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Fact Sheet
NIH T32 Musculoskeletal Research Training Grant
University of Minnesota
What is the T32 training grant and what is its purpose?
The training grant is a 5-year award from the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) of the NIH. Its purpose is to provide state-of-the-art research training in musculoskeletal biology to predoctoral graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
How many positions are available on the training grant?
Three predoctoral positions and two postdoctoral positions are available from
2004. Individuals may be funded up to a total of 3 years on training grants.
Who is eligible to apply for a position on the training grant?
All individuals supported by this grant mechanism must be US citizens or noncitizen nationals (permanent residents). Students on temporary or student visas are not eligible. Predoctoral students must be enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Minnesota and be in good academic standing. Postdoctoral fellows must have a M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M and/or Ph.D and must have had no more than 1 year of previous postdoctoral support on another NIH institutional training grant or individual NIH fellowship award.
What are the criteria for acceptance into the program?
These criteria include the following: 1) Academic credentials; 2) Strong interest in musculoskeletal research and a desire for a research career; and 3) Desirable personal characteristics, including integrity, perseverance, and communications skills
How do individuals apply to the program and what is the application deadline?
A complete application must include the following: 1) a completed predoctoral
or postdoctoral application form that is available
online or from Andy Chatfield ( chatf001@umn.edu
), 2) a statement of career goals and interests, 3) a curriculum vitae,
4) university-certified transcripts, 5) GRE scores (if available), 6) reprints
of a maximum of 3 peer-reviewed manuscripts, and 7) three letters of recommendation from those who are knowledgeable of the applicant's academic performance
and clinical skills. If the applicant is currently located at the University
of Minnesota and has identified a mentor, the application package also should
include a letter of support from the mentor. These materials should be submitted
to Julia Hutchcroft, The Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, MMC 806, 420
Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455; Phone 612-626-9934; FAX 612-624-0944;
or by e-mail hutch006@umn.edu. The first
application deadline is May 1, 2004; however applications will be accepted and
considered on a continuing basis for open predoc and postdoctoral positions.
What is the level of stipend support for trainees supported by this grant?
Predoctoral stipends are set by the student's graduate program.
Postdoctoral stipend levels are set by the NIH
each year and vary depending on the number of years of experience.
The grant also covers tuition/fees, health insurance, travel, and trainee-related expenses. Exact amounts for each item are available upon request.
What are the expectations of the trainees?
Trainees are expected to be committed to full-time research training (40 hours/week). Clinical duties must be confined to those that are an integral part of the research training experience. Trainees will be expected to regularly attend program seminars and journal clubs. They will also be required to present one journal club and one research seminar in designated forums each year. The Skeletal Biology Journal Club meets every the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays and the Bone/Cartilage Data Club meets the last Wednesday of the month. All meet from 12-1 pm in 450 CCRB. Clinical fellows may opt to participate in the Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery or CORC conference instead of the Skeletal Biology Journal Club. Postdoctoral trainees are also encouraged to apply for independent postdoctoral training while being supported by the training grant.
Who are the faculty mentors that are listed on the grant?
Denis Clohisy, M.D. and Jennifer Westendorf, Ph.D. are the directors of the training program. Additional training faculty include: Drs. Joan Bechtold, Cathy Carlson, Robert LaPrade, Jack Lewis, Patrick Mantyh, Laura Mauro, James McCarthy, Elizabeth Pluhar, Lincoln Potter, Michel Sanders, Marc Swiontkowski, and Catherine Verfaillie.
Can additional faculty members participate?
Additional mentors may be added, based on the research interests of trainees
(e.g. trainee has a research interest outside of the current mentor research
expertise and identifies an individual he/she wishes to work with). These individuals
must meet the criteria outlined in application, including an extramurally funded,
independent research program and a strong interest in providing musculoskeletal
research training. Faculty member members may apply by submitting a letter of
interest and a CV to Dr. Jennifer Westendorf. A completed application form is
also required. New faculty must be approved by the training program faculty
as well as at the NIH program level.
Training Faculty/Mentor Application Form [download PDF file] [download Word file]
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