Apply for Spring 2026 NIH Grant Writing Bootcamp

The UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and DGSOM Office of Physician Scientist Career Development is offering a NIH Grant Writing Bootcamp for junior faculty and trainees who are submitting their first NIH K or R application. 

The spring session is intended for participants who will submit a first-time NIH application between June and October 2026. Capacity is limited and participants will be selected based on the quality of their specific aims page and availability for in-person meetings. 

IMPORTANT DATES

Application deadline:  December 19, 2025 at 5:00PM PT

Acceptance notifications: Late January 2026

Bootcamp duration: February – May 2026

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

We will provide step-by-step, hands-on grant writing support through a series of in-person meetings to give real-time interactive feedback while the participant prepares their first K or R application, culminating in an NIH grant submission.

• Participants will be introduced to the format and requirements of an NIH K or R application.
• Participants will work together in a peer feedback group to develop drafts of each document.
• Participants will get feedback from faculty.

COMMITMENT

• Participants must commit to a weekly 2-hour in-person meeting from February – May 2026. Those who miss multiple meetings may be asked to withdraw from the bootcamp.
• Between meetings, participants will be asked to create document drafts and provide reciprocal feedback to peers.
• Participants are expected to submit their first NIH K or R application between June - October 2026

ELIGIBILITY

• Have a junior faculty or trainee appointment at one of the UCLA CTSI institutions (Cedars-Sinai, CDU, Harbor-UCLA/Lundquist Institute, and UCLA).
• Attend the in-person meetings at UCLA Westwood.
• Plans to submit their first K or R grant for one of the June – October 2026 NIH due dates.

**Notice for non-faculty applicants

If you do not hold a faculty title, you will be required to provide a letter of support from your mentor, division chief, or department chair to confirm:

1. Approval that you have support to submit a K or R grant
2. If the grant is awarded, you have the necessary lab space and approval to conduct research at your institution.

HOW TO APPLY

CLICK HERE to submit an online application by December 19, 2025. Include:

• CV or NIH Biosketch
• Specific Aims (1 page)
• Draft of Candidate Statement (for K grants only)
• Letter of Support (for non-faculty applicants; see above)

Questions?

For specific questions, please email us at phy-sci@mednet.ucla.edu

Last application cycle, the OPSCD hosted an information session to share more about the application and review process. Click here to view the recording.

If you are still unsure if this opportunity is right for you, please consult with an OPSCD Director to discuss your candidacy before applying. Sign up for an office hours appointment here. 

Visit our website for more information about the NIH Grant Writing Bootcamp, or to sign up for notifications of the next bootcamp cycle.