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Request for Applications
ITHS TL1 Translational Research Training Program
TL1 Translational Research Training Program Request for Applications
The ITHS TL1 program is a one-year mentored research training program in translational science for predoctoral students. This program creates a cross-disciplinary community of emerging researchers and provides them with specific training, career development opportunities, and team science skills to help them function effectively within translational science teams.
The TL1 program is open to applicants from all disciplines and backgrounds who meet the eligibility criteria.
Application Period Open
Key Dates
- RFA Open
October 14, 2024 - Application Deadline
December 16, 2024 - Notification of Awards
March 2025 - Program Start and End Dates
June 16, 2025 – June 15, 2026
Through a combination of thoughtful mentorship, interdisciplinary interaction, and focused training, TL1 Trainees develop the skills needed to become impactful translational researchers.
TL1 Information Sessions
We’ll be hosting a few live information sessions for anyone interested in learning more about the program.
- TL1 Info Session 1: Friday, September 27, 1–2pm Pacific
Register: https://washington.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctdu6hqTkuEtFRHvQA-WK31SSVST6MyCgl#/ - TL1 Info Session 2: Tuesday, November 5, 11:30am–12:30pm Pacific
Register: https://washington.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcqc–rqjIoGdG6xfQy0U3OkUW0n–v-N2W#/ - In-Person Info Session at MSU: Wednesday, October 23, 1–2pm, Reid Hall 333, Montana State University
If you are unable to attend the live sessions, you can watch this recording:
Program Overview
Program Overview
The TL1 Program is a predoctoral training program sponsored by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), a center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The major components of the TL1 program are:
- Research and training time: TL1 trainees commit full-time effort towards their translational research and the training involved in the program during their appointment.
- Interactive seminars: The program provides in-depth training on skills and competencies critical to the conducting of translational research. Over the course of a year-long appointment, trainees can expect to receive training in most of the CTSA-designed Core Competencies for Translational Research.
- Translational coursework: Trainees supplement their normal course of study with additional courses aimed at broadening their translational skillset.
- Mentorship: Trainees receive additional mentorship from TL1 faculty to complement their career development in translational research.
By the end of their appointments, Trainees can expect to be able to:
- Conduct a small research study, under supervision
- Present their research with confidence to a general research audience
- Participate in data collection, management, and analysis within a transdisciplinary research team
- Coordinate their own research with that of the larger team
- Develop proposals for independent research funding
- Evaluate ethical issues facing beginning clinical/translational investigators
- Communicate research effectively with diverse audiences
Funding
Funding
The ITHS TL1 program supports trainees with the following:
- Stipend: Trainees receive monthly predoctoral stipends, which are uniformly set for all trainees by the National Institute of Health. Review the current NRSA stipend levels.
- Tuition: The TL1 program will pay 60 percent of full-time tuition (up to $16,000/year) to support the trainee in supplementing their course of study with required translational coursework.
- Research funding: Trainees receive up to $1500 in funding to support their research activities.
- Childcare: Trainees are eligible for childcare via the NRSA. See here for more information regarding eligibility: Announcement of Childcare Costs for Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellows
- Travel funding: Trainees receive up to $1500 in funding to support their travel to professional meetings and conferences.
Please note, TL1 support is contingent upon continual trainee progress and compliance with ITHS directives, as well as continued support from the NCATS grant that funds the TL1 program.
Eligibility
Eligibility
The TL1 program is open to students enrolled in predoctoral programs at the University of Washington or Montana State University. These include Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Social Work, as well as health-related programs across the schools.
To be considered eligible for the TL1 Program, applicants must be:
- Pre-doctoral students enrolled in a program leading to a PhD in a health science research-related doctoral degree program, or a combined doctoral level professional degree (such as a MD, DDS, DNP, PharmD/MS or MD, DDS, DNP, PharmD/PhD) plus a clinical research-related advanced degree (e.g., MPH). Students who wish to postpone their professional studies for one year to gain research experience may be appointed to the TL1 program for that period, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.
