Over the past decade, industry-sponsored clinical trial activity at UAB has grown steadily. To sustain and accelerate this momentum, the Clinical Trialist Development Program (CTDP) supports promising faculty who aspire to become leading principal investigators (PIs) on industry-sponsored clinical trials. CTDP provides protected time, training, mentorship, and access to research resources to help faculty build robust clinical trial portfolios that advance innovation and patient care.
Clinical Trialist Development Program Document (PDF)
Clinical Trialist Development Program Document (PDF)
Application
Heersink School of Medicine
Contact: Dana Rizk
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
School of Health Professions
Contact: Ritu Aneja
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
School of Public Health
Contact: Kelley Gabriel
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
School of Dentistry
Contact: Nicolaas Geurs
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
College of Arts and Sciences
Contact: Rajesh Kana
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
School of Optometry
Contact: Kelly Nichols
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
School of Nursing
Contact: Ellen Smith
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Application deadlines for the calendar year 2026:
January 15, 2026 | April 15, 2026 | July 15, 2026
Program Goals
Expand the pool of clinician-investigators at UAB leading industry-funded trials.
Provide structured mentorship and training in clinical trial leadership.
Strengthen UAB’s capacity to partner with industry sponsors in impactful research.
Eligibility
UAB faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor
Prior or current participation in at least 1 industry sponsored clinical trial as PI, site PI, or sub-investigator, or equivalent
Commitment of a mentor (identified by the candidate) to mentoring him/her throughout the program
-
-
Participation in the CCTS’s Clinical Investigator Training Program (CITP) during Year 1, unless this or comparable program has already been completed (documentation will be required).
-
Quarterly group meetings with Dr. David Kimberlin (Associate Vice President for Clinical Research) and Dr. Dana Rizk (Heersink School of Medicine Associate Dean for Clinical Trials) to create a near-peer community, share best practices, and identify and overcome barriers.
-
Regular meetings with mentor(s), who will submit every 6 months progress reports to ensure adequate progress.
-
-
-
Two years of protected time of at least 20% of total effort (UAB+HSF) to develop clinical trials portfolio
- Year 1: CTDP provides salary support up to 20% of the NIH cap, inclusive of fringe, with the division/department/school providing salary/fringe not covered by CTDP funding.
- Year 2: Division/Department/School provides salary support to protect 20% of total effort.
-
Participants accepted into the program with the support of their mentors can apply for a voucher to receive any available services from the UAB Clinical Research Support Enterprise (CReSt) or to support existing comparable expertise within their research unit.
- Services supported by voucher could include start-up, budgeting, study management, regulatory services, and/or coordinator support.
-
-
-
Statement of career goals by candidate (2 pages maximum). Please address in your statement:
- Why are you interested in this program?
- How would this opportunity impact your current role and your future career aspirations?
- Have you applied for CTDP previously?
-
Listing of prior experience in industry-sponsored clinical trials.
-
Letter(s) of support from mentor(s).
-
Letter of support from division director/department chair or school dean committing to providing protected time and salary support if funded.
-
Updated CV using UAB approved format.
-
Applications should be uploaded into the InfoReady platform.
-
Application deadlines for calendar year 2026 will be:
- January 15th, 2026
- April 15th, 2026
- July 15th, 2026
-
-
-
Applications will be reviewed and scored by Review Committee comprised of senior clinical trialist faculty in her/his School/College.
-
Applications advanced by Review Committee will be evaluated by the UAB Selection Committee consisting of the Deans Clinical Trials Advisory Group to the Academic Research Office for Clinical Trials (ARO-CT) in the UAB Office of Research.
-
Applicants selected as a CTDP scholar by the Selection Committee will be advanced for approval by President Watts.
-
Success Metrics
- Number of industry-sponsored clinical trials that CTDP participants conduct as site PI
- Annual target enrollment achieved in studies on which CTDP participants serve as site PI (goal: ≥85% enrollment)
- Expenditures from trials led by CTDP participants as site PI
Technical Support
If you experience technical issues with the application process or the InfoReady portal, please reach out to:
- InfoReady Support: infoready.freshdesk.com
- UAB AskIT:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Last updated: December 10, 2025