Women's Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Training Program
INTRODUCTION AND PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The University of Pittsburgh Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) are dedicated to training the next generation of physician-scientists in reproductive biology and women’s health. Our mission is to provide advanced research training, mentorship, and career development opportunities that prepare scholars for successful, independent careers focused on improving the health of women and their offspring.
The Pitt-MWRI WRHR Program supports interdisciplinary research across basic, translational, clinical, health services, and community-based sciences. Scholars receive individualized mentorship, participate in team science and grant-writing training, and conduct innovative research aligned with NICHD priorities in reproductive and women’s health.
As one of the nation’s largest academic OBGYN departments and home to the only free-standing research institute dedicated exclusively to women’s health, Pitt and MWRI offer an exceptional environment for physician-scientist training. Scholars are supported for a minimum of two years and work closely with a personalized mentoring team and advisory committee to develop a research program that fosters scientific independence and advances women’s health across the lifespan.
➤ For additional information please contact the WRHR Program Coordinator (wrhr@mwri.magee.edu).
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Be a physician holding an MD or DO degree.
- Have completed postgraduate residency training in obstetrics and gynecology.
- Have identified a primary OBGYN mentor and University of Pittsburgh co-mentor/s with extensive research experience. External co-mentors are also acceptable.
- Each Scholar will commit to providing 75% effort over a minimum of two calendar years full-time professional effort conducting research and research career development activities. Surgeon scientists have the option of committing to less effort but must maintain at least 50% effort. The percentage effort will remain constant over the full course of the appointment.
- Not be or have been a PI on an R01, R29, U01/U10, subproject of a Program Project (P01), Center (P50, P60, U54) grant, or individual mentored or non-mentored career development award (e.g., K01, K02, K08, K22, K23, K24, K25, K99). Individuals who are or were PIs on NIH Small Grants (i.e., R03s) or Exploratory/Developmental Grants (i.e., R21s) may be eligible providing they meet the other eligibility requirements.
- Scholars may be appointed to the K12 program in the final year of subspecialty fellowship training, but only if the year is designated as a primary research year in order to meet the requirements for 75% research effort.
- Be a U.S. citizen or noncitizen national or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-155) or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent citizen. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
SCHOLAR SUPPORT
1. Scholar’s salary: The WRHR program will provide salary support for 75% of a scholar’s salary and fringe benefits up to $100,000, annually. If the Scholar’s salary exceeds NIH funding, the Scholar’s department should supplement the WRHR salary contribution to a level that is consistent with that department’s salary scale. Departmental supplementation of a salary cannot require duties or responsibilities that interfere with the purpose of WRHR or the requirement that 75% effort be spent on women’s health research or related career development activities. WRHR research effort may be reduced to 50% FTE for faculty in surgical specialties.
2. Scholar's research and professional development: The WRHR program provides funds to support the scholar’s research ($20,000), including supplies and reagents, equipment, core research services and technical personnel, travel to one scientific meeting ($1,500), and education funds ($2,000). Total annual research and development funding = $2,350. Funds must be spent in the award year and do not carryover.
3. Other support: The division supporting the candidate must be able to demonstrate a commitment to the development of the candidate as a productive, independent investigator. The candidate’s division must agree to protect 75% of the Scholar’s time for the WRHR project (50% allowable for surgical specialties), and cover any of her/his salary and necessary research expenses in excess of the NIH limit. This agreement is needed to ensure that the scholar has a salary commensurate to that of other junior faculty in the division, to ensure provision of the appropriate technical support and supplies necessary to establish a productive research program, and to ensure that the total funds allocated to support each young investigator are within the program guidelines. In addition to salary and protected research time, the division must provide office space and appropriate research space for the Scholar. Program administration funds are also provided to attend the annual WRHR Program Meeting at the NIH.