TL1 Training Grant

Are you a predoctoral student interested in clinical and translational research?

The CTSI TL1 Predoctoral Training Program provides predoctoral trainees with the skills required to develop a career in multidisciplinary clinical and translational research. The program uses a team-science approach and provides mentoring and didactic training for predoctoral students performing clinical and/or translational research in health-related fields at UF.


TL1 Trainees at the 2018 CTSI Research Day
TL1 Trainees at the CTSI Research Day

About the Program

In this program trainees will accomplish the following:

  • Complete the Clinical & Translational Science Interdisciplinary Concentration
  • Present their research at the annual Translational Science (Association for Clinical & Translational Science) conference during each year of TL1 funding, and at the annual CTSI Research Day each year until graduation.
  • Design at least one CTS Specific Aim for dissertation project
  • Participate in a TL1 Team
  • Submit results of clinical/translational team research for publication in a peer-reviewed journal
  • Attend at least six (6) career & professional development events each year
  • Submit semi-annual progress reports during the funded period, and annual progress reports thereafter until graduation.
  • Participate in program evaluation activities
  • Cite the CTSA TL1 and UL1 awards in peer-reviewed publications

CTS Teams

CTS (TL1) Trainees will be expected to identify one other CTS Trainee as a research collaborator, and apply for TL1 support as a CTS Team. CTS Team members must be pursuing their PhD degree in different PhD programs in different colleges.


Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents per NIH policy and entering their second or third year of doctoral graduate study. Students from populations underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences are encouraged to apply (more information).
  • Doctoral students from all UF PhD programs are eligible to apply, as long as their dissertation research is relevant to human health.
  • Applicants must apply in the first or second year of PhD studies, prior to defending their dissertation proposal.
  • Team specific aims that are clinical or translational must be added to doctoral dissertation research.
  • Applicants should have strong academic credentials and good communication skills.
  • Applicants must be able to commit to all course and research training requirements of the training program.
  • Applicants must propose a research project relevant to human health, which should include at least one component of clinical and/or translational research as defined by the NIH.
  • Applicants should demonstrate an interest in developing a career in multidisciplinary, translational biomedical research.
  • Applicants must have strong mentor support.

Funding

CTS trainees will initially receive one year of funding, including a stipend (current year level: $26,352*), tuition waiver and health insurance; $4,200 for training-related expenses (includes student health insurance); and a $1,500 travel allowance to attend and present research at the annual Translational Science conference. A second year of funding will be awarded based on satisfactory performance and research progress.

 

Please Note: If you currently have a Graduate School Fellowship, you can still participate in a CTS Team with your own funding.

Contact the program with any questions at sgard@ufl.edu.

*Per NIH NRSA guidelines, adjusted annually. If a CTS trainee’s current stipend is above $24,816, their mentor should supplement the stipend from non-federal funds to the original stipend level.


Important Dates

2023 CTS applications

Important Dates

To register for next recruiting event – Application Workshop via zoom

research day

Upcoming information sessions and events

Date start time special topic (if applicable)
Mon, Sept 12 10:00 AM Information Session
Tues, Sept 20 11:00 AM Information Session
Wed, Sept 28-cancelled 12:00 PM Information Session
Wed, Oct 5 3:00 PM Information Session
Tues, Oct 11 – cancelled 9:00 AM Information Session
Wed, Oct 19 2:00 PM Information Session
Tues, Oct 25 4:00 PM Information Session
Thurs, Nov 3 4:00 PM – zoom only Information Session
Wed, Nov 9 11:00 AM- zoom only Information Session
Thurs, Nov 17 11:00 AM – zoom only Information Session
Wed, Nov 30 `1:00 PM – zoom only Information Session
Tues, Dec 6 9:00 AM – In person (CG72) Information Session
Wed, January 25 5:00 PM Networking & Strategic Planning Workshop
Wed, February 22 4:00 PM Application Workshop


2022 Application information

Applicants must assemble an application packet that includes:

  • A completed CTS TL1 2023 application which includes a proposed research plan with individual and team components. 
  • Supporting materials from applicants:    Modified-NIH-Biosketch-Form-2021    Blank Biosketch Form
  • Supporting materials from proposed TL1 Team mentors:  joint letter of support and mentoring plan; NIH Biosketches.

New applications must be submitted electronically to sgard@ufl.edu by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 7. Paper documents will not be accepted. Finalists will be interviewed by the TL1 Advisory Committee in May 2023. New appointments will begin on August 16 for the 2023 academic year.


Contact

If you have questions about the program, please contact Susan Gardner at sgard@ufl.edu.