Structured Interdisciplinary Mentored Training: ELEVATE Scholar
One of the training opportunities is for an ELEVATE Scholar. The Scholar position will be held by one person for two years at a time and will help early stage investigators develop their own innovative and successful research programs.
Research Project Addressing SUD
Each ELEVATE Scholar must successfully complete a research project addressing a topic related to SUD in pregnancy.
The research project will be an extension of the scholar’s ongoing research. In some cases it will represent a new line of research or a new focus on SUD or pregnancy.
Scholars Research Project Process
The candidate must include an initial outline of the project plan in their application. Candidates may modify their applications during the process or after funding (such as during periodic reviews of scholars’ progress). The mentor team and/or advisory committee will suggestion modifications.
Our mentor team and advisory committee will also help the scholar refine the research question(s) or hypothesis(es). They will identify data sources and other resources for the project within ELEVATE objectives and funding period.
We encourage ELEVATE Scholars to seek intramural funding to supplement ELEVATE support for their research projects.
Eligibility for Scholars Program
We aim for selected ELEVATE Scholars to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
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Have a clinical doctorate or PhD degree or its equivalent.
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Have completed any postgraduate training normally expected for a faculty appointment in their field (including clinical or postdoctoral fellowship training or residency if they have chosen not to subspecialize).
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Have no more than six years of research or research training experience beyond their last doctoral degree (timeline can be extended based on NIH criteria for extending ESI status).
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Have identified mentors with extensive research experience relevant to the scholar’s individual research and career development goals.
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Be able to spend at least nine person months (or at least six person months for surgical specialties) of full-time professional effort conducting research and research career development activities.
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Not be, or have been, a PD/PI on an R01 or subproject of a program project (P01), center (P50, P60, P23, P30, U54) grant, independent mentored career development (K-series) grants, or other equivalent research grant awards, except for an R03 or R21 award.
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Not already be in the process of applying for an independent mentored career development grant, P01 grant, or R01 grant.
NOTE: These requirements are guidelines but we reserve the right to be flexible for specific candidates.
How to Apply
Qualified Individuals Application Process
If you are qualified and interested in applying to the ELEVATE Scholar Program, you must complete an online application consisting of the following:
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A cover letter describing your career goals and how participation in the ELEVATE Program would help you achieve those goals.
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A three to five-page research proposal that would include:
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objectives,
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rationale and background, methods,
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the specific importance of SUD relating to pregnancy on the proposal, and
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interdisciplinary aspects of the proposal. (Please also submit a timeline, one to two-page career development plan and appropriate references.)
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Current bio-sketches for the candidate and proposed mentorship team.
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Letters of reference from primary mentor or mentorship team. The letters of reference should address the candidate’s research experience and proficiency, the candidate’s educational and training background, and (if applicable) their clinical skill set.
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A letter of support from their (prospective) department chair or division head that would confirm the candidate’s eligibility (see previous section) and statement of assurance of protected time.