Research Support & Development Biostatistical Resources Grant Support & Review Services NIH K and F Submissions Guide Training Grant Support NIH Resubmission Program NIH Resources NIH Boot Camp Outcomes Chalk Talks Research Roadmap Frequently Asked Questions Physician Scientist Resources Guidance for Proposal Submissions Grant Incentive Programs and Pilot Awards Researcher Pipeline Physician Scientist Resources Home Research Office of Research Research > Physician Scientist Resources Becoming a Physician Scientist Physician scientists are physicians (MDs or DOs with or without additional degrees) who devote regular components of their professional effort to seeking new knowledge about health, disease, or delivery of patient care through research. While all physicians receive training in medical science, physician scientists are trained to conduct independent scientific investigations in the laboratory, clinic or other settings. A physician scientist's in-depth clinical knowledge of human health and disease and scientific investigation and analysis skills make them uniquely resourceful. Physician scientists are well prepared to: Detect new threats to human health Develop potential new therapies, treatments, or means of prevention Communicate knowledgeably across disciplines Lead scientific teams or organizations Guide important policy decisions, such as drug approval AAMC Definition Tools & Support for Physician Scientists Aspiring physician scientists can explore career development and research opportunities at UCI through three programs: the Physician Scientist Collective, the Physician Scientist Training Program and the Dean's K Scholar. Further programming is in development and will be available in the near future. Physician Scientist Collective The School of Medicine Office of Research is excited to announce the launch of the Physician Scientist Collective (PSC) at UCI, a community of like-minded researchers dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and improving patient outcomes. The PSC aims to provide a platform for physician scientists to come together, learn, collaborate, and advance their careers. One of the main programs offered by the PSC is the monthly seminar series. These seminars will include visiting speakers who will discuss their research and career paths. Other seminars will be educational and cover a variety of topics, including study design, tissue acquisition and analysis, mentorship, and grantsmanship. These seminars are designed to provide physician scientists with the knowledge and skills they need to conduct high-quality research and advance their careers. Moreover, the PSC provides opportunities for networking and collaboration. The organization also offers mentorship and career development resources to help physician scientists achieve their professional goals. The Physician Scientist Collective is an excellent resource for physician scientists who want to connect with their peers, learn new skills, and advance their careers. Please see our Events calendar below for a list of upcoming PSC Distinguished Speaker Series events. Physician Scientist Pathways Certificate Course The School of Medicine Office of Research is excited to announce the Physician Scientist Pathways Certificate Course! This course will prepare physician scientists by enabling them to combine their clinical knowledge with skills in scientific investigation. The School of Medicine strives to advance individual and population health and this fundamental certificate course will equip physician scientists with the basic knowledge required to address their research questions. This will allow UCI to deliver top-level care to our patients, as we will have physicians able to leverage ongoing breakthroughs while advancing research in their fields. Director: Anand Ganesan, MD, PhD Program Manager: Mary Frances Ypma-Wong, PhD Target Applicant Residents, fellows, and junior faculty physicians interested in pursuing a career path that includes basic, translational, clinical and/or epidemiology research. This course is designed to not only provide a basic level of knowledge but for attendees to develop an individual development plan for further research training. Program Structure This course will run for 6 weeks, 2 hours/week. It is a hybrid course, which includes 3 in-person sessions and 3 online sessions. There is no tuition fee. Week 1: Physician Scientist Research Pathways and Opportunities | in-person | Irvine School of Medicine campus Week 2: Tools of Basic and Translational Research Week 3: Basics of Biostatistics and Epidemiology Week 4: Mentors and Collaborators| in-person | UCIMC Week 5: Translational Tissue Models Week 6: Designing a fundable research question and training plan| in-person | Irvine School of Medicine campus This course includes weekly assessments. Program Objectives Understand the different types of biomedical research pathways and the types of training that are needed for each pathway. Understand the process of formulating a research question and how to search for funding opportunities (through PIVOT, etc.) Develop an individualized training plan to obtain the necessary research skills for further career development. Understand how the latest research and clinical tools can be applied. Obtain a fundamental understanding of the grant application process and what is required to assemble a grant application that could be funded. Application Requirements Complete the application by the deadline. This includes: One-page letter of intent which outlines research interests and rationale/need for additional training. Letter of support from the department chair, division chief, or program director indicating that the candidate will be provided time to attend in-person activities. Individual commitment to attend all three in-person sessions. You will receive a notice regarding your status (accepted/not accepted) into the program. The Physician Scientist Pathways Certificate Course will commence in Fall 2024. Have questions? Contact the program manager Physician Scientist Training Program The Program The 2024 Physician Scientist Training Program is a two-year structured program providing physician scientists with intensive mentorship and opportunities to apply for their first independent, federally funded awards (K08, K23) or other equivalent external career development awards. This program is supported by the School of Medicine and is administered by the School of Medicine Research Development Unit (RDU) with oversight by the School's Associate