# Harvard-Vision Clinical Scientist Development Program

> **NIH NIH K12** · MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY · 2021 · $545,160

## Abstract

Program Summary
The extraordinary growth and specialization that has occurred in the sciences has made it difficult to link the
increasing divide between clinical and basic science components of ophthalmic and vision sciences.
Translational research has suffered as a consequence. The Harvard Department of Ophthalmology is one of
the largest academic departments of Ophthalmology in the nation. With 188+ full-time clinical and basic
science faculty members, the Department makes significant contributions to ophthalmic and vision research in
virtually all basic, applied, and clinical subspecialty areas. The Harvard Department of Ophthalmology K12
program offers a customized and structured learning, research, and development environment to a select and
diverse group of highly-qualified, clinically-trained candidates who have recently completed (or are about to
complete) their training, but who desire further mentored learning experience so as to become independent
clinical scientists in their respective fields. Scholar candidates in this program will (i) complete a core
curriculum that will include (a) the Harvard Program in Clinical Effectiveness – a summer-long immersion
program in biostatistics and study design, (b) training in Responsible Conduct of Research and Bioethics, and
(c) participation in Grant Writing courses. Scholars will also (ii) perform research in a closely mentored program
under the guidance of lead mentors who are leaders in their respective fields. Trainees in this program will
additionally have the option of seeking an advanced degree (MS, MPH, PhD, ScD) at Harvard Medical School.
This is a competitive renewal application for the Harvard Ophthalmology K12 program, which has been very
successful to date in meeting its benchmarks of recruiting and training top-notch clinician-scientists in a
mentored environment. All program Scholars have been highly productive in research, have completed or
enrolled in degree programs, and received national academic and research awards and grants. Importantly,
since the start of our program in 2004 all the Scholars who have completed the program have been awarded
funding from the NIH or other competitive peer-reviewed funding sources. We intend to enroll 4 scholars in the
next renewal cycle (5 years) and each scholar will continue in the program for an estimated 3 years per the
NEI-mandated 3-year cap per Scholar. The progress of Scholars is reported by the Program Director twice
annually to the Program Advisory Committee and annually to the External Advisory Committee, comprised of
leading vision and ophthalmic scientists and educators in our nation. Our aim is to build on our progress to
date, and continue our training program for an additional 5 years.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10187012
- **Project number:** 2K12EY016335-16
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY
- **Principal Investigator:** Reza Dana
- **Activity code:** K12 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $545,160
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2004-09-30 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10187012

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10187012, Harvard-Vision Clinical Scientist Development Program (2K12EY016335-16). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10187012. Licensed CC0.

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