Programs
Training and development programs at UT Southwestern support researchers at every stage of their journey, from those just getting started with research to experienced researchers with career development awards. Explore your options below.
Catalyst to a Career Development Award (K)
Who it’s for: Early career researchers
Get the support and tools necessary to obtain a career development award through the Clinical Researcher Catalyst (CRC). It can be hard for new clinical researchers to navigate UTSW. We’re here to help.
The CRC links clinical researchers at all career stages with resources they need to succeed, including community events, online career hacks such as grant development tools and online career development, mentorship opportunities, group coaching, writing workshops, didactic sessions, and 1:1 consultation sessions.
- Program Details
The program features two tracks:
- Fast track:
- For researchers who want to submit for a career development award (CDA) within two years
- Assists with creating a structured work plan to complete a CDA
- Involves attending didactic sessions and writing workshops, and taking part in group coaching
- Open program:
- Self-paced for individuals who are curious about research and those who do not have a timeline set to apply for a career development award
CRC Program highlights:
- Free for faculty, though a cost is associated if you enroll in a UTSW degree program
- Modular, which allows participants to choose what meets their individualized needs
- Designed to fit into your schedule, so there is minimal time taken away from clinical duties
Workshops
- Manuscript Writing Course
- Introduction to Scientific Communication
- Writing Accountability Group
- NIH Grant Writing
- Successfully Earning a K (SEAK)
Research Support and Mentoring
To learn more about the Clinical Researcher Catalyst, please CRAadmin@utsouthwestern.edu to request access to our Microsoft Teams group.
- Fast track:
The Clinical Researcher Catalyst Program has been integral in my path to the clinician scholar track. With time and mentorship within the program, I was impressed by the power of contributing to the literature. …the support and guidance of the catalyst program has been vital for my career development. I hope to continue within this space of academic medicine and inspire other underrepresented minorities to do the same.”
Research Independence: Moving from K to R
Who it’s for: K awardees, Ph.D. researchers
Access support to successfully deliver the objectives of a career development award (CDA), while also developing and writing for an RO1 grant or equivalent funding. The objective of the K to Research Independence Program is to assist faculty who have successfully obtained a career development award in their quest for approval for an RO1 grant.
- Program Details
The program provides a grant development work plan to guide individuals toward their goal of submitting an R01 application and hold them accountable. In addition, the work plan is designed to promote and support successful delivery and administration of the participants’ current CDA. Researchers/scholars receive mentoring, group coaching, writing workshops, tools, online career development resources, and leadership retreats. Individuals participating in the program have access to all Clinical Researcher Catalyst (CRC) resources.
K to R Program highlights:
- Free and designed to fit into your schedule
- Prerequisites: individuals’ commitment to apply for an R01 in the next two to five years.
- Hybrid structure, with in-person and Teams options. Times and locations depend on program needs.
- Application required; opens annually
Workshops
- Manuscript Writing Course
- Writing Accountability Group
- NIH Grant Writing
- Office of Research Development: Skills Workshops
- K to R Grant Writing Series (Pre-SOAR)
- Successfully Obtaining an R (SOAR)
Research Support and Mentoring
For Program Detailsrmation, contact us via CRAadmin@utsouthwestern.edu.
Having a community of early career researchers is invaluable and through the CRA I have met many others at similar stages in their careers - people I would not have met otherwise. Just hearing from other about their successes and struggles is so encouraging and makes me realize that I’m not alone in this and there are people I can reach out to if I have problems.”