For Applicants

The National Institutes of Health initiated the K12 career development awards "to educate future leaders of multidisciplinary clinical research and speed the translation of research discoveries into improved patient care."  The University of Minnesota was chosen as a K12 site based on its strong clinical research infrastructure. 

NIH Clinical Research Scholar Program
http://www.clinicalresearchscholar.org/

The Career Advancement Program for Clinical Research Scholars (CAPS) is designed for outstanding scholars who have recently completed their clinical training in areas such as dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health and who are committed to developing careers in clinical research. This program emphasizes learning through interaction and, therefore, requires that candidates be located on campus and that degree training be done at the University of Minnesota.

It is intended that faculty will initiate and strongly support the nomination of either junior faculty or senior clinical fellows for these awards. Scholars from all schools in the AHC are eligible as well as scholars at affiliated institutions (HCMC and VAMC).  Please seek statistical help before submitting an application.

The deadline for the third round of applications is
October 1, 2007.  

Please send an electronic copy of the application materials in one WORD document in Arial font, size 11 to:

anderson@epi.umn.edu

Russell V. Luepker, MD        
CAPS Program Director
Division of Epidemiology & Community Health
300 WBOB
Del Code 7525

Russell V. Luepker, MD, PI and CAPS Program Director
luepker@epi.umn.edu

James D. Neaton, PhD, Co-Director
neato001@umn.edu

Elizabeth R. Seaquist, MD, Co-Diretor
seaqu001@umn.edu

Terri Tharp
CAPS Coorinator
tharp@epi.umn.edu
612-626-8882

Jill Anderson
Adminstrative Specialist
anderson@epi.umn.edu
612-626-8592

CAPS Applicant Review Process:
1) Applications received by the posted deadline are disseminated to the CAPS Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee (MAC) for review.  Three MAC reviewers are assigned to present the application to the MAC review committee.  Review committee members individually score each application based on evaluation criteria (EvaluationCriteriaOutline.doc).  A mean MAC review score is determined for each application.
2) Applicants who fall into the top scoring categories are scheduled for interviews. This generally includes approximately close to half of the applicants.  Interview teams comprised of 5 MAC members are formed. A MAC member is selected to chair all interview teams and participate in all sessions to enhance quality control.  A standardized set of questions and procedures is followed.  Interview teams submit a group score for each interviewee.
3) The Executive Committee reviews each candidate's mean review session score and group interview score in selecting new CAPS scholars. 
4) Selected scholars' application packets with required forms are submitted to the NIH for approval.

NOTE: Applicants who resubmit are given the opportunity to respond to their review in a 1/2-page introduction that states what they have done to address application concerns.  Applicants are advised to note the changed criteria for NIH grants:  significance and innovation are important. 

Scoring Categories:
95-100 = Outstanding
90-94 = Excellent
85-89 = Very Good
80-84 = Good
70-79 = OK
<70 = Not Acceptable