Abstract
Nurturing the development of cardiovascular physician-scientist investigators is critical for sustained progress in cardiovascular science and improving human health. The transition from an inexperienced trainee to an independent physician-scientist is a multifaceted process requiring a sustained commitment from the trainee, mentors, and institution. A cornerstone of this training process is a career development (K) award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These awards generally require 75% of the awardee's professional effort devoted to research aims and diverse career development activities carried out in a mentored environment over a 5-year period. We report on recent success rates for obtaining NIH K awards, provide strategies for preparing a successful application and navigating the early career period for aspiring cardiovascular investigators, and offer cardiovascular division leadership perspectives regarding K awards in the current era. Our objective is to offer practical advice that will equip trainees considering an investigator path for success.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1816-1827 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of the American College of Cardiology |
Volume | 66 |
Issue number | 16 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 20 2015 |
Keywords
- awards and prizes
- biomedical research
- early-career investigators
- fellowships and scholarships
- grants
- mentors