K to R Program
Applications are open for program enrollment in January. Apply by November 20, 2025!
The ITMAT Ed K to R program is designed to support early career scientists moving from the Mentored K to Independent Funding. The program is built upon 4 keys to independent funding success: (1) acquiring preliminary data, (2) demonstrating record of publication, (3) enhancing grant writing skills, and (4) personal development. These topics are addressed through coursework and monthly sessions and educational opportunities focused on grant development.
We welcome junior faculty to join us who are pursuing clinical and translational science funded by a mentored career development award (NIH K award or equivalent). The translational science spectrum represents each stage of research along the path from the biological basis of health and disease to interventions that improve the health of individuals and the public.
Participant Eligibility:
- Current faculty appointment in the Perelman School of Medicine. Preference is given to faculty on the CE track.
- Current NIH K award (K01, K08, K23) or equivalent foundation/association career development award (faculty on K12 or KL2 may join if they are actively applying for an NIH R01 grant). Note that K99 awardees are not eligible. We encourage faculty to join in their second or third year of K funding.
- Actively working towards an NIH R01 grant submission (or similar non-NIH independent research grant)
- Actively working on clinical or translational science research. The translational science spectrum represents each stage of research along the path from the biological basis of health and disease to interventions that improve the health of individuals and the public.
- Available to meet online, on Wednesdays from 11a-1p ET.
- Available to enroll in MTR 6230; PSOM Faculty may be eligible for Penn tuition benefits.
- In order to submit an application, you will need to submit your R01 draft aims.
Start or manage your application
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Program Structure
The 1-year program begins on January 21, 2026 with an introduction to the program.
Program components include the MTR 6230 Writing an NIH R01 Grant, monthly virtual sessions and help in setting up a mock study section for your R01 application.
Close modal dialogProgram Structure
Program components include the MTR 6230 Writing an NIH R01 Grant, followed by monthly virtual sessions and help in setting up a mock study section for your R01 application. The 1-year program begins on January 21, 2026 with an introduction to the program.
Grant Development
- MTR 6230 - Writing an NIH R01 Grant, Spring Term, Wednesdays, 11am-1pm ET, January 21 - April 22, 2026
- All students will enroll in MTR 6230 to gain the foundational knowledge of writing an R01 grant; students are required to have a draft of their specific aims.
- Meetings will then take place on the last Wednesday of each month (11am-1 pm) from May until the end of the calendar year. Holidays are taken into consideration when scheduling.
Grant Review
- Opportunities for peer review and mock study sections
Bi-Annual Symposium
- The Junior Investigators' Symposium will next be held on on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 in person.
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Monthly Virtual Sessions
The program is designed to provide relevant knowledge, tools, and resources, and create an opportunity for this community to connect.
Session topics will be driven and organized by the participating cohort based on their priorities and interests.
Close modal dialogMonthly Virtual Sessions
Sample topics include:
- Enhancing your publication record from basic and clinical perspectives
- Developing a research budget
- Managing industry partnerships
- Building teams and collaborations
- Grant mechanics and working with your grants manager
- Personal perspectives of R01 awardees
- Acquiring preliminary basic and clinical study data
Program Leadership
Karen Teff, PhD, ITMAT Ed Teaching Faculty - Karen.Teff@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Dr. Karen Teff recently retired from her role as Program Director, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the NIH. Prior to her time at the NIH, Dr. Teff was an adjunct faculty member at Penn and served as Director of Translational Research for the Diabetes Research Center (2006-13) as well as the Director of the Clinical and Translational Research Center (2011-13) and a lead faculty member for the MS Translational Research degree program. Dr. Teff returned to Penn in spring 2022 as a member of ITMAT Education Leadership and course director for MTR 6230.
Colleen Itani, MFA, ITMAT Ed Associate Director - citani@upenn.edu