Does the five-page limit for the proposed research and career development program also include references?
No.
When does the application close?
The application closes at 11:59 p.m. on the application due date.
Do you accept applications from external institutions?
No. You must have an appointment at Duke University Medical Center (as of the start of the funding period) to be eligible for the Duke CTSA KL2.
My mentor is not in the School of Medicine. Is this allowed?
Yes.
My mentor is not affiliated with Duke. Is this allowed?
It is strongly preferred that your primary mentor be at Duke. However, if a mentor outside of Duke can best provide you the guidance and knowledge pertinent to your research project and interests, your primary mentor does not have to be located at Duke. If your primary mentor is not located at Duke, it is best if s/he is nearby; in any case, your mentor must be able to meet the expectations for primary mentorship requirements (usually weekly meetings). As with all applications, the mentoring plan, including meeting frequency, must be clearly outlined in the application. If your mentor is not at Duke, your mentorship team must include at least one Duke faculty member.
Can a mentor be on more than one person’s application?
Yes.
I was on a K12 for 3 years some time ago. I would like to get back on the research track, and am interested in the Duke CTSA KL2. Am I eligible?
Institutional K12 recipients may be eligible for the Duke CTSA KL2. The cumulative length of time under NIH-sponsored KL2 programs (and most K12 programs) should be no more than 5 years. The minimum amount of time a scholar may receive support through the K12/KL2 award is typically 2 years, leaving no more than 3 years of support under an additional KL2 program award. Furthermore, the applicant would need to justify additional mentored research training or training in a team context.
Is there a time limit on how long you have been at the junior faculty rank? Can I apply even if I have been on faculty for 10 years?
There is no specific restriction on how long an applicant may be on faculty. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, you are eligible to apply.
I have an external K (ex: K08, K23) under review, may I submit an application for a KL2?
You may not have both a KL2 and an external K under review at the same time. Therefore, you are not allowed to have an external K application (original or revised) under review at the time that you submit a KL2 application. Similarly, you are not allowed to submit an external K application while you have a KL2 under review.
If I do not get the KL2 on my first submission, how many resubmissions are allowed?
There is no limit on the number of resubmissions. All resubmissions will be reviewed as new applications along with all other submissions for a given cycle. That is, although you may change parts of your applications based on comments you received from the initial review, you will not have the opportunity to include a statement detailing those changes. Also, the review committee may or may not include reviewers who reviewed your application during a previous submission. In short, the submission and review process are the same for new applications and resubmissions.
Is a single combined division chief/chair letter appropriate or do these letters need to be entirely separate letters?
It’s better to have two separate letters. Both your division chief and your department chair should indicate their commitment to 75% total protected effort for the KL2 work. When appropriate (e.g., primary appointment in hospitalist medicine or more than one division), applicants must provide a letter from each academic division chief regarding approval of effort distribution.
Is only one letter of support needed for the KL2?
All KL2 applicants should have a total of four letters of support: one letter from the primary mentor, one letter from the Department Chair, one letter from the Division Chief or Center Director, and one from an individual who is knowledgeable about the applicant's prior accomplishments. If you do not have a Division Chief or Center Director, then you should submit two letters from individuals who are knowledgeable about your prior accomplishments. The additional letter(s) do not have to come from Duke faculty; you may choose to get letter(s) from anyone knowledgeable about your prior accomplishments and suitability for the KL2 program. The additional letter(s) may come from secondary mentor(s) if he or she can also speak to your prior accomplishments.
Can I submit additional letters of support?
No, additional supplemental documents will not be accepted.
If I begin the online application form, can I and stop and save it to submit later? Or once I begin, do I have to complete and submit it?
Yes, you can save your application form and submit it later.
Can I complete international research as a KL2 scholar?
No. NIH/NCATS will not support international work on the KL2 grant, so all research projects must be based in the United States.
I was PI/Co-PI on an R21 with direct costs in excess of $100,000. The R21 ends prior to the KL2 appointment. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes, you are eligible to apply to the KL2 as long as the R21 with direct costs in excess of $100,000 ends prior to the start of the KL2.
I recently submitted an R21. Can the aims for the KL2 award be the same or similar in scope? Are there any limitations with this and applying for the K award?
If the aims of the R21 and KL2 are the same, you are eligible to apply for the KL2 but if you receive both the KL2 and the R21, you will have to choose between the two awards. However, if the aims of the 2 awards are different and you devote the minimum required effort to the KL2 (typically 75%), then you may receive both the R21 and KL2. Per the new NIH guidelines below, for effort beyond the minimum required for the K award (typically 75%), K scholars may now devote up to 25% effort and receive salary support on a federal project as a Co-Investigator or other role, including PI, on the project as long as the specific aims of the other support grant(s) differ from their K award.
Per the guidance, “the remaining effort (up to 25%) can be devoted to additional research, teaching, clinical work, or other efforts complementary to career development of the K awardee.”
I am doing laboratory based research. Can I apply?
For applicants doing laboratory based research, the clinical and/or translational relevance must be clearly stated. The KL2 has several successful laboratory based awardees, and you are encouraged to speak with them.
For additional information regarding K awards and eligibility, please see the Duke Office of Research Administration's K award resources.