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Physician Scientist Development Office Heersink School of Medicine

UAB R38 StARR

UAB R38 StARRThe UAB Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) Program, funded by an NIH NIAID R38 award, supports mentored research and career development activities for residents from UAB’s Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Pathology, Surgery, and OB/GYN Residency Programs. Each year, up to 4 residents from those residency programs will be selected for UAB StARR based on their StARR application merits and will complete a 12-month program that includes: 1) research mentored by a UAB-affiliated faculty preceptor with an excellent mentoring track record and funding, and 2) career development activities leading to core competencies in research methodology, responsible conduct of research, communication of findings, scientific writing, and team science. One or more aspects of the research must align with the NIAID mission, which includes research involving infection, immunology, and/or allergy. The ultimate goal of UAB StARR is to develop a group of highly motivated, well-trained, early-career physician-scientists who are prepared for a successful transition towards a career as an independent physician-scientist that includes research that supports the NIH NIAID mission.

UAB StARR Program provides participating residents with the following benefits: 

  • Mentored research and career development activities
  • Salary support for participating in the 12-month program (that requires a minimum of 80% effort committed to research activities), with the possibility of support for an additional 12 months of participation in UAB StARR
  • Up to $3,000 in travel funds to present research at domestic conferences and attend NIH-sponsored workshops
  • Supplementary research funds of up to $16,000
  • Future eligibility to apply for an individual NIH K38 award (limited to investigators who completed StARR)
  • UAB R38 StARR Application Process

    UAB R38 StARR Application Process

    Application Contents and Requirements

    The UAB StARR application includes the following items for submission:

    1. A 1-2 page personal statement outlining the applicant’s research interests, career goals, and physician-scientist contributions to the UAB StARR Program
    2. The applicant’s NIH-style biosketch
    3. A 1-2 page research proposal formatted as an NIH-style Specific Aims page, describing a research project to be completed during the StARR program
    4. A letter of support from a UAB faculty member who agrees to serve as the applicant’s research preceptor, along with the preceptor’s biosketch
    5. A letter of support from the applicant’s Residency Program Director, confirming that the applicant is in good standing and has discussed their StARR Program schedule of activities with the Program Director
  • UAB R38 StARR Application

    UAB R38 StARR Application

    The review of UAB StARR applications and the subsequent interview process will take place four times a year, in the months of August, November, February, and May. Applicants will be notified if they have been selected for an interview shortly after their application is reviewed.

    Apply Here


Contact

Please contact us with any questions you may have about the UAB R38 StARR Program

William Geisler, MD, MPH
Assistant Dean, Physician Scientist Development
NIH NIAID UAB R38 StARR Program Director
wgeisler@uabmc.edu

Randy L. Seay, MA, MPA, MPH
Associate Director of Physician Scientist Development
physci@uab.edu