATION PROCESS

Eligibility Requirements

For general inquiries about eligibility requirements, please contact:

The last round of scholars was chosen in the summer of 2021. The Wright Center expects to choose another cohort of scholars in 2024.  To view the complete RFA please reference the document at this link.

Timeline

Funding Announcement August 5, 2024
Webinar August 15, 2024 at 12:00 PM Registration Required
LOI Due September 3, 2024
Completed K12 Applications October 11, 2024
Applications reviewed and scored October 14-25, 2024 
Finalists invited for presentations and interviews Early November 2024
Award announcement Early December 2024
Award start date January 2025 

 

Application Process

1. Establish Mentor Relationship

The K12 Program is a mentored career development award. An established primary mentoring relationship is a requirement for applying to K12. Preference is given to candidates with a well-established mentor-mentee relationship. Please note: your primary mentor must have a clear record of mentorship and NIH funding.

As a mentor-mentee team, please work to identify appropriate co-mentors (preferably a clinician-scientist and a Ph.D.-scientist) in other disciplines who bring additional and complementary expertise to your research proposal and career. Preference will be given to mentorship teams with both clinical-scientists and Ph.D.-scientists.

2. Submit a letter of intent to apply

The Wright Center encourages candidates interested in applying for the K12 to submit a letter of intent.  Letters of intent are due September 3rd at NOON via this REDCap link and will ask you to address the following: 

  • Provide a short description of the research you will conduct as a K12 scholar or upload a well-developed rough draft of your specific aims
  • Describe the Mentor-Mentee relationship (person, length of time working together, other mentors, plans for independence)
  • Describe why participation in this career development program will help you to become a successful independent investigator.
  • Upload the most recent copy of your CV
  • List of all past, current, and pending research funding

3. Submit the Wright Center K12 application form and required documentation

The required Full Application must be submitted through REDCap through the invited link that will be sent to the top-scored LOIs. All applications must be completed fully on REDCap by 12:00 PM on October 11th. No late applications will be accepted. All attachments must be in PDF Format.

The application requires the following information:

  • Personal Information (ERA commons username, ORCID)
  • Current University Employment Information
  • Project Title and Abstract (250 words)
  • Personal Statement (One Page Maximum) – A statement of your background and professional development goals that address the following:
    • Why are you well-suited to be a K scholar? Include relevant factors such as a) summary of your career path to date including your training (clinical or research)
    • Previous research experience/accomplishments
    • Current work and research interests
    • Potential to develop into an independent investigator
  • Career Development Plan (Two Pages Maximum) – The Career Development Plan should address the following:
    • Outline of 5-year goals. Please include a timeline (figure or table)
    • Identify the gaps in your training that you intend to fill in this program
    • How will this program and your proposed mentor(s) will help fill those gaps?
    • How will you meet the NIH requirements for training in responsible conduct of research? (see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-22-055.html for more information).
  • Research Proposal (Seven Pages Maximum) – The Research Proposal should include the following:
    • Specific Aims (One Page Maximum)
    • Significance, Innovation, Approach (6 Page Max)
      • Significance of the problem. State how the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge and/or change the field of study; what will be the (short- or long-term) impact of the research on human health; what will be the long-term impact of the proposed research on health inequities.
      • Innovation by explaining how the proposed project challenges current practice or creates a novel approach to the problem.
      • Approach by describing the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project, noting in particular how it is clinical and/or translational. Discuss potential problems, and alternative strategies, and include a list of milestones/benchmarks for success anticipated to achieve the aims. For materials and methods, highlight powerful non-routine approaches, summarize routine approaches, and address statistical approaches.
      • Must include a statement on inclusion of NIH Rigor and Reproducibility Guidelines,
      • A timeline for your proposed work within the 2-year funding period (table or figure)
      • References to Scientific Literature (Not Included in Page Limits)
  • NIH Formatted Biosketch - NIH – Biosketch Template https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm
  • CV – Include Funding History
  • Reference Letter from an individual (previous mentor or other professional associate, but not your proposal primary mentor) who can speak to your research/scientific qualifications.
  • Letter of support from your proposed primary mentor. The Letters should acknowledge awareness and support of the project and address the role and qualifications of the mentor for the project.
  • Primary mentor Biosketch
  • Letter of support from your department chair including a statement agreeing to provide 75% protected time for the duration of the award period.

4. Review and Selection Process

The K12 program review process involves a thorough evaluation by the K12 Internal Advisory Committee, composed of faculty from across VCU and regional partners with diverse specialties. Each Letter of Intent (LOI) is reviewed and scored by this committee, and the top 10 LOIs are invited to submit a full application. From these applications, the top 6 applicants are selected for interviews. After the interview process, 3 candidates are chosen and the appointment and funding commence in January 2025.