Career Development Programs

Below, you'll find more information about our programs for:

Faculty     Trainees     Students     Staff

For faculty members 

These training programs are designed to support junior investigators as they build independent research careers. 

Pre-K Discovery Scholars Program

The Pre-K Discovery Scholars Program is available to underrepresented in Medicine (URM) Assistant Professors (in rank ≤ 4 years), conducting clinical or translational research. It provides $50,000 research funds, $2,000 travel funds over 2 years, and requires a primary mentor and biostatistician faculty mentoring team. 

KL2 Scholars Career Development Program 

The KL2 Scholars Career Development Program is available to Assistant Professors (in rank ≤ 6 years), conducting clinical or translational research. The program provides 75% salary support (up to $100,000 inclusive of fringe), $25,000 in research funds, and $1,000 travel funds a year, for 3 years. It requires a primary, secondary and biostatistician faculty mentoring team. It includes weekly multidisciplinary seminars with BIRCWH (Women's Health K12) and CHRCDA (Child Health K12) programs. 

K to R01 Transition to Independence Program 

The K to R01 Transition to Independence Program is available to Assistant Professors (in rank ≤ 7 years), conducting clinical or translation research. It provides $50,000 research funds over 2 years and requires a primary mentor and biostatistician mentoring team. Up to five proposals will be awarded each year. Applicants must have active K award (KL2, BIRCWH, K12, CHRCDA K12, Independent K award (K23, K07,etc) for ≤ 4 years at the time of application. The K award must be active at the time of application.

For pre- and post-doctoral trainees 

Translational Research Development Program

The Translational Research Development Program (TRDP) is available to postdoctoral and predoctoral trainees. The program aims to provide an opportunity for early stage investigators to gain significant experience with clinical and translational research, and provides research funds up to $16,000 available over two years. 

For students

Advanced Pathways to Research Program

The Advanced Pathways to Research Program (A-PReP), formerly known as the Advanced Research Program (ARP), is designed for current doctoral-level professional health sciences students with an interest in clinical or translational research. The program provides training through a structured core curriculum, mentored research projects, weekly seminars, and a final presentation of research at the annual CTSI Poster Session with all CTSI-Ed scholars. 

Pathways to Research Program

The Pathways to Research Program (PReP), formerly Undergraduate Research Program, provides undergraduate students with knowledge, skills, and experience in translational science and health equity research through a structured core curriculum including a mentored research project, weekly research seminars, small group discussions, and a final poster to present research findings at the annual University of Minnesota CTSI Poster Session. 

For research staff

Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) Orientation program

The Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) Orientation program trains coordinators who support primary investigators and teams that conduct research with human subjects. The comprehensive online training program helps ensure quality research practices, while creating a career development pathway for CRCs. 

Clinical Research Professional Development Seminar Series

The Clinical Research Professional Development Seminar Series is a bi-weekly seminar series for clinical research professionals at the University of Minnesota. Attendees learn about current regulations, best practices, resources, and guidelines pertaining to clinical research at the University, and can network with others.