How to Apply

CKRT recruits trainees of exceptional promise — predoctoral students, postdoctoral physician-scientists, and postdoctoral PhD scientists — pursuing research-focused careers in nephrology, urology, or classical hematology.

Am I eligible?

CKRT is a focused NIH NRSA (TL1) training program, so eligibility is fairly specific. Run through this quick self-check before you invest time in an application — confirm each item that applies to you. If you can’t confirm one of these, you most likely are not eligible for this cycle.

This self-check is a guide, not a formal eligibility determination. If you’re unsure about any item — especially prior training-grant support or whether your project is in scope — email info@ckrt.org before applying.

Who can apply

• Predoctoral students, postdoctoral physician-scientists, and postdoctoral PhD scientists pursuing intensive research training in nephrology, classical (benign) hematology, or benign urology.
• Mentorship: affiliation with Yale or UConn Health is not required, but every trainee must have a primary research mentor at Yale or UConn Health. Identify one before applying.
• Career stage: applicants must hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or DO) or be enrolled in a doctoral-degree–granting program.
• Citizenship: TL1 appointment is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green-card holders), per NIH NRSA policy.
• A commitment to a full-time, mentored research training experience.

Selection

An annual request for applications is sent to relevant departments at both institutions (e.g., Medicine, Public Health, Biomedical Engineering), to relevant national societies and professional organizations, and via social media. Applicants are reviewed using a study-section format: one appointment slot is reserved annually for a trainee from each KUH discipline, with additional at-large slots awarded on the basis of scientific merit and research potential. Postdoctoral appointments use a match system to balance home institution and subject area.

At current capacity, CKRT supports four postdoctoral and two predoctoral trainees.

Mentorship structure

Every appointed trainee is paired with a primary research mentor who has completed mentor training and been approved by the Administrative Committee, plus a secondary mentor at the partnering institution. Each trainee also has a dedicated mentoring team supporting both research progress and career development.

How to apply

1. Identify a mentor. Review the faculty & mentors and connect with a preceptor whose research aligns with your interests.
2. Prepare your materials. Assemble the required documents for both you and your mentorship team.
3. Submit your application. Email all materials as PDF attachments to apply@ckrt.org. Please combine your applicant materials (Part I) into a single PDF and have your mentor send the mentorship materials (Part II) to the same address. Name files LastName_FirstName_Document (e.g., Doe_Jane_PersonalStatement.pdf) so we can keep submissions organized.
4. Review & selection. Applications are ranked in a study-section format and appointments confirmed by the Administrative Committee.

Application materials

Prefer a printable version to share or work on offline? Download the one-page application flyer (PDF).

Download application flyer (PDF)

Part I — Applicant

• General applicant information — complete the fillable cover sheet (PDF) and include it as the first page of your Part I PDF
• NIH biosketch or CV of the applicant (no specified format)
• Personal statement (½ to 1 page)
• Research plan (500-word limit, excluding references or figures)
• Training plan (½ to 1 page)
• Graduate transcripts — required for predoctoral applicants and PhD-track postdocs

Part II — Mentor or mentorship team

• NIH biosketch of the primary mentor (no specified format)
• One letter of support from the mentor(s) / mentorship team; multiple mentors may sign (2-page limit)
• List of current funding sources