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 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 highly qualified candidates. Potential applicants are encouraged to meet with the UW BIRCWH Program Manager prior to submitting a full application.
When to apply
There are no current openings. The next official application cycle will open in 2027.
Key dates
Application due date: early spring, 2027
Earliest award start date: To be determined, 2027
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 must plan to conduct interdisciplinary basic, translational, behavioral, clinical, and/or health-services research relevant to women's health.
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:
Learn how to apply by reviewing the BIRCWH Request for Applications. Use the checklist to compile all sections of the application as a single PDF document before you start the online application.
Templates:
All applications should be submitted online via the application link below:
Application Upload Materials:
- Candidate Statement (2 pages): brief statement on training, qualifications and goals relating to women’s health and/or sex differences research.
- Individual Development Plan (3 pages): 3-year description of professional milestones and projected activities to progress towards these goals. IDP template available on the BIRCWH website.
- Research Plan (4 pages): proposed research project and timeline. One page dedicated to specific aims is recommended.
- Mentoring Plan (2 pages): proposed mentors and defined mentoring activities. Please indicate if the proposed mentors have completed mentor training. Specify 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 closely aligned with the research project and readily available to the scholar; and 3) a research mentor from a complimentary discipline, fostering the development of interdisciplinary scientific inquiry. All mentors must have a primary appointment with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Additional mentors are allowed beyond the three UW mentors designated (including individuals from other institutions).
- Candidate’s CV & NIH biosketch: highlighting publications relevant to women’s health or sex differences research.
- Proposed Mentors (3)
- Letter of commitment from each mentor (3): Each should provide a mentoring plan including relevant expertise, role on the mentoring team, and frequency/duration/format of planned meetings. (Each letter should indicate career, primary and additional research mentor from complimentary discipline – 1 page each)
- NIH biosketch for each mentor (3)
- Letter of commitment from Department Chair/Director: Letter should confirm 75% protected time while on the award. Departments are required to provide $25,000 in matching research funds annually for appointment. Template available online.
- Appendix: 2-3 peer reviewed publications for which you are a lead author, preferably demonstrating woman’s health and/or sex differences scholarship.
NOTE: Sections with page limits are limited to a total of 10 pages (refer to sections 1-4).
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 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
