# Clinical Research Training for Psychologists

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2021 · $228,935

## Abstract

Abstract
The goal of this program is to prepare clinical psychologists, who are trained in university
Departments of Psychology, for careers as clinical scientists in a variety of settings, including
academic medical centers. Psychologists, who are well versed in psychological theory,
experimental methodology, and quantitative skills, and committed to empirical approaches to
clinical science, possess talents that are critical for conducting clinical research. In this era, such
research focuses on diverse areas of psychopathology and requires multiple levels of analysis.
Nevertheless, additional preparation is needed to enable psychologists to work effectively with
individuals with major psychiatric disorders; to collaborate with members of interdisciplinary
teams, many of whom have medical backgrounds; and to compete successfully for independent
research funding. In this competing renewal application, we propose to continue and refine the
existing program that has been a successful model of an integrated 3-year predoctoral and
postdoctoral sequence for promising researchers trained in clinical psychology. We are requesting
support only for the latter 2 years of the program, that is, 6 stipends for clinical research training
at the postdoctoral level. By recruiting graduate students in clinical psychology with demonstrated
scholarly accomplishments prior to predoctoral internship, we are in a unique position to identify
and prepare talented psychologists for academic careers. The specific aims are to provide trainees
with (1) intensive clinical experience (during internship) in the management of a broad range of
patients seen in an academic medical center; (2) a predoctoral and postdoctoral curriculum that
enhances conceptual and practical skills in clinical research, including instruction in the
responsible conduct of research; and (3) an intensive research apprenticeship (at the postdoctoral
level) with an established investigator and mentor. We have a sustained record of recruiting
trainees from the best clinical psychology programs in the country and helping them to launch
research careers. The program has made a strong showing on outcomes central to the mandate of
institutional research training grants: placement of graduates in academic positions, successful
pursuit by graduates of independent research support, and sustained academic productivity and
recognition. Among the program graduates still active in the work force, 51 (91%) have primary
academic positions, 4 (9%) have primary clinical positions (3 of these 4 maintain academic
affiliations as adjunct faculty members), and 1 (2%) has a research scientist position in a for-profit
setting. Among the 51 graduates in primary academic positions, 42 (79%) have obtained external
research funding.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10152671
- **Project number:** 5T32MH018269-36
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHELE D LEVINE
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $228,935
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-08-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10152671

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10152671, Clinical Research Training for Psychologists (5T32MH018269-36). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10152671. Licensed CC0.

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