Applying to the Klingenstein Third Generation Fellowship Program

For Applicants

Application Process

Only candidates who have been nominated by their Department Chair and who have a primary mentor for the project may apply for a fellowship. We recommend that the primary mentor be on site; however, if additional expertise is required, off-site mentors may also be engaged. The fellowship application has two phases and is completed entirely online. No paper or email submissions will be accepted.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. and/or M.D. and have completed all clinical training. Candidates should be at the junior faculty level or on a trajectory for attaining faculty status. Those in T32 or other designated research training programs will also be considered. Investigators who have K awards or have applied for K awards are eligible for nomination, provided the award (if has been funded) does not overlap with the proposed project. Investigators who have not applied for K awards and hope to use a KTGF fellowship as a steppingstone to a K award or other funding are encouraged to apply. Investigators who have already received R01 awards from NIMH are not eligible to apply. While fellows may be selected prior to receipt of IRB approval, no fellowship award is finalized until such approval is received.

Phase 1: Nomination

The first-stage requirements are as follows.

A Letter of Nomination from the Chair of Department of Psychiatry or Psychology at the candidate’s institution. Each department must select only one research project and investigator for nomination per fellowship. The Letter of Nomination must be signed and indicate the following:

  • The Department Chair opened the institution’s selection process to qualified candidates and selected a qualified applicant given the Foundation’s guidelines
  • The institution’s support for the primary investigator’s work, including lab or office space and time; protection of research hours, if the grant is awarded; and access to appropriate faculty support
  • A statement of support for the proposed study
  • A statement of support for the candidate’s qualities and potential to complete the study
  • A statement of support for the quality of the primary mentor and mentorship team

  • The abstract must be one-page maximum, written in 12-point font, in Times New Roman or larger script, with one-inch page margins. It may be single-spaced.
  • The abstract should be written for a layperson’s understanding.
  • The abstract should be organized into the following sections: aims/hypotheses, design, methods, and anticipated outcomes

Information regarding primary investigator’s current and submitted/pending grants

Phase 2: Fellowship Application

Upon satisfactory completion of the nomination requirements, your institution will be invited into the second phase to submit a full application.

Fellowship application requirements:

For the entire application please follow these format guidelines: 12-point font, Times New Roman or larger script, one-inch margins, single or larger spacing.

  • Format Requirements:
    • Seven-page limit (including human subjects)
    • Figures, tables, diagrams, and similar items must be included within the page limit. References are not permitted as part of the proposal but may be submitted in a separate section.
  • The Department Chair or Primary Mentor must sign the Research Proposal at the top of the first page to demonstrate scientific and institutional support for the proposal as written.
  • In addition, proposals should meet the following requirements:
    • Adhere to the NIMH format, including the following sections: specific aims, significance, and approach (including preliminary studies, if relevant). The approach section (i.e., research plan) should include clearly stated hypotheses and procedures, a description of the population to be studied, measures to be used, the analytic plan, and a description of any special circumstances that may apply.
    • Include in the proposal a formal section on human subjects, describing all relevant issues and highlighting any special considerations that may apply.
    • Indicate whether the candidate has applied for IRB approval, and if so, the date of the application or expected application. No award will be final until IRB approval is obtained.
    • For animal studies, clearly demonstrate the relevance of the research to humans.
    • For resubmissions, candidates should address any substantive comments made by the review committee about the prior submission. Given the large numbers of highly qualified submissions, there is no guarantee that a re-submission will be successful even if the comments are adequately addressed.

A separate document of references may be included.

The total amount of the award is $60,000 payable over two years in equal installments of $30,000 each.

  • Please complete the budget form found here.
    Target Start Date: June 1.
  • Given the lack of funding for young investigators, the KTGF has a strong desire to allow fellowship recipients to use the full amount of their award. The program aims to limit indirect costs to no more than 10%, or to avoid paying them altogether if possible. The Foundation regards an institution’s willingness to waive indirect expenses as important evidence of institutional support which can weigh in the decision to grant the award. Nonetheless, the Foundation agrees that as much as 10% of the award may be allocated to indirect costs without penalty, although it reserves the right to consider the requested amount of indirect costs when making decisions regarding its awards. Please note that any such indirect expenses will be deducted from the awarded funding.
  • The office at the candidate’s institution responsible for approving the project’s budget must sign the KTGF budget form.
  • Please explain the budget, providing assurance that receipt of this award will not result in duplication of funding or in reduction of support from the host institution.
  • Please address the distribution between salary and research support. If there is a difference between the percentage of effort and salary support taken in preparing the budget, it should be noted.

