The CCTS seeks to develop a diverse and highly skilled clinical and translational research workforce well-prepared to collaborate, innovate, and accelerate the pace of scientific discoveries. The goal? To more effectively turn research insights into better health for the populations we serve. 

With support provided by our funder, the National Center for Advancing Clinical and Translational Science (NCATS), the CCTS Training Academy offers two different formal clinical research training awards—both combine formal course work with direct research experience and are grounded in the national competencies established by NCATS to prepare clinician-scientists for success on multidisciplinary, translational research teams.

Our KL2, the Deep South Mentored Career Development Program, provides formal research training experience to scholars who already have an MD, PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree. CCTS KL2 scholars focus on research addressing diseases and health disparities that disproportionately affect the Deep South. The benefits are many and include salary support, lead-author manuscripts, and an extramurally funded research grant submission.

Our TL1, the Predoctoral Clinical/Translational Research Program, introduces trainees who are finishing their second year in a health-related professions program (MD, PhD, PharmD, DDS, DMD, DVM, etc.) to clinical and translational research. Our immersive program provides 12 months of protected time for TL1 trainees to complete the core curriculum, get experience writing a manuscript, and present their findings at a national conference.

The CCTS Training Academy offers an extensive menu of interdisciplinary educational programs and enrichment activities suitable for wherever you are on the career arc—from graduate student to senior faculty—as well as for research team and community members.

To find out about the latest learning opportunities as soon as they are announced, subscribe to CCTS Digest and check our Events and Recurring Events web pages.