CTSA K12 Program at University of Minnesota

ABSTRACT The University of Minnesota (UMN) CTSI is ideally positioned to implement and train multidisciplinary teams of translational researchers from the 6 health science schools and colleges (Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine), the broader University, and 2 major Twin City Hub Partners: the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and Hennepin Healthcare. The UMN CTSI K12 Program will train highly promising and diverse research-oriented Assistant Professors in clinical and translational science (CTS) using multidisciplinary mentoring teams to advance their individual research projects and CTS skill sets. K12 Scholars will be trained for 3 years, including 2 years with NCATS K12 funding and 1 year of UMN support, with access to some career development activities and mentoring beyond 3 years. This grant will support 6 NCATS-funded Scholars at a time. The Program will 1) provide rigorous, competency-based training in the design and conduct of high-quality clinical and translational research with both required and individualized components (including Responsible Conduct of Research, Reproducibility and Rigor, and Human Subjects and Animal Protections); 2) ensure K12 Scholars acquire skills and experience in team science and community engagement; 3) promote scientific and career development, including training K12 Scholars to be excellent mentors, communicators, and leaders and offering experiential learning opportunities; and 4) support each K12 Scholar’s development of a productive translational research program, resulting in successful K and R01 grant applications and transition to independence. This program builds on the current KL2 program and our innovations in leadership and communications training, such as using personality assessments and optional coaching to aid Scholars’ personal development. Planned enhancements include required training in data health science with development of a new foundational course; augmented evaluation of mentoring effectiveness; increased interactions with community and stakeholders, including a Community Mentoring Program; increased education in dissemination and implementation science; and using Scholar portfolios to demonstrate acquisition of the characteristics of translational scientists. We will expand the diversity of our Community of Scholars through holistic review of K12 applicants and close interactions and near-peer mentoring with special programs (Pre-K Discovery Scholars and Medical School Early Research Career Awards). We will also augment our Scholars’ interactions with programs that introduce college and precollege students, mainly from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities, to the health sciences. With these innovations and activities in place and with robust institutional support, we expect our K12 Scholars to become highly talented leaders in their fields, contributing to multidisciplinary investigations, disseminating their research and expertise through multiple channels, and mentoring new generations of CTS researchers.