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| Robert & Sylvia Mapel Research Innovation Awardees |
| Congratulations to Krzysztof Palczewski, PhD (Professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences), and Eleonora Risaliti (Graduate student researcher, Physiology & Biophysics), this year’s Robert & Sylvia Mapel Research Innovation awardees, with their research project, “Prime Editing VEGF-A: A Durable Genomic Therapy for Neovascular AMD”!
This funding opportunity supports groundbreaking research of a PhD mentor and PhD student team in the areas of biomedical and translational sciences. Research that seeks to establish new paradigms, develop innovative new technology and/or methodology, remove roadblocks that restrict progress in a field, or answer intractable problems, is given priority. This program is intended to develop research in any biomedical area that requires preliminary data necessary to compete for extramural funding, NIH funding in particular. | |
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| Highlighting UC Irvine’s Shared Core Facilities for Researchers — Biostatistics Shared Resource and UC Irvine Center for Statistical Consulting |
| Join this webinar to learn about these two shared core facilities: The Biostatistics Shared Resource and the UC Irvine Center for Statistical Consulting.
The Biostatistics Shared Resource (BSR) at the UC Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center provides expert statistical support for cancer research across basic, translational and clinical studies. It ensures studies are rigorously designed, analyzed, interpreted and reported to high scientific standards. Speaker: Min Zhang, MD, PhD, Director of Biostatistics Shared Resource, UC Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
The UC Irvine Center for Statistical Consulting provides comprehensive statistical support and collaboration to researchers and the broader community. It assists with study design, data analysis, interpretation and effective communication of results. Its mission is to advance high-quality, data-driven research across disciplines. Speaker: Joni Ricks-Oddie, MPH, PhD, Director of the UC Irvine Center for Statistical Consulting
Wednesday, May 20, Noon to 1 p.m.
Via Zoom | |
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| Sponsored Projects: Award Lifecycle, Effort Commitment, Clinical Trials, and the Evolving Federal Funding Landscape | Physician Scientist Collective 2025-26 Distinguished Speaker Series |
| Representatives from UC Irvine's Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) office, led by Senior Director Jeff Warner, will present on committing effort to research projects, including requirements for specific funding opportunities. The session will also cover the full lifecycle of an extramurally sponsored award at UC Irvine, recent developments in the federal research funding landscape and their potential impact on the award lifecycle, and an overview of UC Irvine's extramural funding portfolio. A portion of the presentation will provide an overview of clinical research and trials at UC Irvine, highlighting the role of Sponsored Projects in supporting Principal Investigators conducting these activities.
Speakers: Jeff Warner, Senior Director; Tam Tran, Director, Clinical Research; Shabana Durrani, Principal Contract Lead – Clinical Trials; and Garrett Larsen, Principal Contract Lead – Clinical Trials
Friday, May 29, Noon to 1 p.m. PT
Via Zoom | |
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| 2026 Core Facilities Survey |
| | UC Irvine School of Medicine and the UC Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center are partnering on a survey regarding core research facilities in the School of Medicine. Your answers are helpful and important; all responses will be factored in to optimize our research support structure. After answering a few basic questions, you will only be asked questions pertaining to the facilities and services used by you and the researchers under your supervision. This survey is anonymous. For questions, contact Alondra Garcia. Please complete the survey by May 29, 2026. | |
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| OnCore Utilization Policy |
| UC Irvine School of Medicine requires all clinical research teams to use OnCore, the university's official clinical trial management system, to record and track study activities. This ensures that research using UCI Health facilities, services, or staff is accurately documented — supporting billing compliance, patient safety and institutional planning. Study teams are responsible for keeping records up to date within 24 hours of any changes, helping UCI maintain transparency and accountability across its clinical research programs. For more details, please read the full policy.
