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Scholar and Research Programs

The CTSA program supports two types of formal clinical research training awards at CTSA institutions. All CTSA institutions have a KL2 program, which offers formal research training experience to scholars who already have an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree. Many CTSA institutions also include programs that provide predoctoral trainees with an introduction to clinical and translational research through the TL1 program. Both programs combine formal course work with direct research experience, and many programs offer opportunities to pursue additional advanced degrees.

In addition, CTSA awards provide support for curriculum development, faculty mentoring and administrative staff who oversee training programs.

All students, including those at CTSA partner institutions, have access to CTSA research facilities, which may include:

  • Training courses, seminars and workshops,
  • Use of specialized equipment and databases,
  • Access to clinical research mentor expertise,
  • Administrative support for research protocols, and
  • Funding for pilot research projects.

Learn more about specific training opportunities at individual CTSA funded institutions. See below for more information about CTSA training programs.

KL2 Mentored Clinical Research Scholar Program

This program offers institutional support to provide mentored research career development to clinical investigators who have recently completed professional training and who are commencing basic, translational and/or clinical research. The CTSA institution selects KL2 candidates providing them with a rich career development experience in a multidisciplinary setting. KL2 appointees — referred to as Clinical Research KL2 Scholars — come from a variety of fields (e.g., medicine, dentistry, nursing, the behavioral sciences, biostatistics and epidemiology) and can receive up to five years of career development support.

TL1 Clinical Research Training Program

This program provides institutional support to students seeking a practical research introduction to clinical and translational research. The CTSA institution selects TL1 candidates providing full-time research training support for predoctoral PhD candidates and combined health-professional doctorate-master's candidates as well as postdoctoral fellows seeking additional training in clinical research. The goal of the TL1 Program is to increase the number of well-trained clinician-scientists who will assume leadership roles in the design and oversight of future clinical investigations critical to the overall mission of NCATS and the NIH.

Related Links

CTSA Scholar Highlights

Ilseung Cho

A core component of the CTSA program is training, cultivating and sustaining future leaders in the biomedical research workforce. New York University School of Medicine’s Ilseung Cho, M.D., M.S., attests that his school’s CTSA support has made crucial and ongoing contributions to his professional growth and achievements.