| The UCSC Training Program in Systems Biology of Stem Cells, funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), provides predoctoral students with a solid understanding of the biology of stem cells,
the skills to use stem cells in their own research, and
the ability to devise and use computational approaches in their stem cell research.
The Predoctoral CIRM Scholars program offers scholarships to three students from any UCSC graduate program who are pursuing or plan to pursue laboratory research in some aspect of stem cell biology with a UCSC CIRM mentor.
Program trainees receive guidance from UCSC faculty mentors and are expected to participate in activities associated with the CIRM Training Program, which may include attending and presenting research at a UCSC monthly seminar, a UCSC stem cell journal club, a Bay Area stem cell research group, and an annual retreat. Scholars are encouraged to attend and present their work at a national scientific conference.
The program offers a stipend of $25,000 per year plus health insurance, registration fees, tuition, and a research allowance of $5000 per year to cover laboratory supplies, travel, and books.
Award period: two years, with the second year contingent on satisfactory progress in the program.
Course requirements: Introduction to Stem Cell Biology, Ethics of Stem Cell Research, and Embryonic Stem Cell Laboratory. Scholars must achieve a grade B or higher in these courses, and must also meet the requirements of their Ph.D. program. Scholars will consult with both their departmental (or thesis) and CIRM advisory committees for guidance on courses and to ensure that the requirements of both programs are met.
Other requirements: Scholars must submit a 1-2 page report near the end of their first year, which must be approved by the Executive Committee prior to embarking on the second year of scholarship.
Eligibility: Candidates must be in their second year of study or later and in excellent academic standing within their graduate program. Trainees are not required to be California residents or US citizens. UCSC and the CIRM are particularly interested in training a diverse pool of individuals from many backgrounds, including underrepresented minorities.
Selection criteria: The CIRM Executive Committee will select Scholars based on academic record, written recommendations, quality of publications and project proposal, and potential impact of the proposed research on the field of stem cell research.
Application process: Submit the following electronically to the advisory committee of your graduate program:
1. a 2-4-page description of your project
2. your CV
3. a letter of support from the CIRM mentor in whose laboratory the work will be performed
4. (optional) arrange for a second letter of support to be submitted to the advisory committee on your behalf
The graduate program advisory committee will then forward nominations of their choosing by email to apply-CIRM@soe.ucsc.edu. Please do not send your application directly; it must be submitted by a member of your graduate program's advisory committee.
Application deadline: The application deadline for the first cycle of scholars has passed
Start date: July 1, 2006
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