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| The School of Medicine Research Development Unit is hosting a virtual workshop designed for trainees interested in applying for NIH fellowship funding opportunities, specifically the Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Individual Predoctoral (F30, F31) and Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32) awards. This session will highlight best practices for developing a competitive application, provide an overview of the application components, and offer an overview of application resources and support available through the School of Medicine. This workshop is ideal for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars considering NIH fellowship opportunities.
Tuesday, June 2, Noon to 1 p.m. PT
Via Zoom | |
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| Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series |
| Robert C. Green, MD, MPH, Professor, Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Director, Genomes2People Research Program, Harvard Medical School
- Community Lecture - June 2, 7 to 8 p.m.: "Finally! Genomics is Delivering Massive Health and Longevity Benefits”
- Scientific Lecture - June 3, Noon to 1 p.m.: "Empirical Findings on the Path to Genomic Medicine in Newborns and Adults"
Learn more about the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series.
June 2–3
Location: The Beckman Center, Irvine, Calif. (June 2); UCI Medical Center, Building 54, Podlich Family Conference Center, Orange, Calif. (June 3) | |
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| Highlighting UC Irvine’s Shared Core Facilities for Researchers — The Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center and the Transgenic Mouse Facility |
| Join this webinar to learn about these two shared core facilities: The Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center and the UC Irvine Transgenic Mouse Facility (TMF)
The Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center is a leading interdisciplinary hub advancing stem cell science and regenerative medicine. The center brings together experts from medicine, biological sciences, engineering, pharmacy, public health and the arts to drive innovation. Speaker: Allia Fawaz, Microscopy/Imaging Core Manager
The UC Irvine Transgenic Mouse Facility (TMF) provides expert services for sourcing, designing, generating, analyzing and preserving genetically modified mice. It supports the development of cutting-edge genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) for cancer, immunology, neuroscience and biomedical research. Speaker: Grant MacGregor, PhD, Scientific Director, UC Irvine Transgenic Mouse Facility
Wednesday, June 10, Noon to 1 p.m.
Via Zoom | |
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| Accepting Applications for the School of Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) |
| The Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) is a two-year structured program providing physician-scientists with intensive mentorship and opportunities to apply for their first independent, federally funded awards (K08, K23) or other equivalent external career development awards. Learn more about the PSTP program and application requirements.
Deadline: Friday, June 12, 2026 | | Back to top | | | |
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| Tessa Chou (PhD student, Marsden Lab, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics) received an NIH F31 titled, “Improving the ‘kick’ in HIV ‘kick and kill’ cure approaches.” Persistent latent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major barrier to developing a scalable, safe cure for the infection. This project will improve the “kick and kill” cure approach — in which latent HIV is reactivated, enabling the immune system to recognize and kill an infected cell — by identifying new compounds with improved tolerability that can completely reactivate all latently infected cells and deplete the HIV reservoir. Our studies address an unmet need for compounds that accomplish these requirements while expanding our understanding of host pathways that govern HIV latency maintenance.
Do you or someone on your team have research-related good news to report (e.g., research funding/award, publication, other accolade)? We would like to know! Please fill out this short Good News submission form.
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| Find funding opportunities for trainees, postdocs and early career faculty, and all faculty. For more funding opportunities and resources to help in your funding search, visit the Funding Opportunities page.
The Research Development Unit (RDU) has created lists of intramural funding opportunities and foundation funding opportunities. If you have additional opportunities that should be included, contact the RDU.
Considering applying for a Limited Funding Opportunity? Typically, you submit a pre-proposal to the Office of Research via UCI Review. If the opportunity is not listed, contact the RDU.
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| | Postdocs & Early Career Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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MAXIMUS T32 Training Program
Deadline: May 29, 2026 | |
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| Limited: Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation Grant Program |
| The foundation’s mission is to support early-stage investigators engaged in basic and translational research that has the potential to significantly advance biomedical science. Applicants should be in their first to fourth year of a tenure-track faculty position as of July 1, 2026, and not have current R01 funding. Grants are usually $75,000/year for three years. Previous UC Irvine awardees include Maxim Plikus and Cholsoon Jang.
