Research@UIC > Funding Opportunities >RWJF Physician Faculty Scholars

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Physician Faculty Scholars

Program Summary

This program is designed to strengthen the leadership and academic productivity of junior medical school faculty dedicated to improving health and health care.  Sponsor is particularly interested in research in the broad fields of population health, health policy, health economics, health services research, epidemiology, history, bioethics, and community health. 

Awards of up to $300,000 for three years to help young physicians develop their careers in academic medicine.  Under the program, scholars:

• Will devote at least 50 percent of time for three years to their research as outlined in their submitted proposal
• Receive funds to support a research project
• Receive national and local mentorship
• Work with other talented scholars

UIC is limited to 1 submission.  Must be nominated by Dean of Medical School.

RWJ is seeking faculty members who have the potential to assume leadership roles in their institution, their fields of scholarly activity, and their disciples.  The elements that are key to achieving such leadership roles include:

• The creativity to engage in new areas of research
• An appropriate knowledge of the skills and methods to carry out research in the applicant’s chosen field of endeavor
• A mentor or small cadre of mentors who can advise the applicant in career development and research
• The support of the applicant’s institutional leadership, including the dean, chair, and division chief, to engage in research for at least 50 percent of full-time effort.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a physician (M.D. or D.O.) who is a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States or its territories
• Be a junior faculty member in any discipline in a regular line position that could lead to tenure (per RWJ, “junior faculty” are those who are at the instructor or assistant professor level and have been in a faculty position for four years or less)
• Be committed to a career in academic medicine
• Provide evidence of research skills (e.g., past research fellowship or equivalent training).
• Have had at least two papers published in peer-reviewed journals at the time of the application deadline
• Demonstrate excellence as a teacher; and
• Care for patients at least one half day per week

Physicians who have served as the principal investigator on a grant (whether research or career development) that carries more than 48 months of funding are not eligible. This rule does not apply to grants for which the notice of award of funding is dated after the application deadline.

Faculty members engaged in laboratory research are not eligible.

Additional Information 
http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=19860

Deadlines

UIC Internal Competition

The following material should be submitted to RDS@uic.edu.  

• RWJ Foundation Executive Summary Form - http://rwjfpfsp.stanford.edu/becoming/2007_RWJFPFSP_Exec_Summary.doc
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of support from Applicant’s Unit Head – Up to 2 pages - Letter should include statements of commitment to the applicant’s future career.  Describe and identify the following:  (a) the personal characteristics of the applicant that will enable her/him to serve as a role model for students and residents; (b) the institutional resources available to the candidate during the period of this award; and (c) information on the proposed distribution of the applicant’s time, assuring that at least 50 percent will be devoted to research and scholarly pursuits

This material will be evaluated by the Dean’s Office, College of Medicine, which will determine which candidate to put forward as UIC’s nominee. 

By submitting this material, applicant attests that s/he has read and meets the sponsor's eligibility criteria for this program. 

Questions should be referred to Mr. Anthony Halford, Program Coordinator, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research at ahalford@uic.edu or 312-996-7036.