Up to $105,000 per year
includes up to $80,000 salary support and up to $25,000 per year for research related expenses
Senior post-doctoral PhDs, junior faculty (Instructors, Assistant Professors)
Year 1 Funding Period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
NOTE: 2nd year funding is contingent on continued NIH CTSC Grant Funding
Appointments may be up to 3 years and are based on the bi-annual evaluation of scholar progress
*KL2 Scholars are now eligible for a special limited R03*
Click Here for Application Instructions and to Initiate Notification of Intent
The goal of the CTSC KL2 Career Development Award is to increase the pool of qualified clinical and translational (C/T) researchers prepared to address the challenges of today’s complex clinical care environment by providing rigorous training and mentoring to conduct translational team research across disciplines and institutions. The program prepares scholars to develop innovative diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical interventions, and behavioral strategies that improve health, while accelerating the translation of research into effective treatments and cures.
KL2 projects require a translational or clinical research focus. Projects with a focus on translational science are particularly encouraged. Emphasis is placed on the following priority areas: precision medicine, drug discovery, targeted therapeutics, biomarkers, device development, novel technologies, pediatric health, life course studies of diseases, studies incorporating biostatistical methodologies and design, and inclusion of dissemination and implementation strategies. Pure basic science research proposals will not be funded. Pre-clinical studies should have near-term potential to translate into patient-oriented research.
What is Translational Science? Translational science is the field that generates innovations that overcome longstanding challenges along the translational research pipeline. These include scientific, operational, financial, and administrative innovations that transform the way that research is performed, making it faster, more efficient, and more impactful. Read more about the stages of translational science here.
Dissemination and Implementation Science (D&I) is a crucial component of innovating and overcoming challenges in translational science. Accordingly, we are introducing D&I frameworks and methods into the KL2 Award review, placing D&I within the overarching discussions of the proposed research question, design, methodology, and potential impact(s) of the research findings. To learn more, please refer to the CTSC Dissemination & Implementation Science Lecture Series.
KL2 Scholars pursue research training at 75% time and effort (50% minimum effort for individuals in surgical specialties). Appointments are made for 12 months (no less than 9 months), up to 3 years, based on positive biannual evaluation of scholarly progress. Scholars receive:
- Salary support at the NIH approved level
- Funding for supplies and research support
- Funding for travel to present at national conferences and symposia
- Access to support services that facilitate conducting C/T research
- Multi-institutional, cross-disciplinary mentoring
- Clinical and translational science didactic research education
- Professional skills and career development coaching
Scholars are expected to complete training within two years. Under exceptional circumstances, a third year may be requested with strong justification. These requests will undergo rigorous review and must include a revised timeline, specific aims, and research proposal endorsed by the program directors.
EDUCATIONAL AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Professional Degree Trainees
KL2 awardees with a professional degree (MD, DOs, DMD, DNP, DVM, or DPT) are required to complete the Advanced Certificate (if funded for 1 year) or the Master’s in C/T Investigation program (if funded for 2-3 years).
PhD Trainees
Awardees are encouraged to enroll in the Advanced Certificate and/or Master’s Degree in C/T Investigation. Awardees who hold doctoral-level research degrees (PhD) are required to complete a total of 10 credits during their appointment.
To complete KL2 program, the following are required:
Completion within the last four years of human subjects' protection training such as the Responsible Conduct of Research course
Completion of at least one CTSC mentoring workshop and active participation in monthly Research-in-Progress seminars.
At least one first author scientific article (in press or in suitable format for submission) to a high-quality scientific journal
At least one clinical & translational grant submission (in revision or funded during the second year of appointment) to a federal institution (e.g. K awards, RO1, R21, or other NIH funding mechanisms, AHRQ, PCORI) or other foundation/industry research funding requiring peer-review with the scholar named as Principal Investigaton
Presentation of original data in formal scientific venues:
- Abstract submission and presentation of CTSC KL2 research at the annual Translational Science National Conference
- Presentation of CTSC KL2 research at a local, national or international scientific conference
- Presentation of CTSC KL2 research at a Research-in-Progress seminar
KL2 Awardees must also agree to complete the CTSC Annual Alumni Surveys for at least 15 years after completion of the KL2 Program.
Questions? See CTSC FAQs, or email CTSC-education@med.cornell.edu
The mission of the Weill Cornell Medicine Clinical Translational Science Center (WCM CTSC) is to rapidly advance translational science discovery with the ultimate goal of getting more treatments to all patients more quickly. To achieve this mission, the CTSC Education Program (CTEP) aims to educate and clinical and translational scientists who are prepared to advance translational science discovery to practice, public health, and public policy, thereby improving health and enhancing the quality of life by reducing disability and death from disease. The WCM CTSC is committed to ensuring that the translational science workforce is broadly representative of the wide range of lived experiences and backgrounds of the US population.