The UFCD Transition to Scientific Independence Award (TSIA) targets all UFCD post-doctoral associates and fellows, including those residents who have completed a PhD program. The UFCD post-doctoral associate or fellow is defined by having a primary mentor with their primary academic appointment in UFCD.
Proposal Deadline: 1st Monday of December
Funding: Due to limited funds, grants are awarded on a competitive basis, up to a maximum of $5,000, with a maximum of two proposals per year.
Award Period: February 1st, one year, with a no-cost extension for up to 1 additional year possible
Objective: The primary objective of the TSIA is to support independent research projects spearheaded by post-doctoral associates and fellows, which can lead to preliminary data that will enhance the likelihood of the individual to secure K or R awards from the NIH, or similar awards from other agencies/foundations. The TSIA may not be used to supplement currently funded research projects of the applicant’s mentor(s). Thus, whereas techniques, patient populations, and other aspects of the TSIA may coincide or overlap with those of the mentor’s research program, the hypothesis to be tested and aim(s) of the TSIA project must be unique. In addition, recipients of this funding will be required to submit a Final Report and present their findings at the UFCD Research Day and UF Post-Doctoral Symposium in the year following the completion of funding. It is also expected that recipients of the TSIA awards will submit a proposal for extramural funding within 18 months of issuance of the award.
Mentorship: Mentors must be full-time tenure-accruing faculty of the UFCD with a clear track record of productivity and consistent external funding. In addition, mentors must have at least two years of guaranteed support for the applicant.
A panel appointed by the Associate Dean for Research with expertise in the area of the application will perform the review with the following major criteria used in the assessment:
- the project’s significance
- the project’s originality
- feasibility, based on the experimental design and resources
- qualifications of the post-doctoral associate/fellow and mentor
- potential for promotion of independence, including plans for obtaining external funding
- adequacy of the facilities/environment
- appropriateness of the budget
Questions: Call, Christi Mason at 294-8118
https://cod-research.sites.medinfo.ufl.edu/files/2014/10/UFCD-TSIA_Final_revSept2014.pdf