UW K12 for Clinical Research Career Development in Benign Hematology

Program Description

The University of Washington is one of five centers nationally to receive a K12 award for benign hematology. This program supports the career development of individuals interested in patient-related research. We will provide resources (some linked to the UW Institutional K12, see http://depts.washington.edu/uwk12) so that our scholars can train in a way most optimal for their advancement. We also prioritize mentorship.

This is a grant for CLINICAL RESEARCH. However, clinical research is defined quite broadly and ranges from cost-efficacy and outcome studies to research in mice or cells that elucidates the pathogenesis of a human hematologic disease.

Applicants must have a faculty position (e.g., acting instructor) at the time that their funding initiates. The typical scholar will have just completed his/her fellowship training in hematology, medical oncology, genetics, pediatric hematology/oncology, transfusion medicine, pathology, or laboratory medicine. K12 support is generally for 2 years.

We can also support more senior individuals such as an assistant professor who would like 2 y of protected time to develop or refine credentials in clinical research (or, for example, obtain an MPH degree). We intend to use this grant creatively to maximally benefit our applicants.

Funding for each scholar is similar to other K awards and includes $75,000/y for salary and the requirement that he/she spend at minimum 75% effort on grant activities. Up to $30,000 is provided each year for supplies/technician or nursing assistance/statistical services/travel/tuition, etc. Notably, we will also provide 5% FTE (subject to the NIH salary rules) of salary and benefits support to the primary mentor and intend 5% effort. We will contribute 2% FTE of salary and benefits to the secondary mentor. The scholar and mentors will attend the annual K12 meeting in Washington D.C..

Dr. Janis Abkowitz (PI) or Dr. José López (Co-PI) are happy to speak directly to potential applicants or mentors. Dr. Abkowitz can be reached by telephone at 206-685-7877 or by e-mail at janabk@u.washington.edu, and Dr. López can be reached through his assistant at 206-398-5930 or by e-mail at josel@psbc.org.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, you must:

• Have a clinical doctorate or Ph.D. degree or its equivalent. Clinical doctorate degrees include, but are not limited to, the M.D., Dr.P.H., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., O.D., D.C., Pharm.D., N.D., and Psy.D.

• Be a US citizen or non-citizen national, or lawfully admitted for permanent residence. 

• Be able to commit 75 percent of full-time professional effort in this Career Development Program and its related research activities.

• Be at an early stage of your career. You must have a faculty position at the time the funding begins yet you should not have been in a tenure-track Assistant Professor position for more than two years.

You are ineligible if you:

• Are or have been a Principal Investigator on mentored career development grants (e.g., K-series), or have substantial independent funding (e.g., R01, P01, P50) or other equivalent research grant awards.

• Are a non citizen or on a temporary or student visa.

• Are simultaneously participating in clinical fellowships leading to board certification (note: the NIH exception for the final year of training for those short-tracking and obtaining double specialty boards will apply).

• Are an individual making a mid-career change into clinical research.

Timing of Application Process

Applications must be received by April 1, 2009.

An important component of this application is your personal interview with K12 faculty members. Interviews are conducted in April.

The selection committee will notify applicants of funding decisions by May 1st. The K12 fellowship begins July 1st, and funds will be available for 2 years.

Application Instructions

The 2009 application form is available here. Please send all materials electronically to Dr. Janis Abkowitz c/o Zeny Sisk, K12 in Benign Clinical Hematology Research Program, zsisk @u.washington.edu).

Zeny Sisk
K12 in Benign Clinical Hematology Research Program
Division of Hematology
University of Washington
1959 NE Pacific St.
Box 357710
Seattle, WA 98195