R-Award Program
Specialized training, guidance, and camaraderie
The R-Award Program (RAP) is part of a fully integrated approach to advance research at UC Davis Health by providing training and support to early career faculty to become successful, independent researchers. It is a cohort-based, selective, mentored program for new investigators to create, submit, and obtain their first R award. Preference will be given to faculty who have a joint or full appointment with UC Davis Health and demonstrated success in obtaining funding from NIH. Candidates must also have a mentor in place who is familiar with their project and willing to participate in all aspects of the program. See details below for eligibility.
Program Features
Participants can expect:
- Integrated dynamic workshops, progress presentations, and peer review accountability sessions.
- Activities and resources designed to provide participants with the tools and knowledge they need to write a successful R-award application (e.g., proposal writing seminar, mock review).
- Group sessions featuring guest speakers with established track records of external funding.
- Self-directed peer group activities where participants will share and review proposal sections, provide constructive feedback, and address problems and needs.
- A review of final application materials by our grantsmanship team and experienced researchers with a strong track record of obtaining R-award-level grants.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the program, candidates must:
- Have a UC Davis faculty appointment.
- Have a doctoral or other clinical terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M.)
- Have demonstrated success in obtaining funding for research.
- Be willing to commit to full program.
- Have not yet been Principal Investigators on an R01 award.
- Have a mentor for the project that is:
- Familiar with your project and willing to provide support.
- Willing to participate in bi-monthly mentoring sessions.
- Willing to review your grant.
- Willing to participate in a Mock Study Section.
Application Process
Be prepared to include the following documents in your application:
- Project Summary (≤ 500 words)
- NIH Bio-sketch (docx)
- Chair Statement of Commitment (PDF)
- Mentor Statement of Commitment (PDF)
Please write all documents in lay terms.
My grant writing improved substantially as a result of participating in this program. The program is very practical and hands on. I learned how to frame and write different portions of a grant and received invaluable feedback along the way."—Michelle Dossett, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
I was fortunate to participate in this program in 2021-2022 and was awarded funding for the proposal I developed there. The structured timeline, resources, and expertise were invaluable in moving the project from the initial idea to a complete application. Having feedback from my peers in other fields was particularly helpful in focusing on the bigger picture and making sure my ideas were communicated clearly."—Meagan Talbott, Ph.D.
This program is proudly co-sponsored by Faculty and Professional Development, the Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Clinical and Translational Science Center.
R-Award Seminar Series
These informative sessions can be taken as a series, or individually.
View the schedule