Academic Milestones
While recognizing that each KL2 scholar will have his or her own individualized program and timeline, the Center for Translational Science Activities (CTSA) Postdoctoral Programs Committee tracks certain progress milestones.
Shortly after you are accepted to the KL2 Mentored Career Development Program and before your start date, an orientation is held with you, your mentors and program leadership to provide information about milestones, requirements, timelines and expectations.
Milestone 1: Master's or certificate application (if applicable)
During the KL2 Program, you may choose to pursue either a master's degree or certificate in clinical and translational science. This is discussed and determined during your orientation meeting.
Milestone 2: Research proposal
Your detailed research proposal must be submitted by Oct. 1 of the year your funding began. It should be prepared according to National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines for an R01 application.
Milestone 3: Career development plan
Your career development plan, which should include specific details about your career goals, mentoring and training, should be submitted by Oct. 1 of the year your funding began.
Milestone 4: Annual progress report
Each year, you and your mentors must complete a progress report that will be submitted to NIH. The progress report template will be provided to you each February and must be returned by March 1.
Milestone 5: Annual review with CTSA Education Resources
In the spring of your first year in the KL2 Program, you are required to meet with the CTSA Postdoctoral Programs Executive Committee to discuss your progress toward publications, grant applications and other checkpoints.
You'll also be asked to complete an internal progress report form, which is used to track progress within the program. Each April thereafter, you'll receive a pre-filled form from the CTSA postdoctoral programs coordinator for you to update and return by early to mid-May. A meeting is scheduled only if the committee sees areas of concern in your report.
Milestone 6: Meetings, workshops and presentations
Throughout the KL2 Program, you'll:
- Participate in a monthly career development workshop series, which will cover topics such as presentation skills, authorship, professionalism and conflict management, mock study sections, and other career-related topics
- Attend weekly CTSA Grand Rounds
- Participate in at least one annual meeting of the National KL2 Program (travel expenses are covered by the grant)
During the second year of your appointment, you and your mentors will attend a CTSA Postdoctoral Programs Committee meeting to present your annual progress. Following your presentation, you'll be provided with written feedback regarding your progress and plans for the next year.
During your final year in the KL2 Program, you'll present your research findings to date at CTSA Grand Rounds.
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