Overview
The UW BIRCWH program is an NIH-funded institutional K12 grant mechanism that fosters mentored research career development of early-career faculty (scholars) who wish to develop independent careers focused on women’s health or sex/gender differences research.
The UW BIRCWH program supports three to four scholars at any given time. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and will be considered as scholar positions become available. The availability of positions is dependent upon the number of scholars currently appointed. Applications are encouraged in anticipation of vacancies. A notice of availability will be distributed widely to ensure the recruitment of a highly qualified, diverse group of candidates. Potential applicants are encouraged to meet with the UW BIRCWH Program Manager prior to submitting a full application.
The UW BIRCWH program is committed to building a diverse and inclusive learning environment. The program invites a highly qualified pool of diverse candidates from across a wide spectrum of dimensions (gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, discipline, etc.) who meet the eligibility requirements.
When to apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, in February of application years. The next application cycle is in 2025, pending renewal.
Application Details
Terms:
75% of salary annually (12 months) up to a maximum of $100,000
50% of salary for surgeons or procedure-intensive specialties
$25,000 to $50,000 research support
Duration:
Up to 2 years
Applicant Eligibility:
Early career faculty
Special Criteria:
Be a US citizen or non-citizen national, or lawfully admitted for permanent residence;
Have a clinical doctorate or PhD degree or its equivalent and engaged in women’s health or sex/gender differences research;
Assistant Professor (CHS or Tenure, in rank ≤ 8 years; have no more than eight years of research or research training experience beyond last doctoral degree; excepting those who may have had a career hiatus due to family responsibilities or uniformed service). It is acceptable to have a non-faculty title at the time of the application (e.g., post-doctoral fellow, assistant scientist, clinical instructor) as long as the applicant will be promoted to Assistant Professor by the anticipated appointment date.
Not currently a PDs/PIs or ever been a PDs/PIs on any NIH-funded research project grant (or equivalent federal peer-reviewed research grant) that exceeds $100,000 in direct costs per year, or have been a PD/PI on a Center (P50, P60, P20, P30, U54) grant or subproject of a Program Project (P01), individual career development (K-series) award, or independent research project grant awards (R01) or equivalent
How to Apply:
BIRCWH Program Application Instructions
Complete the online application form and upload materials in the order listed as a single PDF document titled “yourlastnameBIRCWHApp”
Application materials must be submitted as follows:
- Formatted as standard (8.5×11) pages
- No less than ½ inch margins
- 11 point font
- Application is limited to 10 pages; however, requirements 5-12 are not included in the page limit
Materials:
- Candidate Statement (2 pages): brief statement on training, qualifications and goals relating to women’s health and/or sex and gender differences research
- Individual Development Plan (2 pages): description of professional milestones and projected activities to progress towards these goals (contact program staff for IDP template if needed)
- Research Plan (4 pages): proposed research project, timeline and preliminary budget justification
- Mentoring Plan (2 pages): proposed mentors and defined mentoring activities. Specify UW BIRCWH mentoring team comprised of 1) a career mentor whose role is to guide the scholar’s overall career development plan; 2) a primary research mentor most closely aligned and available to the scholar; and 3) a research mentor from a complementary discipline, fostering the development of interdisciplinary scientific inquiry. All UW BIRCWH mentors must have a primary appointment with the UW-Madison
- References (no page limit)
- Mentor letters of commitment (career, primary research and additional research mentor from complementary research discipline)
- Letter of support/commitment from Dean of School/College OR Department Chair (1 page)
- Candidate NIH biosketch
- Candidate CV (highlighting women’s health/sex & gender research publications)
- Mentors NIH biosketch
- Appendix: 2-3 peer-reviewed publications for which you are a lead author
BIRCWH Application form: Apply Now
Scholar selection:
Each application is reviewed by the UW BIRCWH Program Manager for completeness and to ensure eligibility criteria are met. Applications are then reviewed by members of a Scholar Selection Committee comprised of program leadership (PIs) and select members of the UWBIRCWH Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee (IAC). Applications will be scored following UW BIRCWH program guidelines and standard NIH procedures. Applicant scores will be tabulated and ranked, with top applicants advancing to finalist interviews. Interviews will be conducted by the Scholar Selection Committee. Following interviews, program leadership will make final scholar selections to be ratified by the UW BIRCWH IAC. Scholar selection is based on the following criteria:
- Candidate background and preparation for a women’s health or sex/gender differences research career
- Candidate qualifications and potential for becoming a successful independent investigator
- Scientific and technical merit of proposed research project
- Quality of candidate Individual Development Plan (IDP)
- Strength, interdisciplinarity, and commitment by the mentoring team
- Department commitment to candidate both during and beyond the BIRCWH appointment
- Supportive environment and adequate facilities
