The next application cycle will be announced in early 2026.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply to the Sylvester K12 if ALL the statements below apply:
- You are a permanent resident of the U.S. [Definition]
- You are a full-time Assistant Professor at UM.
- You are able to devote 75% effort to clinical research for the two-year K12 term.
- You have the support of a mentor approved by the program.
- You are an MD/DO and board-certified or-eligible in one of the clinical oncology disciplines.
- You are a Sylvester member (you may apply concurrently for the K12 and SCCC membership).
- You completed your fellowship no more than 5 years before the program start date (September 2020 or later).
- You have never received a PHS-funded career development award (e.g., NIH K series). If you are a current or past recipient of a CDA funded by a foundation, industry, or professional association, contact Vaughn Edelson at vte3@miami.edu to determine your eligibility.
- You have never received any major grant (such as R01) as PI or MPI from federal, industry, state, or foundation funding agency.
- Your proposed project is patient-oriented, clinical/translational cancer research.
- You will be available for in-person K12 activities.
You are NOT eligible for the K12 if ANY of the statements below apply
- You are on a temporary visa.
- You are an adjunct professor, voluntary professor, lecturer, resident, clinical/post-doctoral fellow, or student.
- You are a current or past recipient of a PHS-funded mentored career development grant (e.g., NIH K series).
- • You are the principal investigator (PI or MPI) on any awarded major independent grant (R01, P01, or other equivalent research grant awards).
Application Requirements
Letter of Intent
An LOI is required from all potential applicants. Submit your LOI now.
Full Application
A written application will be required from each candidate, submitted online via REDCap form. The application will include the following components:
- Project title
- Scientific abstract (250 words): State purpose, hypothesis, aims, and clinical/translational significance of potential findings.
- Lay abstract (250 words): In plain language, summarize the project and describe how it will improve the health of patients and the community.
- Personal statement (1 page): Must include specific areas of cancer research interest; short-term objectives and long-term career goals; statement on how the K12 will enhance your research career.
- Research project (4 pages): Include preliminary work, Specific Aims, significance, innovation, approach, analysis plan, and a brief description of plans to include minority/catchment area participation.
- References (no page limit)
- Community engagement and catchment area relevance (500 words): Describe how you will work with a lay/community mentor and articulate how your proposed work relates to the Sylvester catchment area.
- Career development plan (2 pages): Describe an individualized training program, including required K12 curriculum elements; graduate-level coursework you plan to take to enhance your research capabilities, including coursework in pursuit of an MSCTI, MPH, or other degree; a training overview table and project timeline with planned curriculum courses.
- Mentoring plan (2 pages): Provide rationale for the selection of mentors; qualifications of mentors; plans for mentored project(s) to be conducted, including how the applicant’s approach will both complement and differ from that of the mentor(s). Note: At least one mentor must have a track record of peer-reviewed funding.
- Budget and justification: Using the provided K12 template, prepare a detailed budget and justification with your departmental administrator or Sylvester Pre-Award Grant Administrator. A start date by September 1, 2025, is expected.
- Biosketch in NIH format
- CV in UM Format
- 3-5 letters of recommendation:
Application Documents
The following documents will assist you in putting together your application:
- Application instructions
- Budget template
- K12 curriculum
Request these documents from Vaughn Edelson, vte3@miami.edu.
How to Apply
Submit your LOI now. You will be notified by March 26th if you are invited to submit a full application.
Questions?
Vaughn Edelson
vte3@miami.edu
305-243-1516
| Timeline | |
|---|---|
| March 5, 2025, 12:00 PM | Informational session on Zoom. Register here. |
| Through March 19, 2025 | Optional meeting with PI |
| March 19, 2025, 11:59 PM | LOI due: Submit your LOI |
| April 30, 2025, 11:59 PM | Full application due |
| May 30, 2025 | Notification of award |
| September 1, 2025 | Program start |