Training Grants and Initiatives
Graduate students in the Molecular Biology, Biological Chemistry, and Neuroscience Programs are not required to secure independent funding to continue their education.
All PhD students admitted to the Molecular Biology Program and Biological Chemistry Program who remain in good academic standing receive financial support throughout their graduate training.
We encourage eligible students to apply for external funding as part of their graduate student experience. There are a number of internal National Institutes of Health (NIH) Training Grants for which students may apply in addition to external NRSAs and fellowships.
The Biomedical Research Education Office (BREO) has information about a variety of funding opportunities.
https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/breo/graduate-students/fellowships
https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/breo/grants
NIH Institutional Training Grants foster collaborations amongst departments, programs, and strategic initiatives. With this approach, we hope to cultivate a robust training environment for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees and to enrich investigator research programs.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY TRAINING GRANT (T32)
Application Due: Wednesday, November 1, 2023
All application materials should be submitted to Teresa Upton.
Applications must include the following:
- The attached Application Summary page, completed.
- Your curriculum vitae.
- A short (2-4 pages) carefully thought-out summary of your research project with title. Summarize the problem (include some strategic literature references), and what you have accomplished so far. There is a limit of four pages, not including references or figures. Font must be 11 pt Arial with 1-inch margins.
- One paragraph about your career goals.
- Postdoctoral applicants should include copies of graduate transcripts.
Submit items 1-5 as a single pdf file no larger than 5 MB to tupton@genetics.utah.edu
- Request supporting letters from your current faculty advisor and two additional professors who are familiar with your research. We would like your references to comment on your current aptitude for science and your future promise for biological research. Rank scores are helpful (for example “top 5% of postdocs in the department who I have known”).
Letters should be sent electronically to tupton@genetics.utah.edu
Training grant policies you should be aware of are:
- The primary criteria for selection will be: (1) scientific excellence and (2) explicitly stated relevance of the proposed research to the general field of developmental biology.
- Trainees are supported for a maximum of two years.
- NIH requires that all trainees be a U.S. citizen, U.S. noncitizen national or a permanent resident of the U.S.
- Pre-doctoral students must take a Developmental Biology course during their training period.
- Pre-doctoral trainees must have passed their Capstone exams before applying.
- All trainees are required to participate in the Developmental Biology Interest Group RIP, where they will present their research, and in the annual DBIG retreat. For further information, please see our website: http://www.dbtg.utah.edu/
INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING IN CANCER, CAREGIVING & END-OF-LIFE CARE (T32)
- Program Director
- Program Administrator
- Openings
- Interdisciplinary Training in Cancer, Caregiving and End-of-Life Care Applications
4 graduate student and 4 postdoctoral slots for support
- Cover Page with your name, address, email, and phone number
- CV
- Research statement related to cancer, caregiving, and end-of-life care. You are limited
to 3 pages to
- describe your career goals
- identify a potential mentor(s) and provide a rationale for your selection
- identify goals for the training period and how they match with the opportunities available
- provide a brief summary of your research experience and plans for advancing your research program
- discuss how your focus fits with our training model.
- Transcripts
- Academic writing sample
- Brief summary (one page max) of your years of prior research
- Cover Page with your name, address, email, and phone number
- CV
- Research statement related to cancer, caregiving, and end-of-life care. You are limited
to three pages to:
- describe your career goals
- identify a potential mentor and provide a rationale for your selection
- identify goals for the training period and how they match with the opportunities available
- provide a brief summary of your research experience and plans for advancing your research program
- discuss how your focus fits with our training model
- Summary (one page max) of your research experience
- Two letters of reference that address your skills and potential as a nurse scientist in cancer, caregiving, and end-of-life care. If you are within five years of completing your dissertation, one reference should be from the chair of your Supervisory Committee
INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING PROGRAM IN COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES TO DIABETES AND METABOLISM RESEARCH (T32)
- Program Director
- Program Administrator
- Openings
- Training Program in Computational Approaches to Diabetes and Metabolism Research Applications
3 pre-doctoral slots
Application Due: September 19, 2022
Overview of the Program
The University of Utah Interdisciplinary Training T32 Program in Computational Approaches to Diabetes and Metabolism Research will cross-train a cadre of predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees in the computational and mathematical sciences and in the biological basis of diabetes and obesity. These bioinformatics scientist trainees will gain the expertise and leadership skills to apply computational and mathematical methods to complex biological questions that will ultimately impact the prevention, treatment, and outcomes of people with diabetes and related metabolic diseases. This training program will consist of a combination of mentored research and career development training, coursework, and extensive interactions with faculty and trainees across campus and beyond.
INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING PROGRAM IN METABOLISM (T32)
- Program Director
- Program Administrator
- Openings
- Interdisciplinary Training Program in Metabolism Applications
- Trainees
2 graduate student and 2 postdoctoral slots for support
Open to Application: July 1, 2022
Anticipated Application Due: May 1, 2022
Applications should be submitted as a single pdf file, sent electronically to Jessica Kieper
- Christopher Simeone (Human Genetics, Pezzolesi)
NEURO-IMMUNOLOGY TRAINING GRANT (T32)
2020
- Erik Hughes (Microbiology & Immunology, Tantin's Lab)
- Jacob Thompson (Microbiology & Immunology, O'Connell's Lab)
Utah Genetics Training Program (T32)
PITCH (PROGRAM FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY) (T32)
Applications Due: August 23, 2024 at 12PM by e-mail to Amity Mower amity.mower@biochem.utah.edu
Application Guidlines Document
Faculty letters/forms are due by August 23, 2024 at 12PM by e-mail to Amity Mower amity.mower@biochem.utah.edu
2020
- Deirdre Mack (Biochemistry, Shen's Lab)
- Paul Spaltenstein (Biochemistry, Kay's Lab)
- Emily Tippetts (Pharmacology and Toxicology, Peterson's Lab)
2019
- Jaime Sepulveda (Biochemistry, Sigala/Hill's Lab)
2018
- Helen Donelick (Biochemistry, Bass/Shen's Lab)
- Judah Evangelista (Biochemistry, Kay's Lab)
TRAINING PROGRAM IN MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS (T32)
2018 - 2020
- Amanda Richards (Pathology, Mulvey's Lab)
- Steven Denham (Pathology, Brown's Lab)
2016 - 2018
- Clay Carey (Human Genetics, Elde's Lab)
- Sarah Whiteside (Pathology, Weis's Lab)
- Erin Larragoite (Pathology, Planelles's Lab)
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH BIOMEDICAL INFORMATICS TRAINING GRANT (T15)
VISION RESEARCH TRAINING GRANT (T32)
TRAINING PROGRAM IN GENOMIC MEDICINE
UTAH CTSI INTERDISCIPLINARY SPHERES OF TRANSLATION ACROSS THE RESEARCH SPECTRUM (STARS) T32 TRAINING PROGRAM
Application Due: April 4, 2023 at 11:59PM
Link to the online application
Required Documents:
- Curriculum vitae, including the following: a) Degree(s) earned, include month/year earned; b) Research Experience and other Positions, include month/year of start/end dates; c) Identify any prior NRSA or other grant support; d) presentations; e) publications; f) awards/honors received.
- Project Abstract. A lay-science summary of the intended project, including title and scientific aims. Font must be 11 pt Arial with at least .5 inch margins. Max 1 page (including Figures/Tables), excluding references.
- Letter of Interest. Should include: description of prior research and experience; how the project (Project Abstract) fits in the translational spectrum; career goals; rationale for interest in the T32 Program, and description of how participation in the Program would facilitate achievement of those goals; and a plan for current and/or potential contributions to diversity through teaching, professional activity, and/or service (EDI plan).
- 1-2 letter/s of support from previous training supervisors. Letters should be sent directly to lyalya.sultanova@hsc.utah.edu.
- One letter of support from a T32 mentor (selected primary scientific mentor) that describes their commitment to mentoring you and a description of how the proposed research project would fit in with the mentor’s research program. The letter should state their commitment to you to participate in this program and their commitment to multidisciplinary science and working within a framework of multiple mentors. Letter should be sent directly to lyalya.sultanova@hsc.utah.edu
Additional Training Grant Policies that you should be aware of:
- The primary criteria for selection will be a) scientific excellence; b) relevance of the proposed research to clinical and/or translational science and its impact on future career; c) good alignment with a primary mentor; and d) potential for future success (publications, grants, etc).
- We strongly encourage applications from a) underrepresented minorities, b) disabled individuals, c) individuals from a disadvantaged background, and d) women.
- Successful predoctoral candidates must have completed their required coursework. We particularly encourage applications from postdoctoral trainees in year 1 or 2 of training.
- Support is provided for a maximum of 2 years. Second year support is subject to evaluation by the training grant steering committee and availability of grant funds. In certain circumstances, only one year of support may be available.
