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Research Fellowships

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.

Deep South Mentored Career Development Program (KL2)

Deep South Mentored Career Development Program (KL2)

This 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.

Predoctoral Clinical/Translational Research Program (TL1)

Predoctoral Clinical/Translational Research Program (TL1)

This 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.

Diversity Supplement

Diversity Supplement

The CCTS Training Academy has the opportunity to support up to two (2) applications from across the Partner Network to respond to the NIH’s program announcement for administrative supplements to improve the diversity of the translational research workforce.

Differences between the KL2 Program and Diversity Supplements

Differences between the KL2 Program and Diversity Supplements

CCTS KL2 CCTS Diversity Supplement
Salary + Fringe: Up to $120,000/yearTRE: $25,000/year may be requested for supplies and travel. Salary + Fringe: Up to $100,000/yearTRE: $10,000/year may be requested for supplies and travel. Costs cannot exceed $150,000 direct/year
May count toward overall K award time limit of 6 years (depending on funding agency/institute) Does not count toward overall K award time limit of 6 years
Can fund an independent clinical trial Cannot fund an independent clinical trial (can be a research project on a mentor’s clinical trial)

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.

  • “The CCTS TL1 program has been life-changing for me by providing the critical foundation for everything I needed to thrive as an investigator.”


    — Kathrin Zimmerman, UAB, TL1 class of 2017-2018

  • “The KL2 and CCTS training opportunities have provided a community of supporters who serve as mentors, critics, advocates, and peers. The opportunities afforded by CCTS and the KL2 have launched my career by making me a better clinical scientist, mentor, and future leader.”

    — Crystal Chapman Lambert, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nursing, UAB