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SCTR Predoctoral Training Program in Translational Research

The SCTR T32 is an NIH-funded mentored research training program for pre-doctoral students in Ph.D. or dual-degree programs with a strong interest in pursuing a career in clinical and/or translational research.

The program provides early exposure to clinical and translational research methodology through experiential training opportunities and an instructive curriculum, along with many professional development opportunities. Mentors and SCTR program staff guide trainees in developing, setting up, and conducting a federally funded research project and writing a competitive fellowship grant application.

Now Accepting Applications

Key Dates

2026

Key Date 
RFA Release Date January 30, 2026
Letter of Intent March 27, 2026*
Application Deadline April 24, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
Notification of Awards June 5, 2026
Appointment Term July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028
 Available Slots 1 

*Letter of Intent optional, but strongly recommended

Apply on InfoReady

SCTR T32 By the Numbers

Program impact numbers reported January 2026

59 Alumni
Post-T32 Jobs Postdocs, Residents, Faculty, Clinicians, Fellows, etc.

also: Private Industry, Research Foundation, Scientific Communications

>3M Subsequent Funding

In extramural funding

215 Publications

  • Two-year, full-time research training program (minimum 40 hours/week)
  • Supports up to four predoctoral trainees at a time for a two-year appointment period
  • Provides structured mentorship, coursework, and experiential learning tailored to translational research
  • Focuses on developing trainees into independent scientists and research leaders

Trainees in the T32 program receive annually:

  • Stipend support at the NRSA-established levels for pre-doctoral trainees. Mentors are required to supplement the trainee’s stipend up to the amount required by their respective colleges.
  • Tuition fees up to $16,000 for Ph.D. students; up to $21,000 for students in a combined dual-degree program (Fall & Spring only)
  • $4,750 of project funds & training-related expenses (including student health insurance)
  • $1,500 in travel funds for travel to the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) national meeting. Trainees funded for a second year may choose to attend a meeting relevant to their research.
  • $3,000 in childcare costs is available for each trainee in addition to training funds. 

    Note: Trainees are not considered employees; taxes may apply depending on residency status.

  • Full-time Ph.D. or dual-degree students with a strong interest in clinical and translational research
  • US citizen, non-citizen national, or lawful permanent resident
  • Ineligible if: first or last year of graduate school, already hold a doctoral degree, enrolled in professional-degree-only programs, or currently supported by other federal funds

Applicants in Pharm.D./Ph.D. or D.M.D./Ph.D. programs should contact the program prior to applying.

  • T32-specific courses and seminars:
    • Designing a Rigorous Extramural Fellowship Application (CGS 817)
    • MSTP Seminar (CGS 820)
    • Principles, Practices, and Professionalism (CGS 770)
    • Translational Research Journal Club (CGS 815)
    • Translational Science Clinic (MDCOR 871)
    • Month in the Research Nexus (MDCOR 832)
  • Professional development: ACTS Conference, Mentorship Symposium, Halushka Student Research Day, Innovation Week events, and a career development conference of choice
  • Academics requirements: Maintain good standing (GPA > 3.0) and make satisfactory progress toward the degree
  • Expected outcomes: At least one first-author publication, completion of an Individual Development Plan, NIH progress reporting, and an ORCiD ID

All applications will be submitted online using the InfoReady application portal. Review the Application FAQs document on InfoReady for detailed instructions on the steps and processes for applying.

Program and Application FAQs can be found on InfoReady.

The following documents are available on InfoReady.

  • T32 RFA
  • T32 Program FAQs
  • T32 Application FAQs

SCTR T32 in the News

Lasker Foundation Award

Her path spans medicine, research, and now a Lasker Foundation honor. TL1 alum Dr. Catherine Bridges is one of five national winners recognized for advancing conversations in biomedical science.
Lasker Award arrow_forward

Beyond the Lab

TL1 trainee Michael Martino discusses his role in a new Neuron study on heroin’s impact on brain circuitry—and how TL1 training is accelerating his path toward a career in translational neuroscience.
Beyond the Lab arrow_forward

Trainee Wins

Two SCTR TL1 trainees are among this year’s Burroughs Wellcome Fund Awardees, earning national recognition and support to share their research on the Translational Science stage.
TL1 Wins arrow_forward

K&T Collaboration

From coursework to cancer research: a TL1 trainee and KL2 scholar transform a class assignment into a funded project aimed at improving outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Month in the Nexus arrow_forward

Meet the Trainees

Abasi-ama Udeme

Research Project | Toll-Like Receptor-7 in Muscle Resident Macrophages Regulates the Wasting Syndrome in Cancer Cachexia
Mentor | Denis Guttridge, Ph.D.

College of Graduate Studies
Degree Seeking | M.D./Ph.D.

“My goal is to become an orthopedic oncologist who integrates clinical care with research to improve therapies for musculoskeletal cancers.”

Caroline Kittrell

Research Project | Establishing the N-Glycome and Immune Cell Landscape of Progressive Stages of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)

Mentor | Richard Drake, Ph.D.

College of Graduate Studies
Degree Seeking | M.D./Ph.D.

“Ultimately, as a clinician scientist, I hope to pursue research that has a profound impact on clinical care and patient outcomes.”

Mirna Mina-Abouda

Research Project | Metallothionein Regulates Metabolic Reprogramming and Mitochondrial Dynamics in Ovarian Cancer

Mentor | Joseph Delaney, Ph.D.

College of Graduate Studies
Degree Seeking | Ph.D.

“I was drawn to the translational focus. As a Ph.D. candidate, I have limited opportunities to build connections with the medical community or to work with physician mentors. This program bridges that gap, allowing me to learn how to align basic science discoveries with clinical relevance.”

Sarah Simpson

Research Project | Utilization of Maternal Preventive Care in Relation to Clinical Factors and Maternal Pregnancy Outcomes

Mentors | Angela Malek, Ph.D. & Kelly Hunt, Ph.D.

College of Graduate Studies
Degree Seeking | Ph.D.

“My long-term goal is to become a public health researcher and epidemiologist at a university or in a state health department in the area of maternal, infant and child health with a focus on translational research.”

I thought the Designing Rigorous Extramural Funding course was excellent! I learned a lot about what goes into an F31, how grants are reviewed, and how to put together a competitive F31 application.

Heather Holman

Trainee Perspectives

Gaining Insight into Translational Research

"The Translational Science Clinic and Translational Research Journal Club were the most beneficial to me in this program. Both these opportunities increased my understanding of the challenges of translating research from bench top to the clinic as well as the minutiae and teams that are required in order to successfully develop therapies that can be progressed through T0 - T4."

A Supportive Training Environment

"How collaborative it was and how encouraging it was for students to explore their research interests, future career paths, and directions they could take their projects.”

Mentorship, Networking, and Career Exploration

"During translational sciences clinic I was able to network with physician scientists to pick their brain about their thoughts regarding my research, see their day to day lives and the realities of combining medicine and science, and learn more about the disease I study."

 

Alumni from the Past 5 Years

T32 Alumni List (PDF)

Program Contact

Kristen Briggman

Program Coordinator, Translational Science Education and Workforce Development
burgstei@musc.edu

Leadership

Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D.
Program Director
feghalib@musc.edu

Andreana Benitez, Ph.D.
Associate Director
benitez@musc.edu

Diana Lee-Chavarria, MA
Assistant Director for Operations, Translational Science Education and Workforce Development
leeachar@musc.edu