Application requirements and deadlines are announced for each R38 cohort.

A One-Year Protected Research and Career Development Program for Residents

Build your research identity. Advance your science. Prepare for a physician-scientist career.

A One-Year Protected Research and Career Development Program for Residents

The University of Louisville R38 Resident Physician-Scientist Development Program is a one-year research and career development program for residents interested in building careers in clinical and translational research.

The program provides protected research time, structured mentorship, research training, and career development support. Resident-Investigators work closely with faculty mentors to develop and advance an individual research project while strengthening the skills needed for long-term careers in academic medicine and physician-scientist research.

The program runs from July 1st–June 30th and is administered through the Louisville Clinical and Translational Research Center Professional Development Core.

Protected Research Year

The protected research year is designed to help Resident-Investigators make meaningful progress on a focused research project and develop the foundation for continued research training.

During the program year, residents are expected to:

• Develop and advance a defined research project.
• Build a structured mentorship team.
• Complete an Individual Development Plan.
• Strengthen research design and biostatistics skills.
• Complete applicable research compliance and Responsible Conduct of Research training.
• Participate in monthly research development seminars.
• Develop scientific writing and presentation skills.
• Complete an abstract, manuscript, or other approved scholarly product.
• Develop a career plan that supports future research and physician-scientist development.

For residents interested in future NIH career development awards, the program also provides early preparation for K-award pathways and long-term research career planning.

Benefits of the R38 Program

Protected Research Time

Dedicated time to develop and implement a clinical or translational research project.

Structured Mentorship

Each Resident-Investigator works with a Primary Mentor and Research Mentorship Committee to support research progress and career development.

Research Skills Development

Training in study design, biostatistics, data analysis, research compliance, scientific writing, and research communication.

Individualized Career Development

Residents complete an Individual Development Plan and receive guidance on research career goals, mentorship, and future training opportunities.

Scientific Writing and Dissemination

Structured support for abstract development, tables and figures, presentations, and manuscript writing.

Preparation for Future Research Careers

Exposure to physician-scientist career pathways, grant writing, K-award development, and long-term academic research planning.

Types of Research

Resident-Investigators may conduct mentored clinical or translational research aligned with the goals of the R38 Program and the NIH mission.

Research projects should be hypothesis-driven, rigorous, reproducible, and designed around defined research milestones.

Projects may include:

• Clinical research
• Translational research
• Health outcomes research
• Data science, bioinformatics, or research using large datasets
• Implementation science research
• Other mentored research projects aligned with the program's clinical and translational research mission

Resident-Investigators may also gain research experience through a clinical trial led by an experienced mentor or co-mentor, as appropriate to the research project.

Recruiting Departments

The R38 Pilot Program currently recruits Resident-Investigators from participating University of Louisville residency programs and departments.

The pilot cohort includes residents from:

• General Surgery
• Internal Medicine
• Neurosurgery

Participation from additional departments may expand as the program develops.

Eligibility and How to Apply

Applicants must be University of Louisville residents with a demonstrated interest in clinical or translational research and long-term research career development.

Eligible applicants should:

• Be in good standing within their residency program.
• Have support from their department and residency leadership for protected research time.
• Identify a research interest or potential research project.
• Be willing to work with a Primary Mentor and Research Mentorship Committee.
• Participate in required R38 seminars, training, mentor meetings, and program checkpoints.
• Commit to developing a scholarly research product during the program year.

Application requirements and deadlines are announced for each R38 cohort.

Applicants may be asked to submit materials related to their research interests, career goals, curriculum vitae, proposed mentorship, and research project.

If you have a question about applying or need help finding a mentor, please contact Beulah Nimene or one of the Program Directors.

By advancing a meaningful research project, developing scholarly products, and building strong mentorship relationships with leading faculty, Resident-Investigators strengthen the foundation for long-term careers as physician-scientists. The StARR R38 Program is an important step for residents committed to becoming leaders in clinical and translational research.