The UT Southwestern Dean’s Scholar in Clinical Research program provides promising early career faculty with financial resources, career guidance, research training, and protected research time to facilitate their development as successful clinical physician scientists. The goal is to provide transitional support to allow these faculty with an opportunity to launch their independent research careers. 

Scholar Eligibility

• Physician-scientists (MD or DO who may have PhD or master's degrees)
• Applicants must have a faculty appointment at UTSW at the award start date. However, promising individuals may be nominated during the final year of training at UTSW or an outside institution as part of their recruitment.
• Applicants within 5 years of completion of training are preferred, but exceptions can be made in special circumstances.
• Applicants must be eligible to have at least 50% protected time for research and career development but are not required to be on a specific track.
• Nominations for the program are made by the chair and division chief (if applicable) from the applicant’s primary appointment.
• Successful applicants have a demonstrable track record of dedication to a career in translational, clinical, or community focused research and commitment to developing applications for NIH funding.
• Those who have held or currently hold a K-type NIH CDA or equivalent award (institutional, society, foundation, or other funding source) are not eligible.
• Those who have held or currently hold R01 or equivalent funding from another source as a PI are not eligible.

If you are not certain regarding eligibility, please CRAadmin@UTSouthwestern.edu us and include a detailed description of the funding mechanism in the email.

Scholar Support

The Dean’s office will provide:

• Up to 50% salary support (up to the NIH salary cap) for two years. Chairs may provide additional protected time depending on candidate needs. Also, those who have successfully submitted a federal grant application (K or R) during the first two years of the Dean’s Scholars Program may be considered for a third year of protected research support.
• Up to $50,000 per year for two years in startup funds matched by the department for a total of $100,000 per year of startup funding.
• Tuition reimbursement for clinical research coursework at UTSW including courses offered under the Master’s in Clinical Investigation, Master’s in Health Informatics, and Master’s in Public Health degree programs.

The department chair of the Scholar’s primary department will be responsible for providing:

• Any salary cost share above the NIH cap
• Additional protected research time beyond 50% if appropriate

Nominations

Candidates must be nominated by a clinical department at UTSW.

Nominations for the fall application cycle open Sept. 1 and close Dec. 12.

Nominations for the Spring application cycle open Jan. 1, 2026, and close May 1, 2026.

We encourage you to reach out via CRAadmin@utsouthwestern.edu with any questions about the program including eligibility or for assistance with applications.

Apply Now  Application Instructions