The campus may submit no more than one proposal. Interested applicants are asked to submit a preliminary application to the Office of Research via UCI Review.
Deadline: June 1, 2026
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| | All Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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Limited: Harold S. Geneen Charitable Trust Awards Program for Coronary Heart Disease
The Harold S. Geneen Charitable Trust Awards Program for Coronary Heart Disease Research supports research into the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease or circulatory failure. The program focuses on basic and translational scientific research. Clinical studies are ineligible. In 2025, Cholsoon Jang’s project, “Defining the role of circulating bile acids in coronary heart disease,” was funded.
UC Irvine is one of only 14 institutions invited to participate in this program; three grants of $250,000/2 years (inclusive of 10% indirect costs) will be awarded. All full-time faculty with combined federal and non-federal funding totaling $500,000 or less are eligible; junior faculty are encouraged to apply.
UC Irvine may nominate only one candidate; therefore, interested applicants are asked to submit a preliminary application to the Office of Research via UCI Review.
Deadline: June 8, 2026
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| Limited: The G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Foundation |
| The mission of The G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Foundation is to advance knowledge in the life sciences by sponsoring scientific research that will benefit mankind. Basic scientific research with potential translational applications is central to this goal and fundamental to their operating principles. The Mathers Foundation welcomes research in immunology, structural biology, cancer biology, microbiome, genetics, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, neuroscience, and microbiology & infectious diseases.
The total funding for this award is $600,000-$700,000 over three years, including 10% indirect costs.
UC Irvine may submit only three applications for this award opportunity; therefore, interested applicants are asked to submit a preliminary application to the Office of Research via UCI Review.
Deadline: June 8, 2026
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| ARPA-H Funding Opportunities |
| The Intelligent Generator of Research (IGoR) program aims to empower scientists to eliminate long-standing inefficiencies and accelerate biomedical breakthroughs through a more nimble, reliable and interoperable research ecosystem for the 21st century. Solution Summary Deadline: June 25, 2026
The HEARING (Hearing Enhancement through ARtificially Intelligent NeurotechnoloGy) program will advance three technical areas: intracortical device(s), dynamic sound modulation and auditory read & write algorithms. Proposers’ Day: June 8, 2026. Register by June 3 for in-person attendance (Washington, D.C.); virtual registration closes June 5. Solution Summary Deadline: June 29, 2026
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| | | Upcoming Seminars & Events |
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| Department of Biological Chemistry Research in Progress Seminars |
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Victoria Shen
Graduate Student
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Joey Wong
Graduate Student | |
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Molecular Signatures of TDP-43 Dysregulation in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, by
Joey Wong, MSTP Graduate Student, Leslie M. Thompson, PhD, Lab, and Vivek Swarup, PhD, Lab, Department of Biological Chemistry
Wednesday, May 20, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall
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| Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries Monthly Seminar Series |
| Investigating the Moderators of the Stress Response: From Molecular Discovery To Translational Impact, by Elisabeth Binder, MD, PhD, Director, Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry. Hosted by the UC Irvine Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries.
Wednesday, May 20, 10 to 11 a.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Thorp Conference Center (4001, Gross Hall), and Via Zoom | |
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| VWR Spring Life Science Vendor Fair |
| Join the VWR Vendor Show — an interactive showcase featuring over 10+ of our most trusted supplier partners — at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. Connect directly with leading brands including Cytiva, Abcam, Molecular Devices, Leica and many more. Discover the latest innovations, explore exclusive promotions, and enjoy giveaways, all while engaging with experts who help power scientific discovery. As your dedicated research partner, VWR provides access to top-tier technologies, on-campus support, and UCI-specialized pricing to accelerate your science with confidence. Brunch included.
