Are you a predoctoral student finishing your second year in a health professions program (MD, PhD, PharmD, DDS, DMD, DVM, etc.)? If so, you may wish to apply for the CCTS Clinical/Translational Research Training (TL1) Program, a mentored research experience that provides skills that will help equip the curious and creative with the tools and expertise to thrive as investigators in any setting (e.g., academic medicine, government, pharma). The immersive program provides 12 months of protected time for trainees to develop projects focused on reducing health disparities and/or diseases that disproportionately affect the Deep South. The program provides a stipend and support for tuition, among other benefits. Apply by Friday, February 1.

The inaugural CCTS Translational Training Symposium will take place at the Intercontinental New Orleans on February 20-21. This networking and learning opportunity, held in conjunction with the annual Southern Society for Clinical Investigation Regional Meeting, offers something for everyone, from pre- and post-doctoral students and early career scholars to mentors and training grant leaders. Seating is limited, and attendees must be pre-registered. Registration will close on Friday, February 1.

Through its national network, the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) seeks to "improve health, develop leaders, and create change" by providing awards to graduate students to design and implement innovative community service projects that address local unmet health needs and social determinants of health. In the process, Fellows develop skills and a dedication to underserved populations through a yearlong program of leadership development training, reflection, relationship building, and mentoring. The Alabama chapter of ASF is currently accepting applications for up to 18 graduate students from multiple schools and disciplines across the state. ASF surveys indicate that "faculty are the most influential reason students apply," so if you are in that position of influence, please help spread the word! Fellows must attend an orientation on April 6-7, 2019, and a mid-year retreat on October 5, 2019. Apply by Friday, February 1. Contact AL Chapter Executive Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.

The CCTS and the UAB Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center invite currently enrolled and eligible undergraduate freshmen through juniors to apply to the national 2019 Short-Term Research Experience for Underrepresented Persons (STEP-UP) Program. This ten-week summer biomedical research experience offers a $5,000 stipend as well as invaluable mentoring and career development advice. Summer interns also receive support to travel to the Bethesda, MD, campus of the National Institutes of Health to attend the Annual STEP-UP Symposium on July 28-30, 2019. Do you teach undergrads? Please help spread the word. Applications are due Friday, February 1.

Congratulations to our 6th Annual Community Health Innovation Award (CHIA) grantees, who were honored at an awards ceremony on Monday, December 17, 2018, at the UAB National Alumni House. Thanks to the generosity of our CHIA 2018 donors, a total of $56,000 was distributed to launch or extend four projects addressing critical health concerns in the Birmingham community. CCTS also thanks the staff, faculty, and volunteers, including mentors and judges, who help make the CHIA program a success every year.

Graduate students, postdocs, trainees, and faculty from early career to senior level are encouraged to take advantage of several outstanding training opportunities on the horizon. Whether you wish to develop new translational a/o clinical research skills, meet new mentors or collaborators, or brainstorm solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing our health system, there is an upcoming event for you!