A K30 grant from the NIH supports two clinical research training programs:
The K30 Program will continue to recruit 8-12 HMC physicians per year. All K30 Program physicians will enter as non-degree students and have their first year tuition paid for by the K30 Program. Through the fall and early winter of a physician-student’s first year each student will be mentored and advised by teams composed of their clinical mentor, and at least two experienced clinical investigators. Students will be urged to identify and focus on a research project that fits their interests and is within the resources available to them.
K30 Salary Support for Physicians
The Penn State Clinical Research Training Programs Advisory Committee will review applications and listen to brief presentations to be made by physician students who seek K30 tuition and salary support for their second, and final, year. The Advisory Committee will recommend that the K30 program provide support to those students who have a meritorious research agenda, who are committed to writing a major grant application as their capstone experience for their Masters degree, and who demonstrate that they intend to establish themselves as independently funded clinical investigators. Physician-students selected for second year support receive full tuition, a travel allowance, and $25,000 of salary support to guarantee protected time for work on their research project. It is important to note that physician-students can submit an application for second year support either in the Spring of their first year, or during the spring of a subsequent year, as there will be cases where more time is needed to develop a competitive research project. Those physicians who are not awarded second year support from the K30 program may (1) conclude their first year with the Clinical Research Certificate, or (2) enter the Masters program without K30 support, select a sponsor and continue.
During the first year of the K30 supported Penn State Clinical Research Training Program, physicians spend in-class time of 5-7 hours per week. Students generally need to spend an additional 10 hours per week on assigned reading and homework and on developing their pilot research project.
