Clinician-Scientist Mentored Training: The K12, K08 and K23 NIH Program
The Wilmer Eye Institute is a premier ophthalmic clinical, research and teaching center, having trained more clinician-scientists through the K award mechanisms than any other institution (K08, K12, K23). Our mentored scholars have an unsurpassed record of subsequent and ongoing NIH R01 funding and most have maintained full-time faculty teaching and research roles as leaders of multidisciplinary teams. Additionally:
- Wilmer’s 135 full time faculty members are #1 in awarded federal vision research dollars.
- Wilmer’s K12 program was the first to be funded by the National Eye Institute.
- Of those whose K awards were completed at Wilmer, 66% have achieved NIH funding as principal investigators of R series grants, substantially exceeding the recent published success rate of 13% for K awardees.
Our goal is to facilitate the career of clinician—scientists for the vision research community through multidisciplinary training programs that add new approaches to the understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of visual disorders. Each scholar’s program has a mentor team with integrated and diverse expertise available among our research faculty. Research areas of study include laboratory or clinically-based programs for any of the ocular disease areas that represent high priorities for the National Eye Institute, including but not limited to ocular genetics, molecular biology, therapeutics, bioengineering, “big data” methodology, personalized medicine, and behavioral/quality of life effects of clinical conditions.
Typically, K programs begin immediately after subspecialty fellowship training. The K mechanism guarantees at least 50% protected time for mentored training, at the salary level commensurate with one’s rank, while allowing continued clinical and surgical activity. The Wilmer K12 program chair and committee regularly review each scholar’s program to optimize the training experience. Candidates on a K12 are expected to transition to either a K08 or K23 award. Wilmer’s extramural grant review committee can help candidates to optimize their grant before submission to the NEI. The program is open to US citizens or residents with M.D., M.D./Ph.D., O.D., O.D./Ph.D., and D.V.M. degrees.
Wilmer has shown that the trend toward fewer clinician—scientists holding grants can be reversed at institutions with active recruitment, diverse faculty mentor skills, detailed attention to scholar training programs, and departmental financial support early in the career of the clinician—scientist.
If you are interested in discussing this career path, either at Wilmer or elsewhere, an initial telephone discussion can be scheduled with Harry Quigley, M.D. at [email protected] or James Handa, M.D. at [email protected], co-chairs of Wilmer's K12 program.
K Awards in Ophthalmology and Vision Science: A Perspective from the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute
The Wilmer Eye Institute K Program
In this session moderated by Wilmer Director Peter J. McDonnell, senior Wilmer clinician-scientists provide insights on the value of the K12 program and a detailed overview of Wilmer’s grant review process, as well as insights on the success of Wilmer scholars who have trained under K mentored programs and their advice for success.
Individual K Scholars Discuss Their Experiences
Who better to provide insights and perspectives on the K award experience than successful awardees? In this session, early career clinician-scientists, as well as those who are further along in their careers, share what they brought to their K awards and how their research has evolved over time.
The K12 Departmental Grant Programs | Directors’ Perspectives
Program directors from NEI K12 programs around the country discuss the structure of their programs, how applicants are selected, characteristics associated with high levels of success, and which programs have been successful in converting their K12 awardees into their own individual K grants and beyond.
Wilmer Rising Assistant Professor Endowed Positions
Jonathan Javitt, M.D., M.P.H., describes Wilmer’s unique program aimed at funding young scientists and approaches ophthalmology departments can consider to help junior faculty and young clinician-scientists secure additional funding.
The Johns Hopkins KL2 Program
Kelly Gebo, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Johns Hopkins KL2 program, describes the goals and benefits of the program; its interdisciplinary and collaborative nature; various tracks, opportunities and required activities; and the application selection process. She also provides examples of recent scholar achievements. #WilmerEye #JohnsHopkins #WilmerEyeInstitute
The K Program | An Overview
Neeraj Agarwal, Ph.D., provides an overview of NEI mentored career development opportunities and shares information for prospective K applicants, including the mechanisms of grants, the unique features of each, review criteria, and information on supplemental awards.
