Final Application Deadline: Monday, April 1, 2013

"What is the role of the PhD scientist in clinical and translational research?"

The Clinical and Translational Research Course for Ph.D. Students is a two-week intensive introductory course offered by the NIH Clinical Center (CC) in July 2013 at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus in Bethesda, Maryland.

The course is offered by the CC at no cost. However, participants are required to provide for their housing/lodging, food, and transportation during their participation in this course. Information on housing in the Bethesda, MD area can be found on the NIH Recreation and Welfare Association website: http://www.recgov.org/housing/ [disclaimer]. The NIH is located on the Red Line of the Washington, DC Metro Rail System [disclaimer] at the 'Medical Center' stop.

The purpose of the course is to demonstrate the role of PhD scientists in clinical and translational research, provide an overview and examples of how basic science and clinical observations lead to translational research, and increase awareness and access to Ph.D. role models, research resources, and potential career opportunities at the NIH.

The course will provide a foundation in four key areas of clinical and translational research:

• Study Design
• Protocol Development and Logistics of Implementation
• Ethical Considerations in Human Subjects Research
• Fundamentals of Drug Development and FDA Regulations.

This course is open to currently enrolled graduate students who meet the following requirements:

• Attending a U.S. (and U.S. territories) graduate programs leading to a Ph.D. degree in the basic sciences
• Completed at least one year of graduate study by July 2013
• Pursuing their first doctoral degree, and not dually-enrolled in a medical degree (MD-PhD) program

Students must also show an interest in career development and a commitment to research, as demonstrated in their personal statement and biosketch.

Enrollment will be limited to no more than 30 students for the 2013 course. Students must apply online. Applicants must submit the following:

• Letter of recommendation from academic advisor
  • Applicants will provide their advisor's information in the application. A request will be sent to the advisor to submit the letter of recommendation no later than April 15, 2013. Applicants will be evaluated on the strength of the advisor's endorsement.
     
• Brief personal statement (limit of 500 words)
  • Applicants will attach the personal statement as a PDF to the application. Applicants will be evaluated on the clarity of their stated research career goals and their justification of why they expect to benefit from a course in clinical and translational research, all within the 500 word limit.
     
• Biosketch
  • The biosketch must follow the following NIH format (22 KB). Applicants will attach the biosketch as a PDF to the application. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality of biomedical research activities.

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance in May 2013. Participants will be required to submit a letter of support from either their advisor or dean confirming their approval to participate.

For more information, please contact,

Juan Lertora, MD, PhD, Course Faculty Leader
Terra Moody, Course Coordinator
(301) 435-8015
phdcourse@mail.nih.gov

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