CTSA K12 Program at UCSF - ABSTRACT We are proposing an innovative reimagining of the K Scholars program at UCSF’s Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI). The program, established in 2006, has trained and supported an entire generation of early-career faculty across multiple health-related fields in translational science. Recognizing significant recent shifts in translational science approaches and techniques, this new iteration of the program builds on an existing framework of foundational skills training, hands-on experience, and career development mentorship to include specific training opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI), learning health systems (LHS), and community engagement practices as they pertain to translational research in clinical fields. Over the course of the three- year program, seven (7) K12 Scholars participate in weekly seminars and workshops, including case studies presented by experts, small-group Works in Progress (WIP) seminars, and topic-specific training. Further support is provided in the form of coursework, grant writing workshops, near-peer mentorship, opportunities to participate in ongoing translational research, and one-on-one coaching. Early-career UCSF faculty from all four professional schools who conduct clinical or translational research, are appointed to the assistant professor level, and have not yet served as PI of an NIH R01 or career development award or as a project lead on an NIH P01, U54, P50, or P60 are eligible for a K12 award. Their applications must include an assembled mentor team comprising established faculty both within and outside of their discipline and one faculty who serves as a career mentor. Selected scholars will have demonstrated a track record of creative research and the potential to leave innovative, multidisciplinary research with global impact, a clear research plan, and documented commitment of resources to support their research plan. In addition to the K12 awardees, other early-career faculty with career development awards (e.g., K23, K08, K01, or VA awards) are also invited to participate in the K Scholars programming. This breadth of participants ensures exposure to diverse viewpoints and research interests and maintains access to complementary training resources across the university. Finally, we have designed the program to maximally integrate with the activities described in the accompanying CTSI UM1 proposal while supporting the overall mission goals of promoting a team approach to translational science and developing a multidisciplinary translational science workforce.
