Sponsored Programs Admin.

Career Development Scholar Program

Goal

Augusta University is pleased to announce the Career Development Scholar Program. The long-term goal of the program is to assist researchers in developing their independent research related to human health. The short-term goal is to support researchers in obtaining the preliminary data needed to successfully transition to an extramurally (preferably federally) funded research career, through an intense, mentored, career development program. It is anticipated that up to three applications will be funded each Academic Year (AY).

Contact Us

Sponsored Programs Administration

706-729-2781

pilotgrants@augusta.edu

Scholar Eligibility Criteria (based on NIH K-Award Guidelines)

  • Doctoral degree from a health profession
  • Full-time Assistant/Associate Professor faculty appointment or completing a fellow-to-faculty transition at time of funding initiation (NLT June 30)
  • U.S. Citizen or green card holder
  • Ability to devote a minimum of 0.50 FTE for one year to the research project (a further one-year renewal is possible, based on Scholar progress towards NIH K-award or other extramural funding proposal submission)

Scholar Requirements

  • Development of a mentored research project, able to be initiated no later than (NLT) the first quarter of each Academic Year
  • Identification of a primary experienced, successful mentor, with strong record of providing research guidance and training to successful trainees (see Mentor Criteria); identification of a minimum of one additional mentor with complementary training and expertise is required but a mentoring team is preferable
  • Written commitment of Scholar’s Department Chair guaranteeing willingness to provide 0.50 FTE protected research time while funded as a Scholar; Chair’s letter should address future research career expectations and offer career coaching commitments
  • Ability to obtain all regulatory approvals (e.g., IRB, IACUC, etc.) by the date of research program activation (NLT June 30).
  • Commitment to provide quarterly updates, and subsequently yearly progress reports.

Budget

  • A detailed proposal budget should include funding for scholars as follows:
    • Salary and fringe benefits for 0.50 FTE effort, up to a total of $120,000/year, plus 34% fringe. Departments may supplement the Career Development Scholar salary support to ensure that Scholars can commit 6.0 calendar months/year (0.50 FTE) to the program
    • Up to $40,000 per Scholar for research expenses such as laboratory reagents or community project costs and administrative supplies, including up to $2,000 for travel to research-related meetings

Mentor Criteria

  • Full-time AU faculty member in a health sciences college (MCG, other)
  • Active extramural funding (ideally, federal) during the period of Scholar mentoring
  • Strong track record of successful research career mentoring
  • 5% time availability to the Scholar (~2hrs/week on average); no direct salary support
  • Suitable laboratory or community-based research mentoring environment

Deadline

The deadline for the applications is November 15th.  Late applications will not be accepted.

  • 0.50 FTE (6 calendar months) dedicated time for research means five- of ten-half day sessions/week, or 20 half-day sessions in a four-week period It is recognized that some weeks may be less and others more, but 20 half-day sessions over four weeks is the expectation.
  • Individuals are also allowed to participate in night call, weekend (and holiday) coverage, etc., as others of equivalent positions. Compensatory time off, if standard for the Department/Section, should not be during research half days.
  • AU is providing faculty salary support up to $120,000 (plus 34% fringe) for 0.50 FTE effort. If the faculty member’s salary is less than $240,000, AU will only fund 0.50 FTE effort. Thus, for example, if the individual’s total salary is $180,000, the AU Scholar Program will provide $90,000 towards salary, with corresponding fringe, and the Department/College funds the remaining $90,000 for the non-research 0.50 FTE.
  • For faculty with salary above $240,000, the AU Scholar Program will fund $120,000; the Department/College is responsible for covering the non-research 0.50 FTE effort plus the difference between half the actual salary and $120,000, plus corresponding fringe. Thus, for example, if the faculty member has a salary of $300,000, the AU Scholar Program will fund $120,000 and corresponding fringe; the Department/College would be responsible for both the 0.50 FTE non-research salary of $150,000 and fringe, plus the $30,000 plus fringe ($300,000/2- $120,000 = $30,000), for a total of $180,000 plus corresponding fringe.
  • The Letter of Support from the Chair should explicitly mention the financial commitment the Department is willing to make, as well as the Department’s and his or her personal guarantee that the minimal research time of an average of five half-days/week will be protected.
  • The Department/College can make the commitment for greater than 0.50 FTE effort towards research. In such cases, the Department/College is responsible for funding the additional amount of effort and fringe.
  • The first year of support will coincide with the respective FY; no extensions will be provided. Thus, if the Scholar is not prepared to start by July 1, the period of support will be less than 12 months in the first year of support. All Scholars must start by September 1.

 

FAQs

Will this program be offered annually?

Yes.

Are individuals on the Research Scientist Track eligible?

As of now, Research Scientists are not eligible. This may be reconsidered in the future.

Is there any time limit from being granted the PhD or MD degree?

We have not placed a limit on the number of years since receiving an MD or PhD; however, the AU Scholar should be eligible to apply for an NIH K or other career development award after completing the AU Scholar funding period.

Are references included in the research plan 5-page limitation?

References are not included against the 5-page limitation in the research plan.

Can an applicant submit more than one proposal?

No, applicants can only submit one proposal per academic year.

 

Applicant Submission and Preparation

Applications must be submitted using the InfoReady Portal. If an applicant has multiple documents to upload for a single section, please combine all documents into a single PDF before upload. View this demonstration video.

Links ( link icon ) and downloadable content ( file-download icon ) are indicated by the icons below.

1. InfoEd Routing

A completed and signed Intramural routing sheet in AU's electronic routing system InfoEd is required. To submit your proposal for review, log in to InfoEd and complete all required fields. The system will generate emails to the appropriate financial and administrative leaders for approval. Please note training and validation are required for use of InfoEd.

2. Letters of Support

from Mentor and from the Department Chair or Center/Institute Director.

3. Detailed Budget and Budget Justification

Budgets that are not clearly justified run the risk of being administratively reduced. 

4. Copy of reviewer comments (summary statement)

if applicable and available.

5. Project Summary & Research Plan

5 pages

6. NIH or NSF Biosketch (preferred) or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

for the Principal Investigator and all faculty participants.

5 page limit per biosketch.

7. Evidence for Plan Integration with Proposal

Evidence that the career development and mentoring plans are closely integrated with the research proposal.

8. Final Reports

A final report is due at the end of every award, and yearly updates will be requested.

 

Applications will be accepted prior to required approvals, if applicable, by the IRB, IACUC, Radiation Safety, Institutional Biosafety, and Institutional Chemical Committees, as well as Augusta University Medical Center (AUMC) approval. However no funds will be awarded until all applicable regulatory approvals are in place.