- A U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, with verification documents (individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible).
- Able to commit full-time effort in the program at the time of appointment.
- Available to begin the program and accept stipends as of June 16, 2025 and remain in the program through June 15, 2026. Start and end dates are not flexible, you cannot be on an NRSA grant during this time.
Applicants must not:
- Conduct research outside of the United States during their appointment period.
- Accept salary support from other Public Health Service-funded grants during their appointment period.
- Have previously received five years or more of NRSA support in aggregate at the predoctoral level, including any combination of support from institutional training grants and individual fellowship awards.
Coursework
Coursework
TL1 trainees will continue the pursuit of their terminal degrees while also incorporating the TL1 curriculum. The required curriculum includes the TL1 seminar each quarter, as well as courses in Biostatistics , and Epidemiological methods depending on the individuals prior coursework. The exact course plan to meet these requirements will depend on each individual’s prior course work, area of study and goals. Other relevant methods courses may also be taken, such as qualitative and mixed-methods.
Course credits from the TL1 program can be fully transferred to more advanced master’s or doctoral programs. Some students who enter the program will extend their professional predoctoral training up to a year. However, there will be some students whose prior coursework or experience may allow them to integrate their coursework easily into their ongoing professional doctoral work.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Key Dates
- Application Deadline
December 16, 2024 - Notification of Awards
March 2025 - Program Start and End Dates
June 16, 2025–June 15, 2026
Step 1. Obtain Mentor Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
Letters should be submitted online through the Mentor LOR form.
You will need one letter of recommendation:
1) Letter of Recommendation from Primary Mentor – Letters of recommendation should be no longer than two pages, address the applicant’s promise as a translational researcher, and include information on the level of support and involvement the mentor expects to provide the applicant during their potential appointment. Letters of recommendation should be submitted by mentors through the Mentor Letter of Recommendation Form.
Applicants: Please direct your mentors to the Mentor Letter of Recommendation Form as early as possible. All letters of recommendation are due on December 16, 2024 at 11:59pm PDT.
You can either:
1. Copy the following link, and deliver it any way you’d like (e.g. Craft your own email).
https://www.iths.org/TL1-Letters
– OR –
2. Enter a few details into a form, and we’ll send the link to them for you.
Step 2. Complete the following items prior to accessing the online application
Combine Items 2-5 into a single PDF file.
Step 3. Complete the online application form
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
TL1 program
How is the TL1 program funded?
The NIH TL1 Program is funded through NCATS as part of a broad Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Initiative.
How many funded positions will there be each year?
The TL1 program aims to appoint eighteen (18) trainees per year, twelve (12) from the University of Washington and six (6) from Montana State University.
Can the TL1 program stipend be supplemented by a department or division?
From the NIH Grants Policy Statement: “Stipends may be supplemented by an institution from non-Federal funds provided this supplementation is without any additional obligation for the fellow.”
Can TL1 trainees be otherwise employed while appointed to the program?
From the NIH Grants Policy Statement: “NIH recognizes that Kirschstein-NRSA fellows (such as in the TL1 program) may seek part-time employment incidental to their training program to offset further their expenses. Fellows and trainees may spend on average, an additional 25% of their time (e.g., 10 hours per week) in part time research, teaching, or clinical employment, so long as those activities do not interfere with, or lengthen, the duration of their NRSA training.”
As a TL1 trainee will I be able to conduct research outside of the US and Canada?
The TL1 program cannot fund any research work or travel outside of the United States and Canada, with the exception of international travel for the purpose of attending conferences. Conducting research in the United States with foreign samples and data is allowed.
Contact Us
Contact Us
For information regarding this program, contact:
MILU WORKU
Training Programs Specialist
Institute of Translational Health Sciences
850 Republican Street, Box 358051, Seattle, WA 98109
Email / 206.543.0542 / fax 206.616.9250
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