Dean of Physician Scientist Development and the Vice Deans of Clinical and Basic Research. The 2024 program will run from March 2024 through March 2026. PSTP leverages the wide range of resources at UCI, including those provided by the School of Medicine Offices of Research and of Academic Affairs, Institute of Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS), and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC). This is a competitive, two-year program that incorporates the following elements: Formal and informal mentoring. Access to resources to facilitate appropriate study design, collection of pilot data, and preparation and submission of competitive grant applications. Instruction in and structured support for navigating NIH and other extramural funding sources, grant writing and review, and grants management with the goal of successfully submitting independent applications. In addition, participants will also be able to tailor training according to their individual career and research goals. RDU staff will work with physicians to ensure access to mentors and resources. Eligibility This program is open to physician scientists (MD, DO, or MD, PhD) who meet the following eligibility requirements: Holds a junior faculty position (typically instructor or assistant professor) U.S. citizen or permanent resident Has not been a principal investigator or equivalent on any of the following: NIH R01 (or equivalent) NIH career development award (e.g. K08, K23) Equivalent Public Health Service or VA research grants/career awards. Able to devote at least 25% effort for the duration of the program to research. For those admitted to the program, certification of time commitment from a participant’s department chair or division chief will be required prior to program launch. Proposed research falls within the clinical & translational science research spectrum Has at least one scientific mentor with aligned research expertise, extramural funding, and a strong commitment to guide and support the applicant’s proposed career development, research program and grant-writing goals. Candidates may and are encouraged to identify more than one mentor, i.e., a mentoring team if deemed advantageous for providing expert advice in all aspects of their research and career development. Program Requirements & Milestones At least 25% of a physician scientist’s full-time professional effort must be devoted to research activities. The participant must be committed to attending programmatic events, communicating individualized training needs to School of Medicine RDU staff, and reaching the milestones outlined below: Attend orientation and workshops for grant funding, grant writing, and grants management. Join the Physician Scientist Collective and attend monthly events. Attend and prepare for all scheduled meetings with the scientific mentor mentoring team at least once a month. Develop a grant writing schedule by the end of the first 3 months of the program and generate and circulate drafts of grant components for review by the end of the first 12 months. Report on progress in the program and meet with the PSTP review committee at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Submit an NIH K08 or K23 application by March 2026. To Apply Submit your application along with the documents listed below by February 9, 2024. 1-2 page career statement and professional development plan for pursuing a research career in clinical and translational science. This must include a list of potential mentors. One page description of research interests and specific aims that would lead to a grant submission within 2 years. NIH biosketch. Letter of Commitment from the Department or Division Chair acknowledging candidate would be provided at least 25% protected time for research activities. Watch the 2024 Physician Training Program Info Session. Apply now For inquiries, please contact the Research Development Unit at somrd@hs.uci.edu. Alpha Clinic Clinical Trials Investigator Training Program (ACCTITP) The Program The ACCTITP aims to promote equitable delivery of advanced therapeutics through educating community physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs) and pharmacists on scientific progress in regenerative medicine and training them in cell and gene therapy clinical methodology. The ACCTITP will be offered as a certificate course through UCI School of Medicine Office of Medical Education. The lectures will be offered as weekly two-hour lecture sessions for 20 weeks (Thursdays from 6:00-8:00 pm over Zoom) with ten half-day clinical research observational sessions in the UCI AC clinics and inpatient units. Target Audience Priority will be given to physicians interested in clinical research careers with an emphasis on the delivery of clinical trials in community settings, including our AC REAL sites. We plan to enroll between four and six candidates every year. To Apply Applications for the next cohort of ACCTITP Trainees will open Spring 2024! We will confirm our cohort of ACCTITP Trainees in early Spring for the program start in January 2025. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Dr. Monique Williams (monique.williams@uci.edu). Read more about the ACCTITP. Dean's K Scholar This program provides awardees the protected time and mentorship needed to obtain NIH K/equivalent funding. Mentees will be provided specific mentorship in the areas of grantsmanship, publication development, research design, and implementation science. Timeline of Funding and Training Opportunities The overview below shows funding sources accessible at different stages of a Physician Scientist’s career development and training programs that cater to unique educational needs. The timeline denotes the duration of research typically required at each phase of their journey, particularly focusing on the critical K and R stages of a Physician Scientist’s career path. Medical School Research Time: 1-5 years Must produce publications Transition to residency with opportunities for research Demonstrate training Training Programs MSTP MS-BATS MD/MBA MD/MPH Funding sources NIH T32s MSRP Scholarships & Fellowships Foundations awards Residency Research Time: 2-3 years Must produce publications 2 years of dedicated research Develop thematic research Training Programs PhD Programs Masters Program PS Certificate Course Physician Scientist Collective Funding sources NIH T32s CIRM fellowship Damon Runyon Doris Duke Foundation awards Junior Faculty Research Time: 1-4 years (1 if prior training up to 4 if