CRSPThe Clinical Research Scholars Program (CRSP) is an intensive mentored research career development program. The objective of the CRSP is to support the development of successful clinical, translational and outcomes researchers among junior faculty affiliated with Seattle Children’s. This goal is achieved through a structured program of mentoring by dedicated CRSP faculty, educational seminars and financial support.

The CRSP supports career development in a wide range of research areas, including the mechanisms and treatment of diseases of children, as well as research related to areas such as patient safety and quality improvement. Proposed research must involve human subjects.

The program is administered by Program Director Dr. Dr. Margaret Rosenfeld, Associate Program Director Dr. Joseph Flynn and the Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR) Business Office. The program is being piloted for two years in the CCTR with the intention to ultimately become a Seattle Children’s Research Institute–wide initiative.

Eligibility Criteria 

  • Rank of acting instructor, acting assistant professor or assistant professor*
  • Primary member of the CCTR. Future grant applications must be submitted through CCTR.
  • Standard path: Seattle Children’s–based clinician–educator or clinician–clinician**
  • Intensive path: Seattle Children’s–based junior faculty, generally in physician–scientis
  • Applicant’s division chief must guarantee:
    • Standard: Minimum 30% FTE (10% from CCTR up to $23,400 salary and fringe maximum and your existing 20% protected academic time from division/department/Seattle Children’s)
    • Intensive: Minimum 50% FTE (25% from CCTR up to $58,400 salary and fringe maximum and your existing 25% protected research time from division/department)
     
  • A primary mentor must be identified, with commitment to mentor the scholar delineated in a letter of support.
  • The applicant should propose career development in clinical, translational or outcomes research.
  • CRSP awards are intended to support the direct costs of research at Seattle Children’s. Indirect costs are not allowed. CRSP awards should not be used to fund work occurring at an external institution and subaward contracts will not be approved. In some cases, Seattle Children’s may not have the necessary expertise or provide the required service to complete a project. In this case, please contact Roseanne Hampton, center business operations director.
  • International projects involving recruitment of participants, prospective collection of data or transfer of funds abroad will not be funded at this time. Studies using existing data collected abroad are allowed as long as there is no transfer of funds abroad. 

* If not yet appointed as a faculty member, a letter from the division head/department chair should be supplied stating the date of appointment will commence at or before the time that CRSP funding begins.

** Faculty in clinician–clinician path may apply only if clear documentation by division chief of expectation and protected time for research is provided.

Path Details

Standard path

The standard path is designed for scholars with limited protected time and background in clinical research and is primarily intended for faculty in the clinician–educator pathway. A primary objective of the program is to mentor the scholar in the preparation of a successful application for intramural or pilot project grants. 

The standard path requires a minimum of 30% protected academic effort. The CCTR provides salary support for 10% effort for two years contingent on successful year 1 completion, not to exceed $23,400 per year. The scholar’s division/department/Seattle Children’s provides support for the balance of the protected time. In addition, CCTR awards research support funds up to $10,000 annually to each scholar for career or project development. Examples of appropriate uses of the research support funds include tuition for courses; biostatistical or bioinformatics consultation regarding study design; administrative support for grant preparation or publications; and research coordinator time.  

Scholars are strongly encouraged to apply for pilot funding within their first six months in the program. Potential funding opportunities include CCTR and ITHS pilot project grants and the Academic Enrichment Fund. 

At the completion of the program, standard path scholars are expected to have: 

  • Submitted abstracts and at least one manuscript
  • Presented at local or national meetings
  • Grant funding as a principal investigator on a pilot or internal award or as a co-investigator on an extramural award. 

Intensive path

The intensive path is designed for scholars with substantial protected research time and background in clinical, translational or outcomes research, and is primarily intended for faculty on the physician–scientist pathway. Applicants must enter the program with a well-defined research proposal. 

The intensive path requires a minimum of 50% protected research effort. The CCTR will pay up to 25% of the scholar’s salary for two years, not to exceed $58,400 per year. The scholar’s division/department must provide support for the balance of the protected effort. In addition, the CCTR awards up to $20,000 annually to each scholar for career or project development. Appropriate uses of these funds are the same as for standard path scholars. 

At the completion of the program, intensive path scholars are expected to have:

  • Submitted abstracts and manuscripts
  • Presented at national meetings
  • Successfully applied for a K-series or equivalent career development award.

Letter of Intent

Letters of intent are due one month prior to the final application deadline. Final applications will not be accepted unless a letter of intent is submitted. Letters of intent are non-binding (i.e., applicants may choose not to submit a full application). Once the letter of intent is received, the applicant will be contacted by Gloria Venegas, CCTR program manager, to further assist preparing for a full application.

Key Dates

  • RFA released: January 12, 2018
  • Letter of intent deadline: April 6, 2018 - *Updated and Extended*
  • Application deadline: April 27, 2018 
  • Award announcement: By June 20, 2018
  • IRB approved and first mentor meeting completed: Sept. 30, 2018
  • Funding begins: Oct. 1, 2018

More Information

Download the CRSP Overview Packet (DOC) to review our frequently asked questions. If you would like to see a successful CRSP application example or have additional questions, please email the CRSP program coordinator.