T32/TL1 Program

Training Grants for PhD Students and Post-Docs

Directors: Joya Chandra, PhD, and Jeffery A. Frost, PhD
Co-Investigators: Robert Bast, MD, and Shervin Assassi, MD, MS
Contact: Jewel Elliott, MPA, [email protected], 713-500-9886

The TL1 program is open to PhD (including MD/PhD) predoctoral students from across the six UTHealth schools and postdoctoral trainees at whose dissertation research is clearly translational or addresses a problem that has direct clinical implications. The program also offers didactic courses, seminars, and other training activities. The goal of the program is to train truly interdisciplinary researchers by a meaningful blending of programs and disciplines that have been traditionally operated as stand-alone entities within the UTHealth schools and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Trainees accepted into the TL1 Program receive up to 2 years of support (stipend, tuition, health insurance, and modest travel funds) in addition to resources and training in clinical and translational science.

Eligibility Criteria

The CCTS TL1 Program supports a total of 11 predoctoral and 4 postdoctoral trainee slots.  

The program is open to:

• Full-time PhD students in good academic standing at the McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School), UTHealth School of Public Health, School of Nursing, School of Dentistry, and School of Biomedical Informatics

• Full-Time MD/PhD students in good academic standing during the time they are enrolled in the MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School for the PhD portion of their training
• UTHealth or M. D. Anderson Cancer Center postdoctoral scholars who have completed their PhD degree and have 0-1 years of postdoctoral training at any institution

TL1 Program support (stipend, tuition, insurance, and travel funds) is only open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, but all MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School and UTHealth students may participate in other TL1 program activities with permission. NIH regulations do not permit the provision of stipends for students pursuing a professional degree or for students in dual-degree programs (e.g., MD/PhD or DDS/PhD) while they are enrolled in the professional school portion of their training. 

One hundred percent professional effort must be devoted to this award; no other grant salary support or outside professional employment is allowed.

 For more information, visit: https://gsbs.uth.edu/news/story/ccts-announces-2024-tl1-trainee-cohort.

Applying to the TL1 Program

THE TL1 PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS.

Applications for TL1 stipend support are solicited once each year,

Appointments to the training grant are for a minimum of 12 months with an option of competitive renewals for a maximum of 2 years contingent upon annual reviews to evaluate performance and fulfillment of program expectations.

All trainees receiving stipend support are expected to develop a curriculum/training plan that will enable them to obtain core competencies in clinical and translational research. These competencies are obtained by conducting dissertation research, completing clinical and translational courses offered by participating CCTS schools and institutions, and participating in seminars, internships, research retreats, and other activities that provide training in clinical and translational research. Trainees receiving stipend support also have access to other CCTS services to support their dissertation research.

Courses and other activities are open to all UTHealth and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center trainees and are not limited to individuals receiving stipend support. Certain activities may also be open to part-time, non-degree, or other special students at UTHealth, M. D. Anderson Center, and other TMC institutions. Please note that an employee of any TMC institution may register in MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School as a non-degree student for one course each semester with the permission of his or her supervisor and the approval of the course director and Dean of MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School.    

For more information on eligibility for stipend support, application deadlines, or participating in other TL1 or CCTS-related courses or activities, please contact Nicolle Patterson, MS ([email protected]) or at 713-500-9886.

For additional information about doctoral programs available in UTHealth schools, please see the following links

• School of Dentistry
• MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
• School of Biomedical Informatics
• School of Nursing

*UT MDACC, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center; UT IMM, Brown Institute of Molecular Medicine; SOD, School of Dentistry; MMS, McGovern Medical School

Past Trainees

Please see this PDF for a list of past TL1 trainees and scholars.