Launch to K
Launch to K
The goal of this program is to assist promising biomedical scientists to launch their academic career by writing a K series NIH career development award proposal.
When
January 5 to May 12, 2026
2 - 4:30 p.m. every other Tuesday
Where
Virtual
Via Zoom
The goal of this program is to assist promising biomedical scientists to launch their academic career by writing a K series NIH career development award proposal. The individual components of a K-series career development award (or comparable foundation grant) are discussed in a step by step detailed process over the 12 semiweekly 2-2.5 hour meetings.
The heart of the workshop will be peer-to-peer reviews of biweekly writing assignments of grant components: Candidate, Mentorship plan, Career Development Training Plan, the Approach and Scientific Environment and Institutional Support.
Experienced NIH funded investigators will assist in guiding the group and illustrating the various component and of a K award from a grant reviewer's point of view, with assistance from recent successful K awardees. Participants are expected to attend at least 80% of the sessions. Up to 8 participants will be accepted.
Application Deadline: December 9, 2025, 11:59 a.m.
Workshop: January 5 to May 12, 2026, 2:00 to 4:30 pm every other Tuesday.
Questions? Contact stuart.hobbs@osumc.edu or John.Christman@osumc.edu
Full Schedule
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Guests will include several recent K awardees, be prepared to describe your background and general plan for
submitting K-series career development grant proposal.Assignments Due in Course Shared File
January 13: Please invite your primary mentor to the January 20 meeting to discuss his/her experience in faculty mentorship.
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Establishment of a mentor-mentee contract with clearly defined responsibilities for mentor and mentee.
Assignments Due in Course Shared File
January 27: be prepared to discuss your career goals and objectives at the February 3 meeting.
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Discuss the important necessary elements of a training plan and the importance of a concise well written specific aims page.
Assignments Due in Course Shared File
February 29: Upload a completed draft of Specific Aims to shared file.
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Assignments Due in Course Shared File
February 24: Upload a finalized revised specific aim page and a detailed outline of the experimental approach.
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Assignments Due in Course Shared File
March 17: Upload the finalized Experimental Approach.
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No assignment due
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Assignments Due in Course Shared File
March 27: (NOTE EARLY DATE) Upload Candidate Information, Career Development Goals and a detailed and highly specific Training Plan with a timeline illustration.
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Assignments Due in Course Shared File
April 3: (NOTE EARLY DATE) Upload Draft Mentor Letter and a Letter that clearly provides evidence of institutional support.
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Assignments Due in Course Shared File
April 14 - Upload entire grant application to the shared file for the mock study section. Essential components: NIH Biosketch, NIH Biosketch of at least the primary mentor, Specific Aims Page, personal statement and training plan and experimental pan/approach.
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No assignment due
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Three experienced faculty reviewers will discuss your submitted proposal and render a score. You will be able to attend in person but not participate in or influence the discussion.
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Basically describe how you will revise and improve your final K submission.
K applications due to NIH June 16, 2026 or October 12, 2026