K Cohort
The Louisville Clinical & Translational Research Center’s K Cohort Program provides grant-related guidance from senior faculty to successfully prepare your application for a Career Development Award.
Program Overview
The K Cohort is a three-month program for faculty members planning to apply for a Career Development Award in the upcoming year.
- Receive input on your application materials to ensure they address significant, innovative, and fundable questions.
- Identify appropriate resources and potential mentors/collaborators.
- Receive expert advice and critiques from Senior Faculty who have previously secured K grants and serve on study sections.
The K Cohort is a structured set of faculty-facilitated work-in-progress (WIP) sessions, focused on writing an early-career, mentored grant.
Program Details
This R01 Cohort Program is being developed as part of the University of Louisville's $24 million Clinical and Translational Research Development (CTRD) award, which includes $11.7 million from the NIH, aimed at expanding clinical and translational research initiatives.
Duration: 3 months, 7 sessions total
Frequency: Biweekly, 2-hour sessions
Mentees: Approximately 6 participants
Format: Virtual, MS Teams
Dates: The K Cohort runs three times per year starting in July for the October submission cycle, November for the February submission cycle and in March for those targeting the June submission cycle.
Cost: Participation in the K Cohort is offered at no cost.
Eligibility:
- Be employed by the University of Louisville in a faculty, fellow, or postdoctoral trainee position.
- Be doing clinical & translational research.
- Planning to apply for a K grant for an upcoming NIH grant cycle.
Participant Expectations
WORK-IN-PROGRESS (WIP) Meetings: During the three-month program, mentees are expected to actively participate in biweekly small group meetings with senior faculty and peers. Work-in-progress meetings entail each mentee sharing sections of their application to receive specific, personalized feedback. Between biweekly sessions, mentees will write and refine sections of their K application receiving continuous feedback throughout the development process.
NIH BOUVIER GRANT Course: The Cohort does not cover grantsmanship skills, but does require mentees complete the NIH Bouvier Course, Mastering the K Series. Graduate students, faculty and staff have access to Bouvier courses when registering using the UofL/Bouvier Registration page: UofL Course Library (Register with your organizational email).
K Cohort Mentors
The K Cohort appreciates the support and guidance from our mentors.
2025-2026 K Mentors: Irina Kirpich, Josiah Hardesty, Tad Dryden, David Magnusom, David Powell, Matthew Cave, La Creis Kidd, and Ryan Doster.
K Mentors advise mentees on developing sections of their proposal, find answers to issues that may surface, and locate potential collaborators and mentors to ensure a well-rounded application.
HOW TO APPLY
The UofL Louisville Clinical & Translational Research Center is currently accepting applications for the Winter and Spring 2025-2026 Cohort. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and require that you upload your NIH formatted biosketch and specific aims page.