We seek to identify junior faculty focused on research relevant to human health and to advance their academic careers by providing protected time, mentoring, training, and research funding. The ultimate goal is to develop clinical-translational researchers with the tools and training to become independent researchers.

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Scholar Program Description

The K12 program supports Scholars in developing and conducting an outstanding clinical-translational research projects at any one of the NJ ACTS partner institutions–Rutgers, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and RWJBarnabas Health. It is anticipated that 3-4 scholars will be selected.

Candidates are required to have 80% protected time for research during the program (for surgeons or other procedure-oriented clinicians, a minimum of 50% protected time for research is required). The K12 program provides funding for 80 percent protected time for research with salary support not exceeding $120,000/yr (which is exclusive of fringe benefits – the total amount must not exceed $180,000 in direct costs per year) (for the 80% effort); and $10,000/yr for research supplies or equipment, technical personnel, tuition support, and professional travel. Importantly, it creates a community of junior faculty: The Society of Scholars, which provides a supportive, interdisciplinary environment for junior faculty to acquire the skills and experience needed to become successful, independent clinical-translational scientists. This is accomplished through coursework, mentored research and career development programs. Scholars can receive up to two years of support with sufficient progress. Successful candidates will receive K12 appointments starting July 1, 2025.

• Be a junior faculty member at Rutgers, NJIT, or RWJBarnabas Health.
• Be a US citizen or a permanent resident of the US.
• Have received a DDS, DMD, MD, MD/PhD, PharmD, PhD or foreign equivalent degree from an accredited institution.
• Be committed to a research program in clinical-translational science, and propose a clinical- translational research project with a research question having a strong potential to impact the field.
• Not currently have or previously received a R01, R03, R21, R34, R36, P01, P50, U34, X02, or subproject, or a K01, K07, K08, K12, KL2, K22, K23, K25, K30, K76, K99/R00.

For complete eligibility criteria, and application process/requirements view the “Scholar Program Description”.

• Letter of Intent
  • Letter of Intent (LOI) consists of no more than two pages outlining (1) applicant’s career development
    objectives, (2) title of proposed project, and specific aims, (3) name(s) of primary mentor/co-mentor(s), (4) list
    of 3 referees (including name, departmental affiliation and institution). In addition to the letter of intent, please
    include the applicant, primary mentor/co-mentor’s NIH format biosketches as well as Other Support
    documents. Combine the documents in the order listed above as a single electronic PDF package. Submit to
    the K12 Administrator at Email: k12facultydevelopment@rbhs.rutgers.edu by the LOI deadline. Please ensure
    the Letter of Intent is named in the format: “[Last Name]_[First Initial]_LOI_K12Program.
• Full application:
  • The Online Application Form
  • 3 Letters of Reference submitted directly to the Program
  • A Career Development Proposal

Please view the “Proposal Guidance and Requirements” for details on the required components of the career development proposal.

KEY DATES/DEADLINES:

• Release Date: February 18, 2025
• Letter of Intent Due: March 14, 2025 at 5 p.m. EST (Applicants will be notified within 10 days after the LOI deadline whether their LOI is approved to move to Phase 2, if modifications are needed, or if it will not advance.)
• Full Application Due: April 23, 2025 at 5 p.m. EST
• Interviews: May 2025
• Notification of Awards: June 4, 2025
• Award Start Date: July 1, 2025

For more information, please contact:

K12 Program Administrator Tracey Sharp at k12facultydevelopment@rbhs.rutgers.edu