Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions for
Applicants and Scholars.

Q:  How does CAPS apply to nurses with 9-month appointments?
A:  CAPS scholars must work 12 months.  CAPS pays 75% support year-round. If on a 9-month appointment, a scholar must be committed to working through the summer months.

Q:  Is a MS in clinical research (CR) a CAPS requirement?
A:  Yes.  If you do not have a MS in CR, you will need to apply to the MSCR program. If you feel that another MS program is more appropriate to your needs,you must seek approval from the CAPS Director.

Q:  Is there a difference between a senior or primary mentor?
A:  No, the terms are used interchangeably as are associate, secondary, and supporting mentor.

Q:  Are more than 2 supporting mentors allowed?
A:  Yes.  If your career development plan is best supported by more than 2 associate mentors, include them in your application; and clearly define each mentor's role and contribution to the team.

Q:  Are mentors paid under CAPS?
A:  Each mentoring team is allotted a specified amount of funding to be used in support of CAPS-related activities. The division of funds between senior and associate mentoring teams of three is 50:25:25.

Q:  Must mentors be NIH-approved at the time of the application?
A:  No. Your selected mentors do need to meet the NIH expectations, including a history of NIH funding and 5-10 successful mentees; OR you may include co-mentors to strengthen your mentoring team if one of your selected mentors is a more junior mentor.

Q:  Are there any written guidelines that address what is expected of a mentor?      
A:   Yes.  Several documents on mentoring are posted on the Mentoring page of the CAPS website. Specific expectations are outlined in the Mentor Agreement.

Q:  Is a reference list allowed in the application?
A:  The only additional document that may be submitted for review with the CAPS application is a 1-2 page list of literature references.

Q: In resubmitting a CAPS application, should a cover letter addressing previous review concerns be attached?
A: Yes, CAPS candidates 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.
 
Q: Are you eligible for CAPS if you have previously received a K08 award?
A: No. Candidates cannot have been a PI on an R01, R29, or subproject of a Program Project (PO1), Center (P50, P60, U54),
     mentored career development (K-series) grant, or other equivalent research grant awards, except for R03 and R21.

Q:  Do I need to have a faculty position lined up at the time I apply to CAPS?
A:  If not a current member of the faculty, you would need a commitment from your department that you are on a track to join the faculty.

Q: Must CAPS candidates be U.S. citizens?
A: Candidates must be:
      1) U.S. citizens,
      2) non-citizen nationals, or
      3) a permanent resident lawfully admitted for permanent residence possessing an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-155) or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent resident. (Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.)

Q:  Does the mentoring team’s biostatistician need to be named at the time of the application?
A:  No, there are potentially more applicants than biostatisticians.  Applicants may discuss this with Dr. James Neaton, CAPS Co-Director, at the time the application is  submitted or after notification of CAPS selection.

Q:  Do those who are not selected receive feedback on their applications?
A:  Yes, a letter outlining the MAC’s concerns regarding the application is sent from the Program Director after the selection process has been completed.

Q:  Can scholars apply for other awards while in the program?
A:  Yes.  The program encourages scholars to write grants.

Q:  Can CAPS applicants apply for other K awards at the same time they apply to CAPS?
A:  Yes.  That’s a good use of your time.  However, you cannot accept both if they are funded.

Q:  Can a scholar’s mentors be submitting an RO1 centered on the same research question?
A:  Yes, but keep in mind that your career development plan must emphasize your independent career development path.

Q:  Since the CAPS research funds are limited, is there an expectation that applicants be supported by another big grant?
A:  No other in-kind support is expected.  It will likely be necessary, however, to pursue other support for research projects.   

Q:  How are national consultants included in the application?
A:  If you want them included as mentors, you will need to outline regularly scheduled interactions (i.e. conference calls, videoconferencing, or regularly planned travel for meetings).  You must demonstrate real interaction.  If the consultant will serve as a contact only, then list as a collaborator.

Q:  Must a senior mentor be a full professor?
A:  Not necessarily.  The NIH is looking for a record of NIH funding, experience in training mentees, and that there is time and commitment to your career development.

Q:  Is a community-based research focus acceptable?
A:  If it is focused on a health problem.  Limitations may involve identifying adequate senior mentorship in the field.  This research focus may require some creative mentoring. 

Q:  What is meant by a multidisciplinary team?
A:  Ideally, you would want each of your senior and associate mentors to be from different disciplines.  The biostatistician adds a multidisciplinary component to the mentoring team.

Q:  Have you accepted any applicants who re-applied to the program?
A:  Yes.  Applicants who re-apply are asked to submit an additional ½-page statement outlining what they have done to address application concerns.

Q:  Who should sign the unit head statement?  The Department or Division Head?
A:  Both can sign.  They need to demonstrate adequate department support for this program and protected time.  Support of protected time to allow for research career development is essential.

Q:  Is secondary analysis of a national dataset ok?
A:  Yes.  It must be clearly included in the definition of clinical research.

Q:  If research is more Epi or Health Services Research oriented, would it need to tie back into patient-oriented research?
A:  No.

Q:  Is a MPH in another field acceptable in place of the MS in Clinical Research?
A:  That would need to be determined by the Program Director on an individual basis. There are specific courses that all CAPS scholars are required to take regardless of whether or not they have a MS in a clinical research area.  A MPH may apply; however, additional courses in clinical research areas covered by the MS in Clinical Research may be required. 

For Scholars

Q:  Do scholars need to take the Management course this fall, or will it be offered again in the spring? 
A:   Management for Clinical Research (PubH PubH 6570, section 3) is offered only in the fall.

Q:  Can the course be taken in year 2 of CAPS training?
A:   Yes, but only in the fall.

Q:  Can scholars commit less than 75% effort to CAPS the first half of the year and more than 75% effort the second half of the year?
A:   Any proposed deviation from 75% effort on CAPS for any period of time must be approved by the CAPS Director.

Q:   Can scholars be listed on other grants at 0% salary?
A:   This depends on the NIH policy. Submit specific questions to the CAPS Coordinator.
 
Q:   How do scholars who are not enrolled in a MS program register for classes?
A:   They register as non-degree students.  More information is available at http://www.sph.umn.edu/education/nondegree/home.html

Q:  Are scholars responsible for paying taxes on their tuition benefit?
A:  This changes periodically, so check with Human Resources or Employee Benefits for information specific to your situation. There may be a tax liability for a portion of the tuition benefit if registered for more than 14 credits per semester.

Q:  How do I waive student health insurance coverage?
A:  Go to the Boynton Health Service website to opt out of coverage: www.bhs.umn.edu/insurance/ahc