K12 Clinical and Translational Science (CATS) Scholars Program

About this program

The K12 Clinical and Translational Science (CATS) Scholars Program at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science offers two‑year mentored career‑development awards to accelerate clinical and translational researchers toward independent funding. Awards provide 75% protected research time funded by the program (up to $100,000), $20,000/year for scholarly activities plus $2,500/year travel, monthly career‑development workshops, senior faculty mentoring, peer review, and subsidized CCTS services. Eligible applicants are junior faculty across disciplines (medicine, dentistry, engineering, social work, nursing, pharmacy, etc.) who have completed the majority of their formal research training and require protected time to develop a project; applicants must submit a proposal and obtain a written commitment of release time from their home unit.