RCF Scholar Awards help support postgraduates who are committed to developing a career as pediatric scientists. Applicants should possess a passion for research and demonstrate potential to develop into an independent investigator. Successful applicants are licensed pediatricians with an MD degree who’ve completed postgraduate residency training in pediatrics and are no more than four years past attaining subspecialty board eligibility; exceptions are made for uniformed service and family responsibilities or other circumstances that resulted in a career hiatus. Applicants should identify an approved mentor with extensive research experience.
How to Apply
A completed application to the program includes a cover sheet, proof of US citizenship or permanent residency, a one page personal statement that describes career goals and objectives, an 8-10 page research plan, three letters of recommendation, and the applicant’s curricula vitae. In addition, the candidate’s primary mentor must submit a curricula vitae and a letter that details protected research time for the candidate. Applications should be submitted by the applicant’s mentor to the Chair of Pediatrics.
Selection preference is given to applicants who are most likely to obtain extramural peer-reviewed funding with the help of this award. Candidates are evaluated on demonstrated research potential, commitment to meet the program benchmarks, commitment to a research career, innovation of the proposed research, viability of the research plan, mentor’s commitment, strength of mentor’s relevant experience, and mentor’s training record.
Interviews of applicants are conducted by a selection committee that includes pediatric research faculty. The selection committee recommends a final selection of candidates to the Chair of Pediatrics, who chooses the scholars from the recommendations.