Women's Health Innovation Scholar (WHINS)
Women's Health Innovation Scholar Program (WHINS)
WHINS is a transformational opportunity provided by the CU Anschutz Ludeman Family Center for Women’s Health Research that incorporates training with research funding for scientists to advance and expedite the translation of research findings to patient care.
WHINS scholars must focus on women’s health or sex differences research in cardiovascular disease, diabetes/metabolism or the intersection of mental and physical health. It is required that proposals illustrate a credible pathway toward prevention, diagnosis, treatment, implementation, or future clinical application within the timeline of two years.
WHINS is a transformational opportunity provided by the CU Anschutz Ludeman Family Center for Women’s Health Research that incorporates training with research funding for scientists to advance and expedite the translation of research findings to patient care.
WHINS scholars must focus on women’s health or sex differences research in cardiovascular disease, diabetes/metabolism or the intersection of mental and physical health. It is required that proposals illustrate a credible pathway toward prevention, diagnosis, treatment, implementation, or future clinical application within the timeline of two years.
WHINS - Early-Career Award
- Applicants must have an MD, PhD, PharmD, or DO. Eligible candidates should be postdoctoral fellows, instructors, or assistant professors. Clinical scholars must hold an MD, DO, or PhD in psychology, have one of the titles previously listed and have completed their clinical training
- Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a career in women's health or sex differences research
- Scholars will be provided with:
- Up to $100,000/year in salary support and up to $25,000/year in benefits for two years
- $25,000 in annual project support
- WHINS scholars' departments/divisions must agree to cover salary/benefits gaps and provide $10,000 in annual project support funds for each year of WHINS funding. WHINS scholars must have a 75% salary commitment to their WHINS-related research
WHINS - Accelerator Award
- Applicants must have an MD, PhD, PharmD, or DO. Eligible candidates should be associate professors, or professors. Clinical scholars must hold an MD, DO, or PhD in psychology, have one of the titles previously listed and have completed their clinical training
- Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a career in women's health or sex differences research
- The Ludeman Center provides mid-career WHINS scholars with up to a total of $150,000 a year in funding, to be divided between PI salary/benefits and project funding for up to two years
- WHINS scholars' departments/divisions must agree to provide $10,000 in annual project support funds for each year of WHINS funding
Letters of Intent due November 30, 2026 by 5 p.m.
Important Dates for 2026 Funding Cycle
Date | |
Announcement Date | October 15, 2026 |
Letter of Intent Due | November 30, 2026, by 5 p.m. MT |
Invitation to Submit Full Proposal | By December 14, 2026 |
Full Proposal Deadline (by invitation only) | January 25, 2027 by 5 p.m. MT |
Award Notification | By February 22, 2027 |
Projected Start/End Date | April 1, 2027/April 1, 2029 |
Our Scholars in Action
Christina Metcalf, PhD
Dr. Metcalf is an assistant professor and clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Metcalf’s project aims to understand how childhood adversity creates this risk through a series of assessments of mood, cognitive function, and biological response to a current stressor. The results of this project will inform interventions to help women with childhood adversity build resilience to stress as they proceed through the menopause transition.
Suet Nee Chen, PhD
Dr. Chen is an assistant professor and basic scientist in the Division of Cardiology and a Boettcher Scholar. Her focus is on molecular genetics and pathogenesis of inherited cardiomyopathies. WHINS has given Dr. Chen the opportunity to delve into sex differences in cardiomyopathy and generate exciting results to form novel hypotheses to prepare for an R01 grant proposal.
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Ester Oh, PhD
Dr. Oh is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension. Dr. Oh's project aims to investigate how the loss of estrogen caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD) contributes to impaired blood vessel function. Dr. Oh's project will look at the use of equol (a phytoestrogen) can be used in women with CKD to improve blood vessel function.
To learn more about the Women’s Health Innovation Scholar Program, contact Carly Pilius
Email: [email protected]
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