Wednesday, May 20, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Hewitt Hall & Gross Hall Courtyard
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| Stata: Introduction to Psychometrics |
| This free noontime workshop (75 minutes) provides an overview of Stata's extensive features for traditional and modern psychometrics. Topics include reliability, Cohen's kappa statistic, canonical correlation, Cronbach's alpha, exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analysis, factor rotations, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), contrasts and pairwise comparisons, structural equation modeling (SEM), item response theory (IRT), and latent class analysis (LCA). Instructor: Chuck Huber, PhD
Wednesday, May 20, Noon to 1:15 p.m. PT
Via Zoom
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| Adeline Yen Mah Vaccine Center Seminar Series |
| Towards Development of Alzheimer’s Vaccines: The Alzheimer’s Vaccine Initiative, by Wayne Koff, PhD, Managing Partner, Next Frontier Advisors (NFA)
Thursday, May 21, 8:45 to 9:45 a.m.
Location: Hybrid event at the Sue Gross Auditorium, 856 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA 92697, and Via Zoom
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| Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar |
| Alternative Splicing of Pre-mRNA and RNA Antisense Oligonucleotides, by Harika Pulipelli, Graduate Student, Hertel Lab, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Thursday, May 21, 9 a.m.
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House, Room 166, and Via Zoom
Contact Katrina Pagadayunan to join via Zoom. | |
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| Adeline Yen Mah Vaccine Center Seminar Series |
| Next-Generation RNA Vaccines & Therapies, by Anna Blakney, PhD, Assistant Professor, Tier 2 Canada Research Chair, Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of British Columbia
Friday, May 22, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Location: Hybrid event at the Sue Gross Auditorium, 856 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA 92697, and Via Zoom
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| UCI SKIN: A Skin Biology Resource Center Distinguished Speaker Series |
| When Skin Fails to Heal: Molecular Control of Human Skin Repair, by Marjana Tomic-Canic, PhD, Professor, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami. Hosted by the UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.
Friday, May 22, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Hybrid event at Thorp Conference Center, 4001 Gross Hall, and Via Zoom | |
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| Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology Dissertation Defense |
| Against the Current: Investigating Stem Cell Heterogeneity Using Dielectrophoresis, by Jazmine S. Moore, Graduate Student, Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, UC Irvine School of Medicine
PhD Advisor: Tayloria N.G. Adams, PhD, Associate Professor
Friday, May 22, Noon to 1 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Palmer Family Research and Conference Room, 2nd Floor 2608, and Via Zoom | Meeting ID: 962 9978 2820 | |
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| Muscle Biology & Disease Research Center Monthly Seminar Series |
| Considerations for Gene Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders, by Asuka Eguchi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, UC Irvine School of Medicine. Hosted by the UC Irvine Muscle Biology & Disease Research Center.
Tuesday, May 26, 4 p.m.
Location: Thorp Conference Room, Gross Hall, 4th Floor, and Via Zoom
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| Experimental Pathology Research in Progress |
| Understanding How Female Sex Hormone Signaling Shapes Naive CD4+ T Cell Glycosylation Patterns and Function, by Luna Witchey, Graduate Student, Haik Mkhikian Lab, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Monday, June 1, 11 a.m. to Noon PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 955 3602 9351 | Passcode: 998046
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| Stata: Introduction to Survey Statistics |
| This free noontime workshop (75 minutes) will review the concepts of probability and nonprobability sampling, sampling with and without replacement, and introduce the finite population correction factor. We introduce the major sampling designs, how to calculate sample weights, and how to use Stata's "svyset" command to prepare data for analyses that account for the sampling design. We will then demonstrate how to analyze data with these characteristics. Instructor: Chuck Huber, PhD
Wednesday, June 3, Noon to 1:15 p.m. PT
Via Zoom
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| Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) - BTO Innovation Opportunity Fair |
| This event for is for prospective proposers. The BTO Innovation Opportunity Fair’s aim is to familiarize participants with BTO’s mission and interest areas, facilitate discussions with potential proposers, increase efficiency of proposal preparation and evaluation, and foster new performer networking opportunities. The registration deadline is May 28 at 2 p.m. PT. Space is limited.
