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Accepting Applications

Now accepting applications for the Spring 2026 Clinical/Translational Research Training Track!
Applications are due Monday, November 17, 2025 by 11:59pm EST.

FAQ Topics

 

 

Eligibility Criteria

Who is eligible to participate in CARTI Training Tracks?
To participate in the CARTI Training Tracks, you must meet the following criteria:

  • For the Basic Science training track: You are a Research Associate, Instructor, Assistant Professor, or Associate Professor, AND
    • You have never served as PI on any federally funded research award, OR
    • You have previously held an NIH award and your funding has lapsed or is at risk of lapsing, OR
    • You currently hold a K award and need to transition to an R01 award
  • You have a basic science research project to serve as the basis for a grant application
  • You have a mentor who can help guide your study design and provide critical feedback on draft grant applications
  • You have a letter of support from your department chair guaranteeing your ability to participate in the training track, which requires at least 8 hours/week for the semester
  • For the Clinical/Translational training track: You are a senior postdoctoral fellow (MD, PhD, MD/PhD) within six months of starting a faculty position or an early-stage faculty member at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, with prior research experience.
    • You have a research mentor or mentoring team, and an existing basic science, translational, or clinical research project to serve as the basis for a federal grant application, OR you are a clinical researcher with a well-defined research project you aim to pursue. 
    • You have a letter of support from your department chair guaranteeing at least 20 percent protected time (eight hours per week) over a four-month period to conduct research and training. 
    • You have NOT served as a Principal Investigator on an NIH or federal research (R) or career development (K) award.

Who is considered an early-stage faculty member?
We use an extended version of the NIH definition of early-stage investigator: You must have completed your terminal research degree or finished your post-graduate clinical training, whichever is later, in the past 10 years and not previously been a PD/PI of an independent federal award.

If I do not meet the definition of an early-stage faculty member, can I still apply?
Exceptions can be made based on prior research experience, a clear commitment to research, and need for additional training. Prior to applying, please email us at UMSOMCARTI@som.umaryland.edu about your status so we can discuss your eligibility.

I am a co-investigator on an NIH/federal grant, am I still eligible?
Yes, you may serve in a supportive role such as a co-investigator, on a grant and still be eligible to apply for a CARTI Training Track.

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Mentors

Am I required to have a mentor to apply?
Yes, all applicants are required to have a research mentor who provides guidance to the CARTI scholar as they develop and execute a research project. We recommend CARTI scholars conduct research that is complementary to their mentor's ongoing research. If you do not have a research mentor, please contact Marey Shriver (mshriver@som.umaryland.edu) for assistance in identifying a potential mentor.

Does my mentor need to be at the University of Maryland, Baltimore?
Yes, your primary mentor must hold a faculty position at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). Mentoring teams or committees may include outside faculty, but the chair must be on faculty at UMB.

What are the expectations for research mentors?
Mentors are expected to meet regularly--weekly or bi-weekly--with their CARTI scholars to provide guidance on the proposed research project. Specifically, mentors are expected to provide guidance on the design and execution of the research project, overcoming any research obstacles, and feedback on the capstone grant application.

What should my mentor(s) provide in their letter of support?
Mentors should provide a 1-2 page letter that specifically describes the following:

  • Their ongoing research
  • Their qualifications as a mentor, including number of previous mentees and where they are now
  • The applicant's need for additional training and how that fits into their career goals
  • The mentorship the applicant will receive during their participation in the CARTI Training Track, including frequency of meetings and type of guidance to be provided

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Time Commitment & Training Activities

How long is the CARTI Training Track?
Each CARTI Training Track typically runs about one semester.

How much time should I dedicate to the Training Track?
CARTI scholars are expected to commit at least eight hours a week (20 percent effort) to research and training activities.

Does my department need to approve my participation in the CARTI Training Track?
You are required to submit as part of your application a letter of support from your department chair guaranteeing you at least 20% protected time (eight hours per week) to participate and complete all required activities.

If I am selected as a CARTI Scholar, can I participate in only the didactic instruction and not the experiential learning and capstone project?
CARTI Training Tracks are designed to be completed in full, and participants are required to complete every element.

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Application Submission

When are applications due?
Application due dates will be announced on the CARTI website.

Applications for the Spring 2026 Clinical/Translational Research Training Track are due Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 by 11:59pm EST

Where do I submit my application?
Please submit your application as a single PDF by email to UMSOMCARTI@som.umaryland.edu.

What should my application include?
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All applications must be submitted as a single PDF and include:

  1. Cover page, download a template here
  2. Curriculum vitae in UMSOM Standard Format
  3. 1-2 page personal statement describing the applicant's:
    1. Prior research and career accomplishments to date
    2. Long-term career goals
    3. Ongoing research project and mentor(s)
    4. Need for additional training and how the CARTI training track will fill training gaps
  4. One-page summary of proposed research project (ideally in the format of an NIH Specific Aims page), including:
    1. Research problem, including critical barrier in the field being addressed
    2. Health relevance
    3. Overall objective of the proposed research
    4. How the proposed research will impact your field
  5. Letter of support from research mentor that includes:
    1. Their ongoing research
    2. Their qualifications as a mentor, including number of previous mentees and where they are now
    3. The applicant's need for additional training and how that fits into their career goals
    4. How much the mentor assisted with the candidate's application
    5. The mentorship the applicant will receive during their participation in the CARTI Training Track, including frequency of meetings and type of guidance to be provided
  6. Letter of support from your department chair that includes:
    1. Current role of the applicant and research experience
    2. Support for candidate's participation in the CARTI Research Training Track, including guarantee of 20 percent protected time (8 hours/week)
    3. Commitment to support the candidate's career development and research goals

 

Information Sessions

Watch the recording of our April 14, 2025 Zoom information session about the Basic Science Research Training Track and application process. (Use passcode M1%vkW.h)

Watch the recording of our Sept 17, 2025 Zoom information session about the Clinical/Translational Research Training Track and application process. 

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