Junior Faculty: Penn CTSA KL2/K12 Mentored Career Development Award
RFA for Penn CTSA Mentored Career Development Award
The Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT) is pleased to announce a request for applications to the Penn CTSA KL2/K12 Mentored Career Development Award.
The application deadline for funding beginning July 1, 2026 is December 1, 2025.
The award seeks to support early career faculty focused on Clinical and Translational Science (CTS). Scholars are awarded a minimum of two years of salary support commensurate with 75% effort (capped at $90,000) plus benefits, in addition to $25,000 each year for training and research related expenses.
Review the sections below for more information about eligiblity, program elements, application form and requirements, and answers to frequently asked questions.
The Penn CTSA KL2/K12 Mentored Career Development Award program ensures each scholar engages in an individualized, comprehensive, flexible research training and career development experience. Visit the program page to learn more.
Faculty appointment as of July 1, 2026 in the Medical, Dental, Veterinary, or Nursing Schools; including Assistant Professors within the first 3 years of their faculty appointment, Instructors, & Research Associates
US citizen or permanent resident status
Minimum 75% protected time for research and career development. Procedural disciplines will require minimum 50% protected time, which must be requested from NIH
Appropriate research projects should be translational in nature, including translation of discoveries into human experimentation and implementation into clinical practice.
All information and documents will be submitted in the application system.
Required Materials
Research Statement
Specific Aims (1 page limit)
Research Strategy (6-page limit)
A sound research project consistent with the candidate's level of research development and objectives of the career development plan must be provided. The research description should demonstrate the quality of the candidate's research thus far, the novelty, significance, creativity and approach, as well as the ability of the candidate to carry out the research.
The application must also describe the relationship between the mentor's research and the candidate's proposed research plan.
Research Strategy should be organized in three sections: Significance, Innovation, Approach
There is not a specific required format for the budget.
The award provides $25,000 per appointment year for allowable research expenses. Depending upon the scholar’s needs, these funds may be utilized for research expenses such as supplies, equipment, technical personnel, or tuition.
Video Recording
Applicants will be required to record and submit a video providing a compelling vision of the proposed research. The purpose of the video is to provide reviewers with an understanding of your project and your vision for how the program will support both your scientific and career development goals. The video may not exceed 5 minutes and does not allow for the inclusion of slides. The application will allow for unlimited attempts to record.
In the Funding Section of the application, please enter any planned grant submissions, pending, or confirmed funding awards in the section provided.
Personal Statement (3-page limit):
Candidate Background
Describe the candidate's commitment to a health-related research career. Describe all the candidate's professional responsibilities in the grantee institution and elsewhere and describe their relationship to the proposed activities on the career award.
Describe prior training and how it relates to the objectives and long-term career plans of the candidate.
Describe the candidate's research efforts to this point in his/her research career, including any publications, prior research interests and experience.
Provide evidence of the candidate's potential to develop into an independent investigator.
Career Goals and Objectives
Describe a systematic plan: (1) that shows a logical progression from prior research and training experiences to the research and career development experiences that will occur during the career award period and then to independent investigator status; and (2) that justifies the need for further career development to become an independent investigator.
Candidate’s Plan for Career Development/Training Activities During Award Period
The candidate and the mentor(s) are jointly responsible for the preparation of the career development plan. A career development timeline is often helpful.
The didactic and the research aspects of the plan must be designed to develop the necessary knowledge and research skills in scientific areas relevant to the candidate's career goals.
Describe the professional responsibilities/activities including other research projects beyond the minimum required 75% full-time professional effort commitment to the career award. Explain how these responsibilities/activities will help ensure career progression to achieve independence as an investigator.
Primary Mentor's NIH biosketch and other support
Letters of Support will be requested in the References section of the application
Three Letters of Support Required
Primary Mentor, Institutional Support (Department Chair or Division Chief), and a third letter from an additional mentor or collaborator.
Letter requests will be sent via the application system. These may be sent at any time and do not require that other elements of your application be uploaded.
Applicants should communicate with their letter writers to let them know they will receive requests with instructions to upload letters from the application system.
Primary Mentor Letter Guidelines (2-page limit - share these guidelines with your Primary Mentor)
The commitment to mentor the candidate
The suitability of the candidate education objectives for stated career goals
The feasibility and relevance of stated area of research to be undertaken during the program to include:
The resources available to complete the research
The availability of collaborative relationships that may be required to undertake the research question
Mentor's prior experience mentoring translational research trainees
Institutional Commitment - Department Chair/Division Chief Letter Guidelines (2-page limit - share these guidelines with your letter writer)
How the applicant’s experience and research align with goals of the CTSA mentored career development award and how the proposed research is relevant to the department’s/division’s research goals
Commitment of the division/department to the scholar’s research direction and career goals
Guarantee of 75% protected time for the scholar *for interventional subspecialties, 50% is acceptable*
Availability of resources for the mentor and scholar
Detail other funding available to the applicant; include # of years of support available (dept support, other grant funding, etc. - please be specific)
One-to-one application support is available! Contact us and we'll be glad to discuss your potential application or questions. In addition, we've created a list of FAQs available on this page.
Can I have other active applications pending for NIH mentored career development awards (e.g. K08, K23)?
You may have them under review when you apply, and should indicate this in your application, but you may not have them under review at the time of appointment to the KL2/K12; please discuss your plans with us to navigate this timeline.
What program requirements are attached to the funding award?
Appointees are required to participate in all aspacts of the KL2/K12 Program.
Am I required to enroll in a master’s degree program?
No, you are not required to enroll in a master’s degree program; we ask that you propose an education program tailored to your needs in your application, which may or may not include a master’s degree program; contact us to discuss options that best suit your interests.
Will this award impact total years of support eligiblity for future K applications?
Many NIH institutes limit total mentored K award support years. As a best practice, always contact the PO at the relevant institute. They can clarify institute-specific policies and help tailor your application.
How many funding slots are available?
The Penn CTSA K12 is currently under review at the NIH. The total number of available slots for July 2026 appointment is not yet confirmed. In prior years, 4 - 5 slots have been available for appointment.
Does the appointment have to start on 7/1/26?
Yes, but there may be opportunities for exceptions; contact us to discuss your situation.
Is 75% effort toward the grant required?
Yes. However, clinicians in interventional subspecialties may request less effort for the specific purpose of maintaining specialty clinical competency skills. These applicants may request a minimum of 50% effort in their application. A strong justification for the reduced level of effort must be included.
What is the application timeline?
Applications are due December 1 - including all letters of support; Applicants may be selected for virtual interviews.
Applicants selected to interview will meet with up to 4 interviewers.
Applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be considered. Note: a complete application includes all letters of recommendation. The deadline for letters is the same as the application deadline.
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