The Mentored Clinical Research Training Program (MCRTP) is a collaborative initiative between Weill Cornell Medicine and Houston Methodist offering early-career physicians a fast-track program to acquire the skillset to develop a clinical research project proposal and embark on a clinical research career pathway.
Drawing on courses adapted from the Weill Cornell CTSC and small group sessions, the workshop provides an introduction to the foundations of clinical research, including research design and methodologies, data management and analysis, and the regulatory process.
The MCRTP is held annually in New York City. The program begins with an intensive four-day workshop in person followed by monthly virtual meetings for 11-months. Trainees will meet in small working groups, comprised of faculty mentors with experience in clinical research and biostatistics, to develop their own clinical research projects.
Eligibility Requirements
Those eligible to apply are WCM (primarily located at WCM UES, LMH, BMH, or NYPQ) or HM physicians. This program is primarily intended for junior physicians who are up to seven years post residency/fellowship training when they start the program. However, physicians who are more than seven years post training or who are senior fellows with plan to stay on faculty may also apply. Such candidates should provide specific information to address why they are appropriate candidates in light of their career stage, and they will be considered in the context of this issue as well as other qualifications and the applicant pool.
It is expected that the trainees will devote at least 10% of their time to the program during the one-year mentored proposal development phase as well as have permission for time away from clinical and other duties for participation in the four-day workshop and the monthly working group meetings.
Applicants should seek to identify a mentor prior to applying to the program. To encourage cross-institutional linkages, HM applicants are strongly encouraged to identify mentors at WCM, and vice versa. It is also feasible to have two mentors, for example one at each institution. The mentor(s) and trainee do not necessarily have to belong to the same research discipline or have a similar research focus.
Application Requirements
Eligible applicants who have fulfilled the requirements of the Notification of Intent will be invited to submit a full application. The following documents need to be submitted as part of the full application package:
- Application form
- Applicant’s NIH biosketch/CV
- Applicant’s career development plan (1-page limit): Describe career goals, plan to obtain experience and skills for an independent career in clinical research, and future coursework planned, if any.
- Applicant’s statement of interest (2-page limit): Describe research idea; explain how current or planned clinical or research activities would contribute to realizing this research idea.
- Mentor’s NIH biosketch/CV, including track record of mentorship (if applicable)
- Mentor’s statement of support, if applicable (1-page limit): Describe track record with the applicant, information on mentors’ qualifications in the research area, experience in mentoring other investigators, plans to mentor and support the program, details of planned meetings and interactions with the applicant, resources available to the project.
- Departmental/Divisional commitment letter (1-page limit): Describe the applicant’s clinical, research, educational and administrative responsibilities, and assurance that the applicant will have time allocated for participation in the program.
Selection Criteria
Each application will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
- Applicant’s personal qualifications, as assessed by the biosketch/CV, and potential for academic success, as assessed by the career development plan.
- The originality, feasibility, clinical importance and scientific merit of the applicant’s research idea, as described in the applicant’s statement of interest, as well as the potential impact of the MCRTP on the career development of the applicant and WCMC/HMH programs.
- The mentor’s experience and plans for supporting the applicant, as assessed by the biosketch/CV, statement of support, and track record of mentorship.
Notification of Intent
The MCRTP is now accepting Notifications of Intent (NoI). Please complete the NoI form by April 21, 2025. Eligible applicants who have fulfilled the requirements of the NoI will be invited to submit a full application.
Application opens: April 30, 2025
Application closes: May 23, 2025
Applicants notified of acceptance: June 6, 2025
MCRTP Retreat: August 6-9, 2025
Longitudinal support: September 2025 – July 2026
Testimonies
Feedback from previous MCRTP trainees:
“The small group size and personalized attention helped make the sessions more impactful.”
“I thought it was very instructive, and anyone interested in clinical research should attend.”
“Great introduction and networking.”
“I felt like it was such a well-run workshop that gave me a wealth of tools and knowledge to help me launch a research career. I have already recommended it to others!”