UCSC Predoctoral CIRM Scholars Program

The UCSC Training Program in Systems Biology of Stem Cells, funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), provides predoctoral students with a solid understanding of the biology of stem cells, the skills to use stem cells in their own research, and the ability to devise and use computational approaches in their stem cell research.

The Predoctoral CIRM Scholars program offers scholarships to four students from any UCSC graduate program who are pursuing or plan to pursue laboratory research in some aspect of stem cell biology with a UCSC CIRM mentor.

Program trainees receive guidance from UCSC faculty mentors and are expected to participate in activities associated with the CIRM Training Program, which may include attending and presenting research at a UCSC monthly seminar, a UCSC stem cell journal club, a Bay Area stem cell research group, and an annual retreat. Scholars are encouraged to attend and present their work at a national scientific conference.

The program offers a stipend of $28,000 per year plus health insurance, registration fees, tuition, and a research allowance of $5000 per year to cover laboratory supplies, travel, and books.

Award period: Appointments are for one year, with the possibility of reappointment for up to three years, contingent on satisfactory progress in the program.

Course requirements: Introduction to Stem Cell Biology (BIOL 206; offered in fall of odd-numbered years), Ethics of Stem Cell Research (PHIL 247, BIOL 288, or BME 247; offered in winter of even-numbered years), and Embryonic Stem Cell Laboratory (BIOL 206L; offered every spring). Scholars must achieve a grade B or higher in these courses, and must also meet the requirements of their Ph.D. program. Scholars may consult with their departmental (or thesis) committee and CIRM mentors for guidance on additional courses and to ensure that the requirements of both programs are met.

Other requirements: Scholars must submit a progress report near the end of each year, outlining their scientific progress to date, courses taken, new publications, and other stem-cell-related activities. This report will be used as a basis for determining whether to reappoint the scholar for a second or third year.

Eligibility: Candidates must be in excellent academic standing within their graduate program. Trainees are not required to be California residents or US citizens. UCSC and the CIRM are particularly interested in training a diverse pool of individuals from many backgrounds, including underrepresented minorities. Prior CIRM Scholars are not eligible to apply.

Selection criteria: The CIRM Executive Committee will select Scholars based on the following criteria:

Proposal

• Relevance to and potential impact of the project on stem cell research
• Novelty, feasibility, and appropriateness of the approach and the model system

Applicant

• Training to date and ability to carry out the proposed project
• Progress on project to date (for projects that have been in progress for at least one year)
• Written recommendations
• Quality of publications
• Academic standing

Environment

• The mentor: productivity, training track record, and successful competition for research support
• The laboratory: availability and quality of required resources (equipment, facilities, technical support); additional research support
• Collaborators or other factors influencing success
  

Application process: Submit the following electronically as PDFs at

1. A project proposal (maximum 5 pages) that includes these sections:
   
   • specific aims
   • background and significance
   • preliminary results (if applicable)
   • research plan
   • brief statement of how the project relates to regenerative medicine
   • brief statement of how this award would impact your project and career plans.
2. Your CV.
3. A letter from the CIRM mentor in whose laboratory the work will be performed (submitted directly to ) that comments on the proposed project, your track record and ability to perform the project, and the suitability of the environment for carrying out the project.
4. A letter of support from your graduate academic committee or thesis committee (submitted directly to ) that comments on your academic standing and their impression of your ability to perform the project.
5. Transcript (unofficial is acceptable).

Application deadline: August 1, 2009

Start date: October 1, 2009