Vagelos Institute for Biomedical Research Education and Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research Institutional K Mentored Research Career Development Award

This service is provided by the Vagelos Institute for Biomedical Research Education and TRANSFORM.

Overview

The Vagelos Institute for Biomedical Research Education (VIBRE) Physician-Scientist Programs and the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research invite applications for the Institutional K Mentored Research Career Development Award, an institutionally funded program designed to support early-career physician-scientists as they develop independent research careers.

The program supports physician-scientists conducting research across the continuum of biomedical investigation. Both clinical/translational researchers and investigators pursuing preclinical or basic biomedical research are eligible and strongly encouraged to apply.

Institutional K scholars receive protected research time, multidisciplinary mentorship, individualized didactic training, and career development and grantsmanship support. Training plans are tailored to each scholar’s scientific focus, prior research training, and career goals.

Please note, this award is being piloted and evaluated in 2027, and future requirements are provisions are subject to change.

Program Highlights

All Institutional K scholars participate in a common career development program that includes:

• Mentored research with a multidisciplinary mentorship team
• Responsible Conduct of Research training
• Funding and grantsmanship training
• Weekly Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Colloquium
• Monthly K scholar cohort meetings
• ASPIRE! peer and near-peer mentoring
• Participation in the Irving Institute’s THRIVE retreat
• An individualized training and career development plan

Individualized Training Pathways

Clinical/Translational Research: Scholars pursuing clinical, translational, population-based, epidemiologic, or patient-oriented research will complete appropriate methodological training based on their prior experience. Scholars without equivalent prior training will complete the Master of Science in Patient-Oriented Research (MS/POR), Columbia Summer Research Institute (CSRI), or another program-approved course of study.

Preclinical/Basic Biomedical Research: Scholars pursuing preclinical or basic biomedical research will follow an individualized training pathway based on their scientific background and existing expertise. Program leadership will identify areas in which additional coursework or skills development would add value to the scholar’s research and career trajectory. Scholars may have access to relevant graduate-level training offered through VIBRE and other programs across VP&S.

The program is designed to recognize prior training and avoid unnecessary duplication of coursework.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Hold an MD or equivalent clinical medical degree
• Hold, or be eligible to hold by the award start date, an Assistant Professor title at Columbia University
• Propose a clearly defined mentored research project and career development plan
• Identify an appropriate multidisciplinary mentorship team
• Be able to devote the required protected effort to research and career development
• Be committed to developing an independent biomedical research career
• Not have previously received an NIH K award or served as PI of an R01, R29, or P50 award; recipients of R03 or R21 awards remain eligible

Questions about eligibility, the appropriate training pathway, prior coursework, or application requirements may be directed to: Harley Lynch, Associate Director for Workforce Development and Training Strategy in the Irving Institute.

Award Support

The Institutional K Award generally provides two years of mentored research and career development support. Scholars completing the MS in Patient-Oriented Research and surgeons or proceduralists may receive up to three years of support.

Scholars are expected to devote at least 75% protected effort to research and career development; surgeons or proceduralists must maintain at least 50% research effort.

Award support includes:

• Salary support of up to 75% of current salary, with a maximum of $90,000 per year
• Research-related expenses
• Tuition or approved course expenses
• Career development activities
• Research-related travel

The scholar’s home department is responsible for protecting the required research effort and providing salary and fringe support not covered by the award.

Deadline

Application deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET *
Earliest award start date: January 1, 2027

Apply now

Applications are submitted electronically through WebCAMP and include a research proposal, individualized training and career development plan, applicant and mentor biosketches, mentor and Department Chair letters, and supporting materials. Note that WebCAMP can only be accessed while on a Columbia or CUIMC network and you will only be able to complete the application while on campus or connected to the VPN.

Please review the full Institutional K Request for Applications for complete eligibility requirements, application instructions, required materials, and review criteria.

* We strongly recommend that you initiate your application and begin uploading documents at least one week prior to the deadline, as our system is known to have challenges when a high volume of applicants are logged in at the same time.

Cite it, Submit it, Share it!

If your research has benefited from one or more Irving Institute resources, please remember to:

• Cite our CTSA grant in any relevant publications, abstracts, chapters, and/or posters.
• Submit your publications to PubMed Central (PMC) for compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy.
• Share your research updates with us by sending an email to: irving_institute@cumc.columbia.edu.