How to Apply

On-Line Application (requires UNID) and go to Intramural Funding Section:

Application Structure

Qualified individuals interested in applying to the Utah WRHR Program must first complete a structured on-line application consisting of the following:

1. A cover letter describing the applicant’s career goals and how participation in the Utah WRHR Program would facilitate achievement of those goals,

2. A two-page Career Development Proposal that would include:

• a description of the proposed progression from prior research and training experiences to the experiences that will occur during the career award period and then to independent investigator status,
• justification for the need for further career development to become an independent investigator,
• milestones by which career development can be assessed.  These should be at a minimum twice-yearly and should generally be developed in conjunction with the proposed mentors.

3.  A five-page research proposal that would include:

• objectives, rationale and background,
• methods,
• the specific impact of the project on women’s health,
• the interdisciplinary aspects of the proposal,
• a timeline (within the anticipated two years of the award), and,
• any appropriate references.

4. Current biosketches for the candidate and proposed mentorship team,

5. Letters of reference from proposed mentors. The letters of reference should address the candidate’s:

• research experience and proficiency,
• educational and training background,
• clinical skill set (if applicable), and,
• potential for extramural funding.

6. A letter of support from their (prospective) Division Head confirming the candidate’s eligibility (see previous section) and statement of assurance of protected time.

In-Person Interviews

Qualified applicants will also be evaluated by an in-person interview that would include:

• the Utah WRHR Program Principal Investigator (Dr. Peterson),
• the Utah WRHR Program Research Director (Dr. Varner),
• the Mentorship Supervisor / Advisory Committee Chair (Dr. Byington), and,
• relevant members of the Advisory Committee and/or Mentorship Faculty.

External candidates would also be required to have been approved for, and accepted, a junior faculty position within the University of Utah Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

All interviewing faculty will be required to submit a summary evaluation of each candidate that would include the following criteria:

• Eligibility according to the NIH WRHR Program criteria,
• The candidate’s track record (prior training, areas of expertise, publications, and funding),
• The relevance of the candidate’s proposed research to women’s reproductive health and its potential clinical importance, feasibility, and potential value to the field including the likelihood that the proposed area of interest could lead to external research funding within 3-5 years.
• The candidate’s communication skills, and,
• The candidate’s professional goals, the fit of those goals with the Utah WRHR Program, and the likelihood of those goals being achieved.

Advisory Committee Review and Recommendations

These collective evaluations will be submitted to the Advisory Committee for review and prioritization. The following criteria will considered by the Advisory Committee when reviewing Utah WRHR Program applications:

1. Eligibility according to the NIH WRHR Program Criteria.

2. The applicant’s track record, including:

• prior training,
• areas of expertise,
• publications, and,
• funding.

3. Strength of the applicant’s career development and research plans.

4. The applicant’s communication skills.

5. The track record of the primary mentor and the mentorship team in:

• supporting junior faculty members, and,
• research productivity.

6. The letters of recommendation.

7. The relevance of the candidate’s proposed research to women’s reproductive health and its potential clinical importance, feasibility, and potential value to the field including the likelihood that the proposed area of interest could lead to external research funding within 3-5 years.

The Advisory Committee will rank the applicants, with the top applicant(s) being invited to become a Utah WRHR Program Scholar. If there is no consensus, the top 2-3 candidates will present their proposals to an ad hoc meeting of the Advisory Committee, after which a final ranking will be constructed based on the input of all Committee members in attendance.