Appointments are for one year. Continuation in the K12 Career Development Program is determined yearly based upon satisfactory research progress, professional effort, academic grades, and attendance and participation in CRTC events.
Professional effort
K12 Scholars must devote at least 75% of their full-time effort to the training and clinical research activities of the K12 Program.
Scholars’ remaining effort may be devoted to other clinical or academic pursuits consistent with the award.
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NIH policy requires that the remainder of a scholar’s salary (the portion NOT paid by the K12 program) must come from non-federal sources.
Mentorship
Developing a successful clinical and translational research career requires strong relationships with mentors and a research team. Each scholar must have program-approved primary and secondary mentors. The primary mentor will be the scholar’s main source of research supervision and career development.
Didactic coursework and Responsible Conduct of Research
Three areas of expertise will be required of all scholars. First, “Addictions and Addictive Behaviors” (3 credit hours) provides an overview of the principles, processes, and mechanisms of addiction. A second area is “Grantsmanship” (2 credit hours). The third required area is the responsible conduct of research.
Beyond these requirements, scholars have wide latitude to select additional coursework tailored to meet their individual career development needs and interests. The goal of these courses is to provide an educational base upon which scholars will be able to successfully develop their research careers.
K12 scholars are required to complete at a minimum 8 hours of training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) at least every 4 years or at a change in academic position.
Two options are available to meet the required RCR training:
- Course: Ethical & Legal Issues in Clinical Research
Sponsored by the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation Program - Seminar: Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Sponsored by the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences
Individual development plans
K12 Scholars must establish an Individual Development Plan in consultation with their mentors and advisory committee. This plan must be submitted annually.
All Individual Development Plans should include:
- Individual development goals for the next 1-5 years
- Career objectives for each goal – For each objective, the scholar should indicate what individual products (degrees, publications, presentations, grants, etc.) are expected
- Research activities and projects that will assist the scholar in meeting the objectives
- An overview of the courses, workshops and other educational/training activities that the Scholar plans to pursue
- A timeline should also be constructed to display the individual objectives, educational activities, research activities, and products
Research Training Symposium & Poster Session
The Washington University School of Medicine hosts the Research Training Symposium and Poster Session annually in October. All K12 Scholars are required to submit an abstract and either present a poster or act as a discussant each year of their appointments. Scholars are given the option to have their research considered for an oral presentation.
IRB approvals
Scholars are required to provide to the Program current IRB approvals for their research project(s).
Grant citations
K12 scholars are to acknowledge the receipt of K12 grant support in all publications, Biosketches, and Other Support documents. Each program has unique requirements for citing grants.
Learn more about grant citation requirements »
Research progress
Scholars are to keep the Program informed of their individual progress including published manuscripts, abstracts, submitted grant applications and awards in a timely manner. Additionally, at least once each year, all Scholars are required to provide a progress report detailing their research-in-progress.
Research funds
Scholars are required to submit a budget to the K12 Research Navigator when they begin their program appointment and for each subsequent year of the program if they are reappointed. This budget must outline projected expenses to be covered by research funds. Budget revisions and expense reports are required as incurred. All scholars are expected to follow the financial policies of the Program. Failure to follow Program policies may result in denial of reimbursement or purchase requests.
ICTS Research Design & Biostatistics Group (RDBG) Research Plan
Scholars are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the RDBG and their mentors to discuss their research plan and specific needs, if needed. The purpose of the RDBG is to provide Scholars with guidance on data management and statistical analysis.
National meetings and conferences
K12 Scholars are required to attend one national scientific meeting per year, selected in collaboration with their mentors.
Program evaluations
Scholars are expected to complete required program evaluations twice per year. These evaluations are administered online and are mandatory for all scholars.