# PENN Vision Clinical Scientist Program

> **NIH NIH K12** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $496,153

## Abstract

1. Project Summary / Abstract
 The Penn Vision Clinical Scientist Program (VCSP) is designed to prepare
clinician scientists to identify and prioritize important questions in vision research,
formulate a comprehensive approach to address the questions, and develop skills to
effectively lead the efforts of a research team to provide answers.
 The (VCSP is centered in the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine.
Candidates for the VCSP hold a clinical doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DO, OD, DVM or equivalent)
and have completed their clinical training, usually through the fellowship level. Scholars initially
engage in educational and research activities to lay the groundwork for submission after 2 years
of an application for an independent K08, K23, or R01. Scholars are supported on the K12 for up
to 3 years, or until award of their individual grant, whichever comes first. Up to 2 scholars are
supported on the K12 at any given time.
 The program takes advantage of established educational programs within the
University, the concentration of strong basic science, translational research, and patient-
oriented research programs ongoing within the Department of Ophthalmology, and the breadth
of expertise available through Penn's interdisciplinary institutes and centers. Scholars have
access to formal educational programs and applied research experiences in a vast array of
areas such as clinical epidemiology, single-center and multi-center clinical trials, health
services research, bioethics, genetics, molecular biology, and neuroscience.
Established investigators in basic science, translational research, and patient-oriented
research serve as mentors to guide choices by scholars in educational programs and
research projects.
 The Penn VCSP has two defined tracks, translational research and patient oriented
research. Each track has a didactic training component and a component of supervised
research with increasing independence. However, the specific content of each program is
custom built for each scholar. Each scholar has a primary mentor and a mentoring team to
advise on the scientific aspects of their research and on activities necessary for professional
development, collaboration among investigators, and developing long-term research programs.
Upon completion of the program, scholars have received superb training to become productive
and successful independent researchers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10865093
- **Project number:** 5K12EY015398-19
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** JOSHUA L DUNAIEF
- **Activity code:** K12 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $496,153
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2004-05-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10865093

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10865093, PENN Vision Clinical Scientist Program (5K12EY015398-19). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10865093. Licensed CC0.

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