- NIH requires that trainees be US citizens, US noncitizen national or permanent residents of the US. Trainees cannot have previously received an NSRA grant.
For additional information, please contact LYALYA SULTANOVA at lyalya.sultanova@hsc.utah.edu
NINDS Training Grant - Training in the Development of Novel Interventions for the Treatment of Neurological and Neurobehavioral Disorders (T-32)
1 Predoctoral and 1 postdoctoral/clinical fellow
Application Due: Monday, May 31, 2021
Required Documents:
-
Cover letter expressing interest in participating in the program, and description of the applicant’s career goals, and description of how participation on the T32 Training Grant will support the applicant in their pursuit of those career goals.
-
List of three mentors (one basic scientist, one clinician/clinician-scientist, and one scientist/clinician with translational experience; see attached list of training faculty; applicants should contact the PD, Dr. Keefe (k.keefe@utah.edu) prior to submitting the application, if they would like to have other faculty fulfilling these roles).
-
Letters of support from each of the three proposed mentors with stated commitment to train the student and participate actively in the program activities.
-
CV/resume
-
Copy of undergraduate and graduate transcripts and GRE scores (predoctoral applicants only; GRE scores if available)
-
Research proposal for the applicant’s research project (NRSA-format; i.e., 1-page Specific Aims page, 6-page Research Strategy)
Please send all required application materials in a single PDF file in the order provided above, with the exception of the letters of support, to Ms. Melaney Mckellar (Melaney.mckellar@pharm.utah.edu). Letters of support should be sent directly to Ms. Mckellar by the individual writing the letter. All materials must be received by close of business, May 31, 2021.
Computational Approaches to Diabetes and Metabolism T32 Training Grant
- Program Director
- Program Administrator
- Openings
- Computational Approaches to Diabetes and Metabolism Application
2 postdoctoral
Application Due: July 8, 2023
Program Description and Application Details
Application Instructions:
Applications should include the items below. Items 1-6 should be compiled into a single PDF and emailed to Barbara.saffel@utah.edu by July 8, 2023.
- Computational Approaches to Diabetes and Metabolism Training Grant Cover Page (attached tothis email).
- Your curriculum vitae, including the following: a) List of all publications to date; b) Degree(s) earned,including both the month and year earned; c) Research Experience and other Positions, including both the month and year of each start/end date; d) Identify any prior NRSA support.
- A short (2 page) carefully thought out summary of your proposed research project. Summarize theproblem (include some strategic literature references), preliminary data, and your research goals for your tenure as a Graduate Student or Postdoctoral Trainee on this training grant. There is a limit of 2 pages, including figures, but excluding References. (References may be included as additional pages). Font must be 11pt Arial with 1 inch margins.
- Mentorship Plan (1/2 page max). This should be developed in collaboration with both computationaland biological mentors. This plan should address the role of each mentor in your mentoring committee and proposed training.
- Statement of Career Goals (1/2 page max).
- For graduate students - Copies of your academic transcripts, both undergraduate and graduate.
- For graduate students - Copy of the original report of your GRE scores. Please state prior degree,University and GPA.
- Two recommendation letters, one from each proposed computational and biological mentor. At leastone mentor’s letter should comment on the independence with which the applicant composed the proposal. Letters of recommendation may be emailed directly to barbara.saffel@utah.edu.
HUMAN GENETICS SCHOLARS INITIATIVE
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Human Genetics Scholars Initiative, a
new program to advance diversity and inclusion in the genetics and genomics workforce.
The program will:
Identify, mentor and help prepare a select group of high-potential, diverse early-career
individuals for professional success.
Develop and sustain a community of researchers across generations commited to diversity
and inclusion, who are willing to foster sustained attention to these issues in their
research institutions and training programs.
Applications for the 2021-23 program will open in May 2021.
For more information please click here.
PILOT AND FEASIBILITY AWARD FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH—WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY DIABETES RESEARCH CENTER COLLABORATION
Grants of up to $40,000 (direct costs) for one year will be awarded.
Qualifications:
- New faculty members involved in diabetes-related research who have not yet obtained independent funding. Applications from these individuals are most likely to be supported by this mechanism.
- Established investigators not involved in diabetes-related research who propose feasibility studies related to diabetes.
- Established investigators involved in diabetes-related research who propose feasibility studies clearly not related to previously supported research.
If you are interested in applying, please reach out to Dr. Simon Fisher at simon.fisher@u2m2.utah.edu