  • NIH-style biosketch or biography portion of the CV only (including research projects).
  • Personal Statement: In one-page, please describe the primary investigator’s past and current training, explaining how the fellowship will advance his or her professional development in child and adolescent psychiatry or psychology.
  • Other funding sources: Please list all university, foundation, and government grants. Provide a 200-word description, award amount, and percentage of time dedicated to the project.
  • In describing current funding and pending applications, please indicate any potential overlap and highlight the independence of the project proposed for the KTGF Fellowship.
  • Pending funding: Indicate other sources of funding, if any, that are pending. Include date of submission and title.

  • Nomination letter:
    • Please upload the department chair’s letter of support.
    • This letter may be the same as the one uploaded for Phase 1, or it may be a revised version. If it’s the latter, please indicate this.
  • Primary mentor: The primary mentor must be on-site. His or her letter should address the following:
    • How the mentor’s areas of expertise correspond to the candidate’s research project and will contribute to the candidate’s overall training and growth as a primary investigator. This should include how the mentor’s time will be allocated toward the candidate’s project and the specific way this contact will aid the candidate during the fellowship.
    • Document the mentor’s qualifications and separately indicate his or her track record as a mentor.
    • How the institution and/or the department will support the primary investigator and the mentor(s) in successful completion of the research project. This should include the percentage of time the institution will release for the proposed research, plus details regarding institutional/department resources (including access to specialized equipment, office, and research space) and availability of statistical consultation.
    • The feasibility of successful completion of the project given the proposed research design, study population, technical requirements, and budget for completion.
    • If there is a secondary mentor(s), how the primary mentor will interact with the other mentor(s) to implement the overall program.
  • Secondary Mentor(s): While it is not required that there be secondary mentors, applicants who propose research involving expertise beyond their primary mentors’ scope must indicate how they will receive training and supervision in these areas. In these circumstances, we require letters from secondary mentors explaining their role in the proposed fellowship training and research project. The secondary mentor should also address his or her time commitment to the research and the nature of the mentorship. Secondary mentors may be on or off site.
  • Subjects’ recruitment letter: Applicants who intend to recruit from a specific program or site should include a letter of support and collaboration from the site director, indicating their willingness to participate in the project and how they will facilitate recruitment. This includes schools, other agencies, or relevant clinical or research programs within your own institution.

Review of Applications

The fellowship application is reviewed by a Selection Committee, which is comprised of members of the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee and additional experts as needed. Fellowship applications are judged on originality, methodological rigor, potential contribution to progress within the field, quality of institutional support, and the mentoring and training plan, among other factors. It is essential to demonstrate feasibility of completion of the project within the allotted time and budget. The selection committee prioritizes career development and the role the application plays in furthering the applicant’s professional aspirations.

The KTGF will provide each applicant with a brief summary of the Review Committee’s feedback in the hope that it will help the applicant’s research career. Because of the number of high-quality applications, the Foundation cannot assure reapplications will be successful, even if they address the concerns reflected in the feedback.

Timeline

The following is the fellowship application and notification schedule:

  • Online portal is open for nominations 9:00 am EST September 1
  • Nominations are due 11:59 pm EST November 30
  • Fellowship applications are invited in December
  • Fellowship applications are due 11:59 pm EST January 10
  • Fellowship awards are announced late March

Please contact the Foundation at info@klingenstein.org with any questions.

Application portal opens annually on September 1, 9:00 am EST.

Begin Application

For Department Chairs

The Department Chair plays a critical role in the success of the nominated project(s) and the fellowship program. Department Chairs may nominate only one investigator for each of the three fellowship areas: ADHD, depression, and access to care.

The nominated investigator should hold a Ph.D. or M.D. and should have completed all clinical training. The investigator should be at the junior faculty level or on a trajectory to attain junior faculty status. The Foundation will consider nominations of investigators with a Ph.D. or M.D. who are in T32 or other designated research training programs. The investigator should have demonstrated evidence of strong research promise and ability, and a commitment to the field of children’s mental health.

