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Women's Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Training Program - Application Submission

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Interested WRHR candidates will complete a two-phase formal application process: 

Phase I Applications

Interested applicants should submit their full academic CV and a one-page research statement to wrhr@mwri.magee.edu ASAP to demonstrate interest in the MWRI-Pitt WRHR Program. This statement should include a brief discussion of the scholar’s experience, short- and long-term goals, and a summary of the proposed project. The goal of this phase is to confirm eligibility which will be completed within a week of submission of the one-page research statement.  

Phase II Applications

Eligible candidates will be invited to submit a full application that includes a 5-page research plan, 2-page career development plan, budget, and letters of support from the mentors and division chair. Instructions for the full will be provided upon notice of eligibility, or sooner as requested. The full application will be due on a rolling basis.

For further question, please contact Janet Catov catovjm@mwri.magee.edu or the WRHR Program Coordinator at wrhr@mwri.magee.edu.

Candidate's Documents
Completed application form – See the last 2 pages of this document
Current curriculum vitae – In Pitt format; pending funding (with anticipated effort) must be included
Research plan (5 pages) – Address hypothesis, innovation and approach (up to 5 pages, excluding bibliography, 11 pt Arial or Helvetica font, 0.5” margins). An abbreviated discussion of specific aims may be included within the 5 pages.
Research training and career development plan (2 pages) – Address overarching research and professional goals, interdisciplinary nature, and reproductive sciences–women’s health focus. Provide a detailed plan of activities (courses, meetings, etc.), and describe how the proposed research will promote education and development as an independent investigator (up to 3 pages, 11 pt Arial or Helvetica font, 0.5” margins).

Annual budget (see Excel template) – Departmental support for any expenses not covered by WRHR must be confirmed in writing.

The expenses below must be considered (brief justification may be included):

  • Research expenses
  • Travel to scientific meetings
  • Tuition/coursework/fees/materials
Collapsible Candidate & Mentor Documents
Primary Mentor’s Documents

Mentor’s statement/letter of support (2 pages) – Address the following:

  • Assessment of the candidate’s qualifications and potential for a research career
  • Confirmation of mentor’s support and contributions to the scholar’s proposed career development plan
  • Description of the research environment, and availability/quality of needed research resources
NIH biosketch – Personal statement section should describe mentor’s past mentoring experience and current research focus
Past/current trainees – Provide a list/table of up to 5 past/current trainees, including: name, degree(s), dates, training institution, project title, academic level, present position/institution
Letter Confirming Division Support

Division chair’s letter – Confirm the following:

  • 75% of candidate’s professional effort protected for research (may be reduced to 50% for surgical specialties)
  • Division resources (facilities, training opportunities, collaborative faculty) available for the candidate
  • Budget approved by chair; division will cover remaining salary/fringe and expenses beyond NIH funding
Additional Letters
Additional letters (1 page each) – In addition to the mentor’s and division chair’s letters, up to 2 letters may be submitted by those familiar with the candidate’s research. These may include supporting mentors. Letters should be 1 page each. If submitted directly by recommender, alert the coordinator at wrhr@mwri.magee.edu.
Candidate Evaluation

Applications are reviewed by the entire WRHR Advisory Committee and candidate selection will be determined by merit by the Advisory Committee. Committee suggestions regarding mentors and career development or research plan revisions will be shared with the applicant. Formal offers are then extended, and the mentoring committee additions approved, as needed.

Once appointed, a WRHR orientation packet will be provided by the WRHR Program Assistant that includes the mentor agreement and a “WRHR Quick Notes” that summarizes the program requirements, introduces the Internal Advisory Committee, and provides a quick reference of coursework and other materials. The PI/PD and RD then schedule an orientation meeting with the new scholar, and the regular course of meetings, guidance, and oversight commences.