# Medical Scientist National Research Service Award

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2024 · $1,318,590

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The mission of The University of Chicago (UChicago) Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) is to train the
next generation of clinician-scientists for impactful careers in the biomedical sciences. Impact is broadly
defined as: providing fundamental insights into disease and relevant biological mechanisms, leading or making
substantial contributions to translational efforts to identify better therapies and/or filling leadership roles that will
determine how limited resources can best be used to improve human health. Our overall objective is to train
outstanding and self-directed clinician scientists who can formulate and answer biologically and medically-
important questions. To ensure the greatest impact, our program must reflect the diversity of the U.S.
population in both who it trains and who it serves. To accomplish our mission and overall objective, we defined
15 specific and measurable objectives that stress the technical, operational and professional skills that support
science identity and self-efficacy and are critical for a successful career as an independent biomedical
investigator. Two unique features of the program enable our mission and provide an optimal training
environment for the development of clinician-scientists. First, we are our own graduate program, the
Interdisciplinary Scientist Training Program (ISTP). The ISTP allows integration of graduate and medical
school classes in MS1, development of tailored curricula for each trainee, coordination across training
transitions and uniform oversight and expectations during the graduate phase. Second, most trainees pursue a
1-4-3 progression of study rather than the traditional 2-4-2 progression. While trainees may pursue a 2-4-2, the
1-4-3 provides a continuous and in-depth graduate experience where trainees become well-trained scientists
who can propose and rigorously test hypotheses. The 1-4-3 also provides a seamless transition between the
preclinical and clinical phases which facilitates overall success in medical school. Multiple programmatic
features ensure that fundamental scientific and clinical knowledge are interwoven to foster the development of
impactful clinician-scientists. The UChicago MSTP enjoys sustained and substantial University financial
backing including generous direct investment and support of facilities that cultivate innovative science. We are
requesting 25 training slots to supplement University investments to support trainees for six of the typical eight
years they spend in the MSTP. This requested investment by the NIH would constitute only 13% of total
anticipated cost for our MSTP. We anticipate a program size of approximately 80 trainees and expect, based
on our track record, that our trainees will contribute significantly to the U.S. biomedical enterprise.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10868604
- **Project number:** 5T32GM150375-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Marcus Ramsay Clark
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,318,590
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-07-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10868604

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10868604, Medical Scientist National Research Service Award (5T32GM150375-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10868604. Licensed CC0.

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