The UCLA CTSI KL2 Translational Science Award provides career development support for junior faculty engaged in interdisciplinary translational research, offering a total of up to $75,000 in salary and benefits, alongside research support and funding for education and travel. Eligibility requires a doctoral or professional degree, a commitment to translational research, and prior funding restrictions. Applications are due February 25, 2013, with selected awardees notified by late April 2013, and research funds contingent upon IRB approval.

1. UCLA CTSI KL2
Translational Science Award
Mitchell Wong, MD PhD
Director, KL2 Program

2. Award Overview
• Career development support for junior faculty
within the UCLA CTSI Consortium
• Interdisciplinary, translational science (basic,
clinical and HSR)
• Similar in structure to K08/K23 award

3. Support
• Annual award, renewable for up to 3-years
• Support
– $75k salary plus benefits
– $25k research support
– $4k for tuition or coursework
– $2k for travel
– $1500 for statistical support in addition to in-kind
support from DOM Stats

4. Eligibility
• Doctoral level research degree or professional degree
(with advanced research training)
• Faculty level title as of July 1, 2013 at a UCLA CTSI
Institution
• Commit 75% of effort to translational research and
aims of the KL2 (50% minimum for some specialties
like surgery)
• U.S. Citizen or non-citizen national, permanent U.S.
resident

5. Eligibility (Prior/Pending Grants)
• May have had a small grant (R03, R21)
• May have had prior K12 funding (total K funding cannot
exceed 5 years)
• Cannot have:
– Prior or current PI of a NIH R01 or equivalent grant (direct
costs>$100k per year)
– Prior or current PI of a K08/K23 award
– Prior or current PI of a VA Career Development or R01
Equivalent grant
– PI of a pending K award application, pending R award in
similar area
– Current co-investigator funding on an R01/Project grant

6. Future Funding for KL2
• KL2 Awardees may apply for K08/K23 or VA CDAs
– Must relinquish KL2 if awardee receives NIH/VA CDA
– Total CDA funding (KL2 + individual CDA) cannot exceed 5
years.
• KL2 Awardees may apply for R01, Program grants
– Must maintain 75% effort on KL2 in year 1
– May decrease to 50% effort in last 2 years of K support

7. Selection Criteria
1. Proposed research- Quality, innovation, significance,
feasibility, promise for future funding, relevance to
interdisciplinary, translational research
2. Candidate- Training, productivity, promise
3. Mentor- Track record in mentorship and research,
commitment to candidate
4. Educational Plan- Well described and planned, fit with
research plan, provides candidate with new skill set
5. (Environment)- Commitment from institution,
department/division, availability of support and
resources to conduct research and educational plan

8. Application Components
• Letter of intent- Name, mentor, title, biosketch, specific aims
(to help KL2 selection committee identify appropriate
reviewers)
• Application (6 pages)- Research, Education and Career Plan
• Mentor’s Letter (2 pages)
• Institutional Letter (2 pages) from department chair or division
chief
• Letters of support (2 max)
• Candidate’s CV and other support page
• Mentor’s Biosketch
• Budget and budget justification
• References
• Data and Safety Monitoring Plan (when applicable)
• Appendices allowable (e.g. letter of support for use of
equipment or data)

9. Timeline
• Letter of intent deadline February 4, 2013
• Application deadline February 25, 2013
• Awardees will be notified in late April 2013
• Grant start date July 1, 2013
• Research funds will not be released until IRB
approval received

10. Common Pitfalls
• Inadequate education plan that does not tie in
to research plan
• Lack of clear commitment from
division/department
• Not in a faculty position by 7/1/2013

11. Common Questions
• Is start date flexible? No
• Can postdoctoral fellows apply? Yes, if they have a faculty appointment
no later than 7/1/2013
• Does the mentor need to be at a UCLA CTSI Institution? No, but distance
mentoring is difficult so if the primary mentor is not local, that may raise
concern.
• Does the project have to involve direct patient contact? No.
• Ok to have a VA CDA? No.
• Can an applicant have a J1 Visa? No.
• I don’t have my junior faculty appointment yet? Need an appointment by
7/1/2013. If in process, have the chief or chair indicate in their letter the
commitment to your faculty appointment by 7/1/2013.