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The University of Colorado Department of Medicine announces a new research support program for early career investigators, whose research careers have been affected by COVID-19. The department will provide $50,000 for salary support to extend active and eligible Mentored Career Development Awards for six months.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty investigators were forced to pause their research programs, resulting in delays in conducting experiments and studies that lead to publication or provide preliminary data for grants.

The pandemic has also disrupted the lives of  physician-scientists by altering the scope of their clinical responsibilities, reducing available support for academic activities, limiting opportunities for collaborative interactions, and increasing the burden of domestic activities. These additional challenges place more pressure on early career and especially early career women physician-scientists. 

“There is an urgent need for funding agencies, schools of medicine, and academic medical centers to realign their values and investments to address the challenges that the pandemic has imposed on early career physician-scientists and the future of academic medicine,” said David A. Schwartz, professor of Medicine and Immunology and the Robert W. Schrier Chair of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “To do nothing, or to continue the status quo, is not an option.”

Eligible faculty members are encouraged to apply for the Covid Supplemental Funding RFP by January 15, 2021. Read more.