Friday, June 5, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. PT
Location: In-person at Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center, 7901 Tysons One Place, Tysons, VA 22102, and a virtual option via ZoomGov | |
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| Energizing Discovery: Advancing Translational Research in Depression |
| Join the newly formed UC Irvine Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries Depression Institute for their first formal launch event! We are excited to welcome campus faculty, researchers, trainees, community partners and distinguished guests for a day of scientific exchange and celebration. This event will feature updates on the progress of the new Depression Institute at UCI, a keynote speech by Conor Liston, MD, PhD, professor at Cornell University, UCI faculty presentations to highlight emerging work in depression research, and a networking hour to foster collaboration.
Tuesday, June 9, 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Beckman Center of the National Academies of Science & Engineering, 100 Academy Way, Irvine, CA 92617
Breakfast & Lunch Provided | |
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| Center for Neural Circuit Mapping Seminar |
| Imaging the Brain at High Spatiotemporal Resolution, by Na Ji, PhD, Professor, Departments of Neuroscience and Physics, UC Berkeley
Tuesday, June 9, 10 to 11 a.m.
Location: Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, Room 2200 | |
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| Physiology & Biophysics Seminar Series |
| Programming Macrophages with Synthetic Biology, by Barbara Jusiak, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, UC Irvine School of Medicine Wednesday, June 10, 4 to 5 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and Via Zoom
Contact Claire Chen to join via Zoom.
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| Grand Rounds and CME Symposia |
| | For Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities, view the weekly Grand Rounds & CME Symposia email. | | Back to top | | | |
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| Clinical Research Navigator |
| | The Clinical Research Navigator serves as a centralized expert resource for faculty conducting investigator-initiated clinical trials across UC Irvine School of Medicine. The Clinical Research Navigator provides resource navigation, regulatory training, audit readiness preparation, policy guidance, and operational coordination for the School’s IIT portfolio. This individual ensures study team awareness of — and operational planning for — federal regulations (FDA, OHRP), University of California policies, and institutional standards, while facilitating high-quality, efficient trial conduct. The Clinical Research Navigator works in close collaboration with Principal Investigators (PIs), Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs), and other research support services to promote compliant and streamlined trial execution. | |
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| Do you have an open research-related position you would also like announced in Research Insider? Please fill out this form to have your open position listed.
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| Selecting the Right Models for Your Research: A Focus on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) |
| NIH supports a wide range of scientifically sound approaches to advance the understanding of human health and disease. As NIH continues to encourage approaches that enhance human relevance and translational potential, investigators should still select the models most appropriate for their specific research questions. Here, NIH focuses on the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) either alone or in combination with other models, including laboratory animals.
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| Sign up for the Office of Research Listserv & Keep Updated |
| | To keep up to date with the latest updates from the Office of Research amidst all of the federal funding changes, be sure to subscribe to the CG-News listserv. You can sign up by sending a blank email to: cg-news+subscribe@uci.edu. Also, bookmark the Office of Research Impact of Federal Executive Orders and Directives on Federal Grants and Contracts. | |
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| What kind of grant support does the School of Medicine Research Development Unit provide? |
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| What kind of grant support does the RDU provide to Physician Scientists? |
| Along with the general grant support the RDU provides (outlined above), there are multiple programs available outlined on the Physician Scientist Resources page. - Physician Scientist Collective: Monthly seminar series with visiting speakers
- Physician Scientist Pathways Certificate Course: Six-week, 12-hour hybrid course that introduces clinicians to research pathways
- Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP): Helps physician scientists apply for their first K award
- Dean’s K Scholar: Provides awardees the protected time and mentorship needed to obtain NIH K/ equivalent funding
- Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP): Supports junior faculty on externally funded clinical trials through a 2-year partnership program with senior investigators already running clinical trials
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