not) Thematic publications Training fits theme Develop thematic research Training Programs PSTP Program Dean’s K Scholar Program Physician Scientist Collective Funding sources Foundations CDAs Departmental Support Philanthropy Financial Suppor through programs described K Awardee Research Time: 3-7 years Must produce publications Transition to residency with opportunities for research Demonstrate training Training Programs 6-month mentorship meetings NIH bootcamp & K society Coursework in Training Plan Training in Responsible Conduct of Research Funding sources NIH K awards VA CDA awards R Awardee Research Time: 6-7 years Apply for other pilot awards, small grants May need a 1-2 year bridge after R lapses National expert in field Training Programs NIH resubmission program Workshops & Seminars Funding sources Bridge funds Pilot awards Department funds Comprehensive Guide for Hiring Physician Scientists Attention — School of Medicine Department Chairs & Staff The School of Medicine Office of Research understands the challenges that may come with recruiting and hiring physician scientists to your department. We've created a comprehensive guide for hiring physician scientists. Email Mary Frances Ypma-Wong, Research Development Manager, for the guide. Send Email Active Training Grants UCI Training Grants that include training for medical residents and fellows. At UCI, we take pride in our diverse training programs designed to foster the next generation of physician scientists. Principal Investigators and trainees are encouraged to contact the respective PD/PIs listed below to inquire if there is an available training opportunity. View a complete list of UCI Training grants. Training in the Neurobiology of Aging: 5T32AG000096-40 PIs: Craig Stark, PhD & Andrea Tenner, PhD Clinical Trainees: Position for one resident/fellow postdoc Project Period: 09/01/82 – 04/01/24 Interdisciplinary Training Program in Hearing Research: 5T32DC010775-14 PIs: Raju Metherate, PhD Clinical Trainees: There are two postdoc positions each year, one or both can be filled by Residents or PhDs. Project Period: 07/01/10 – 06/30/25 A Training Program for Interdisciplinary Cancer Research: 5T32CA009054-43 PIs: David Fruman, PhD & Edinger Aimee, VMD/PhD Clinical Trainees: There are two positions for postdocs holding PhD or MD-PhD degrees; appointments of MD-PhD postdocs occurs during the research fellowship phase. Project Period: 07/01/21 – 06/30/26 Training in Translational ADRD Neuroscience (TITAN): 5T32AG073088-03 PIs: Joshua Grill, PhD & Elizabeth Head, PhD Clinical Trainees: Positions for one to two neurology, neuropathology, psychiatry, geriatrics, or nursing residents and postdocs. Project Period: 09/01/21 – 08/31/26 Interdisciplinary Training Program in Skin Biology: 5T32AR080622-02 PIs: Bogi Andersen, MD & Anand Ganesan, MD/PhD Clinical Trainees: There are three openings for graduate students and one opening for either a PhD postdoc or a Clinical Trainee doing research. Project Period: 05/01/22 – 04/30/27 CIRM Scholars Comprehensive Research Training Program PIs: Peter Donovan, PhD Clinical Trainees: Supports two clinical fellows at any time for a 2-year period each. Project Period: 12/1/21 – 11/30/26 Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP) The Program The Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP) aims to increase the number of School of Medicine faculty who can be principal investigators on externally funded clinical trials through a 2-year partnership program with a senior investigator already running clinical trials. The trainees will also be provided with educational resources to provide the foundational knowledge required for clinical trial administration. Target Audience: Faculty interested in serving as a principal investigator on clinical trials with an active clinical Applicant must have commitment from department chair or division chief to dedicate 10% FTE to clinical trial activities Applicant must have commitment from a senior investigator already engaged in clinical trials to serve as a mentor and support the mentee in developing an independent clinical trial portfolio (incentive will be provided to the senior investigator for their commitment) Program Milestones: End of Year One Completion of required training (online; approximately 10-12 hours) Serve as a sub-investigator on at least 1-2 additional clinical trials Presentation of portfolio-building strategies, including the number of clinical trials in the pipeline End of Year Two Serve as the primary UCI investigator on two new clinical trials (e.g., national cooperative group, federal, state, industry or foundation/philanthropy sponsored) Presentation of the present and future portfolio (e.g., number of active clinical trials, number of patients enrolled, future strategies, including the number of clinical trials in the pipeline) To Apply: Applications for the next CTTP cohort will open Fall 2024. The application includes: Letter of interest (1 page): briefly describe your interest in participation, area of clinical practice and populations you can enroll, and which senior investigator you would like to work with. Letter of support from mentor, including the mentor qualifications (e.g., experience in actively conducting clinical trials, involvement in clinical trial design) Letter of support from the Department Chair CV or NIH biosketch Direct any questions to the SOM Research Development Unit. A Community for Physician Scientists to Learn, Grow & Thrive The UCI Physician Scientist Collective (PSC) is a platform and community for physician scientists to learn, collaborate and advance their careers. We offer programs and events tailored to the needs of physician scientists at different stages of their careers. These events occur throughout the academic year (September to June). Bimonthly Seminar Series These seminars feature distinguished speakers from various medical disciplines at academic institutions around the country who will share their experiences and insights on physician scientist careers. Bimonthly Educational Seminars We have designed educational seminars in collaboration with UCI Research Centers to develop the research skills of physician scientists on campus. These seminars will provide a forum for physician scientists to learn about new techniques and methods that may be useful in their research projects. Events There are no upcoming events. View All Events Previous Events See our archive of past events and learn about the diverse topics we've previously covered. Past Events