Deadlines and Submission Links

KL2 Program

The 2024 KL2 Application is now open. REQUIRED Pre-Application is due October 2, 2023. See "Step 1: Required Pre-Application" for the submission link.

The KL2 Award

The UCLA CTSI KL2 program supports qualified junior faculty from any of the four partnered institutions (UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, Charles R. Drew University, and Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA) to conduct mentored, interdisciplinary, and translational research (T1-T4). The program is specifically designed to meet an important goal of the UCLA CTSI: To provide the next generation of researchers with the scientific training they need to conduct research across medicine, engineering, social sciences, and other disciplines to improve health.

The UCLA CTSI encourages junior faculty from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to apply for the KL2 program.  Scientists and trainees from these backgrounds bring different perspectives, creativity, and individual expertise to address complex scientific problems.

KL2 Scholars will receive up to 3 years of funding or until receipt of an individual NIH K award (or equivalent grant from the Veterans Administration or foundation), whichever comes first.  Continued KL2 support in Years 2 and 3 will be contingent on the scholar’s performance during the prior year(s).  Direct costs may not exceed $130,000 per year (see categories below).

Salary Support
Scholar salary (75% effort) $75,000
Scholar fringe benefits
Research expenses (UCLA applicants must include TIF)
Tuition/career development (excludes scientific memberships)
Statistical support		 $53,000
Travel for scientific conferences $2,000
Maximum direct costs/year $130,000
KL2 Important Dates
REQUIRED Pre-Application Deadline October
Invitations for Full Applications and Pre-Application Feedback November
Full Application Deadline (selected applicants) February
Invitations for Interviews (selected applicants) May
Selected Candidate Interviews May
Award Notifications June
Grant Start Date July 1
  • Possess a doctoral-level degree (e.g., MD, PhD, DDS, PharmD)
  • Have a full-time junior faculty appointment at one of the four UCLA CTSI partnered institutions (UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, Charles R. Drew University, and Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA) in any series at or above the clinical instructor level as of the grant start date.
  • U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or permanent resident by the grant start date.  Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
  • Commit 75% of professional effort (9 calendar months) to the KL2 Program.  Those in surgical specialties may request a lower level of effort, but in no case lower than 50%, with the level of CTSI KL2 salary support being reduced proportionately.  To request a lower level of effort, please contact CTSIWD@mednet.ucla.edu by the full application deadline so a formal request can be submitted to the NIH.
  • Not be or have been a principal investigator on an NIH R01, or project leader on a subproject of a Program Project (P01), Center (P50, P60, U54), mentored career development grant (K23, K08, K01, etc.), or equivalent non-PHS peer reviewed research grant that is over $100,000 in direct costs per year. May have had support on a non-federal grant, a NRSA grant (F or T) or have been PI of an NIH small grant (R03 or R21).  Note: Candidates may have had previous support on a K12 award, but the total K12+KL2 duration of support cannot extend beyond five years.

Simultaneous KL2 and NIH K (e.g. K01, K08, K23, etc.) applications are not allowable. Everyone is encouraged to submit a KL2 pre-application. However, if you submit an NIH K application in January, February or March 2024, you are not eligible to submit a KL2 full application.

Required Pre-Application

This pre-application is comprised of a 2-page application (plus candidate’s biosketch, mentor’s letter and biosketch), which will be reviewed by the KL2 Selection Committee. Only a portion of pre-applications will be asked to submit a full application.

  1. NIH-formatted Biosketch (NOT-OD-21-073) of CTSI KL2 candidate
  2. Personal Statement must include the justification for the need of training
    • NIH-formatted Biosketch (NOT-OD-21-073) of the primary mentor
  3. Primary Mentor’s Letter of Support (1 page maximum)
  4. Specific Aims of the Proposed Project and Relevant Preliminary Data (1½ page maximum)
  5. Candidate’s Statement (½ page maximum): Describe your previous research experience and training goals for the KL2.

Pre-Application Submission link: https://bit.ly/KL2pre-app2024

CLICK HERE to view the full 2024 KL2 RFA.

Sample instructions are posted here as a general guide. Instructions are updated each year so please refer to the RFA for the most current details.

Sample instructions (PDF)

  1. NIH-formatted Biosketch (NOT-OD-21-073) of the CTSI KL2 candidate
  2. NIH-formatted Other Support Pages of the CTSI KL2 candidate
  3. Project Summary/Abstract (30 lines of text maximum)
  4. Specific Aims (1 page maximum)
  5. Program Plan (12 pages maximum)
  6. Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources (1 page maximum)
  7. Protection of Human Subjects (required for research involving human subjects)
  8. Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Inclusion Across the Lifespan (required for research involving human subjects)
  9. PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report (required for research involving human subjects)
  10. Data and Safety Monitoring Plan (required for research involving human subjects)
  11. Vertebrate Animals (when applicable)
  12. Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (1 page maximum)
  13. Letters of Support from Mentoring Team (6 pages maximum)
  14. Institutional Letter of Support (2 pages maximum)
  15. Mentoring Team NIH-formatted Biosketches (NOT-OD-21-073)
  16. NIH-formatted Detailed Budget (Form Page 4) and Budget Justification
  17. Bibliography & References Cited

Selected candidates will be invited for an interview with the KL2 Directors.