In selecting a candidate/project to nominate, the Chair should be aware that the Foundation considers the following factors, among others, in making its awards: strength of the candidate and potential for future research success, originality, soundness and feasibility of the proposal, potential for contribution to the field, quality of institutional support, and the mentoring and training plan. It also considers the likelihood of the project’s leading toward a larger project that will receive government or private grant funding.

The fellowship has a two-phase application process.

Phase 1: Nomination

The nomination phase requires (1) a written Letter of Nomination (1-2 pages) from the Department Chair; (2) a project abstract; and (3) information about other grants that the primary investigator has received or has applied for.

The Letter of Nomination must be signed by the Department Chair, and must indicate the following:

  • The Department Chair opened the institution’s process to qualified candidates and selected an applicant that meets the Foundation’s eligibility guidelines
  • The institution’s support for the primary investigator’s work, including lab or office space and time; protection of research hours, if the grant is awarded; and access to appropriate faculty support
  • A statement of support for the proposed study
  • A statement of support for the primary investigator and his or her potential to complete the study
  • A statement of support for the quality of the primary mentor and mentorship team

Phase 2: Fellowship Application

If the KTGF accepts the nomination, the applicant will be invited to submit a full fellowship application. This application requires submission of a letter of support from the Department Chair. The Chair may resubmit the letter from the nomination phase or may submit a revised letter.

Department Chairs are welcome to contact the Foundation at info@klingenstein.org with any questions.

Application portal opens annually on September 1, 9:00 am EST.

For Mentors

Mentoring is an essential component of the KTGF’s Fellowship Program. The Foundation is grateful for the work of mentors, who are intimately involved in the application process and throughout the fellowship. Mentors should be aware that applicants need to have demonstrated evidence of strong research promise and ability, plus a commitment to the field of children’s mental health.

The Foundation considers the following factors, among others, in making its awards: strength of the candidate and potential for future research success, originality, soundness and feasibility of the proposal, potential for contribution to the field, quality of institutional support, and the mentoring and training plan. It also considers the likelihood of the project’s leading toward a larger project that will receive government or private grant funding. 

Primary mentors must be on site, although applicants may include secondary mentors (on or off site) to provide additional expertise in other areas that are important to the proposed research.

The Application Process

The KTGF Fellowship has a two-phase application process.

Phase 1: Nomination

The Department Chair nominates the fellowship applicant and identifies the applicant’s mentor. Although the mentor is not expected to provide a letter of reference in Phase 1, the Foundation expects the mentor to assist the primary investigator in conceiving his or her project and drafting the abstract. The Foundation will invite applicants who have satisfied the nomination requirements to submit a full Fellowship Application.

Phase 2: Fellowship Application

The Foundation requires the primary mentor to submit a letter of support for the project and the prospective fellow.

This letter should address the following:

  • How the mentor’s areas of expertise correspond to the candidate’s research project and will contribute to the candidate’s overall growth as a principle investigator. This should include how the mentor’s time will be allocated toward the candidate’s project and the specific way this contact will aid the candidate during the fellowship
  • The mentor’s qualifications and track record as a mentor
  • How the institution and/or department will support the candidate and the mentor(s) in successful completion of the research project. This should include the percentage of time the institution will release for the proposed research, plus details regarding institutional/department resources (including access to specialized equipment, office and research space) and availability of statistical consultation
  • The feasibility of successful completion of the research, given the proposed design, study population, and technical requirements for completion
  • If there is a secondary mentor(s), how the primary mentor will interact with the other mentor(s) to implement the overall program

The Foundation requires the primary mentor to be on the faculty of the institution that is nominating the investigator. If the research project requires a substantive contribution from a mentor at a different site, the Foundation requires a secondary mentor from that site. The primary mentor’s letter should address how the co-mentorship will be achieved. The secondary mentor must also submit a letter of support documenting his or her willingness to participate in the training as well as the nature of the mentorship and expected time commitment. 

Mentors are welcome to contact the Foundation at info@klingenstein.org with any questions.

Application portal opens annually on September 1, 9:00 am EST.

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