Research Mentorship Peer Mentoring Programs in Research
K Club
K Club is a year-long program for scientists planning to submit a career development award within the next 12 to 18 months. At the start of each month, K Club faculty advisors give a didactic lecture via Zoom about one or more sections of the K grant. Workshop participants then have two to three weeks to complete a related writing assignment and submit it to their peers for written feedback, followed by a writing and discussion workshop at the end of the month, attended by peers and faculty advisors. The goal of K Club is a completed K grant that is ready for submission by the end of the program.
K-to-R Group
The K-to-R Group supports current K-awardees on their journey to securing their first R01 grants. The group holds monthly in-person meetings (virtual option available) that provide a collaborative environment in which K-awardees can discuss their progress, share challenges and successes, and brainstorm with peers to address any issues they encounter. The program is further enriched by invited guest speakers who cover a variety of relevant topics. Recent talks have addressed subjects such as scientific writing, NIH grant opportunities and the grant review system, and promotion in academia.
MidCAPS
MidCAPS (Mid-Career Advancement and Professional Development Group) is for research investigators who have established a lab and achieved initial independent funding at the R01 level or its equivalent. Its monthly, in-person meetings provide a safe space in which peers help each other navigate the challenges of running a lab and continuing their career development. Discussion topics include grants, papers, personnel, promotion and tenure, and resource allocation. One member of the group also presents at each meeting, touching on his or her latest career successes and challenges.
To join these groups or for more information, please visit the
Texas Children’s Research Support hub.