Physician-Scientists
Office of Physician Scientist Career Development (OPSCD)
Physician-scientists are critical members of the health-care workforce, connecting the worlds of medicine and research and focusing scientific efforts toward improving patients’ lives and toward discoveries with global impact. Physician-scientists have received about half of all Nobel prizes in physiology and medicine, but only about 2% of physicians nationwide have research careers, and fewer every year choose this pathway, leading to a nationwide decline. In response, UCLA established this Office of Physician Scientist Career Development in 2023 to encourage UCLA medical students, house staff, and physician faculty to explore and embark on research careers.
Our Resources
Grant Writing Bootcamps - APPLY NOW
Join a small cohort of your physician scientist peers during weekly meetings to learn about the NIH and VA applications for Career Development Awards or Investigator-initiated grant applications. Over the course of 4-5 months, you will work together to prepare and review your K or R applications with hands-on support and real-time feedback from an OPSCD director or senior faculty member. Bootcamps occur seasonally and are designed for physician scientists who are planning to apply for their first K or R grant.
Applications are now OPEN. Apply by December 18, 2026 to be considered for the Spring 2027 cohort.
Click here to view the complete Request for Applications (RFA).
The OPSCD Directors hosted a virtual Info-session and Q&A for the bootcamp program and application process.
Click here to watch a video overview of the NIH Grant application process presented by OPSCD Director Otto Yang, MD, during a past grant writing bootcamp.
Specific Aims Bootcamp
The Specific Aims Bootcamp will help junior faculty and trainees prepare their first NIH K or R application. Participants will learn how to plan an NIH grant application through:
- 2-3 hands-on meetings with interactive feedback from peers and experienced faculty leaders
- Curriculum on the format, key components, and best practices
Applicants must be junior faculty or trainees affiliated with one of the UCLA CTSI institution (Cedars-Sinai, Charles R. Drew University, Lundquist Institute/Harbor-UCLA, or UCLA). They will be selected based on readiness to benefit from the sessions and commitment to actively participate.
Applications for Specific Aims Bootcamp are now closed.
1-on-1 Director Office Hours
Need research career advice as a physician scientist? Sign up for a 30-minute virtual appointment with an OPSCD director for guidance on topics such as:
- Grant writing consultation
- Finding a mentor
- Funding opportunities
- General career guidance
- Job searching and negotiations
If you are a non-physician scientist or are not affiliated with UCLA DGSOM, and you are looking for similar research career guidance, please sign up for CTSI office hours here.
Find a Discovery Year research mentor
Medical students have the opportunity to explore a career in research by choosing Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research as their Discovery Area of Concentration. Finding a mentor who matches your research interests and goals is a key factor in setting yourself up for an impactful Discovery Year.
If you are having trouble identifying a mentor, or don't know where to start, the OPSCD Directors are available to meet you 1-on-1 to discuss your goals and interests, and help you find your match.
Peer Mentoring Coffee Chats
Chat over coffee with your peers to share challenges and triumphs in your career development, and gain practical advice and support.
Designed for early clinician-scientist faculty, you can expect open-ended discussions accompanied by a faculty moderator about relevant career challenges such as:
- "How to deal with the IRB"
- "How to negotiate authorship in collaborative work"
- "How to balance research with clinical service demands"
ASCEND (Networking for resident physician scientists)
Advancing Scientific Careers and Excellence in Physician Development (ASCEND) was developed to increase opportunities for physician-scientists to network and engage in near-peer mentoring. The ASCEND Program brings physician-scientists together for networking opportunities in informal settings, where they meet investigators from other departments, hear panel discussions from senior faculty, compare notes with peers, and receive individualized career advice from OPSCD Directors.
Funding Opportunities
DGSOM Bridge Grants - APPLY NOW
Physician scientist trainees and early career faculty who are re-submitting a promising NIH grant application may apply for a DGSOM Physician Scientist Bridge Grant. This grant will allow them to carry their research forward to gain additional preliminary data to enhance their proposal. Applications are reviewed by the OPSCD, and recipients of the Bridge Grants are offered the opportunity to meet with one or more OPSCD Co-Directors to discuss additional ways to improve their NIH applications.
Bridge grant applications occur 3 times a year and are designed for early physician scientists who are planning to re-apply for an NIH grant.
Applications are now OPEN. Apply by January 15, 2027 to be considered in the Winter 2027 Cycle.
Click here to view the full Request for Applications (RFA)
The OPSCD directors hosted a virtual info session and Q&A on September 10, 2025 to discuss eligibility requirements and important updates to the application.
NIH Loan Repayment Program
The NIH Loan Repayment Program (LRP) is a federal grant opportunity that supports repayment of educational loans for scientists engaged in research. The LRPs will repay up to $50,000 toward your outstanding, eligible educational debt for each year of the two-year award. In return, you must agree to conduct qualified research activities during the award period.
Find more application information on the NIH LRP webpage here.
On September 25, 2025, OPSCD hosted a webinar about the LRP to provide further program details and share about UCLA resources that may support you in your application process.
Important Dates
| Date | Title | Description | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, August 6 | Peer Coffee Chat - Basic Science Research | Casual conversations with your junior faculty peers. Sign up here ! | In-Person Event |
| Tuesday, August 11 | Peer Coffee Chat - Health Services Research | Casual conversations with your junior faculty peers. Sign up here ! | In-Person Event |
| Tuesday, August 18 | Peer Coffee Chat - Clinical Research | Casual conversations with your junior faculty peers. Sign up here ! | In-Person Event |
| Friday, August 21 | Apply to Fall Grant Writing Bootcamp | Apply here by 5:00PM on 8/21 to be considered | Deadline |
Contact Us
For more information, please email us at Phy-Sci@mednet.ucla.edu.
Meet the directors
