How to Apply

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

Applications are reviewed in two cycles each year, with deadlines of December 1 and May 1. Applications are submitted through our online application form.

Start your application →

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.

I am applying as a… Predoctoral applicant Postdoctoral applicant

My proposed research is in scope for KUH — benign (non-malignant) nephrology, urology, or hematology — and is not malignancy-related. It does not focus on cancer, including kidney, urologic, or hematologic malignancy.
I have identified a primary research mentor at Yale or UConn Health who is willing to support my application. (Your own affiliation with Yale or UConn Health is not required, but your primary mentor’s is.)
I am a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green-card holder), as required for NIH NRSA appointment.
I hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or DO) or am enrolled in a doctoral-degree–granting program.
I have passed my qualifying examination (advanced to candidacy).
I am not currently appointed to another NIH training grant (e.g., a T32/TL1 or NRSA fellowship), and any prior NRSA support is within NIH aggregate limits (up to 5 years predoctoral, 3 years postdoctoral).
I can commit to a full-time, mentored research training experience.

0 of 6 confirmed. Choose whether you’re applying predoctorally or postdoctorally, then confirm each item.

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 benign (non-malignant) nephrology, urology, or hematology. Cancer-focused research is not in scope for this program.
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

A request for applications is sent ahead of each cycle 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

Identify a mentor. Review the faculty & mentors and connect with a preceptor whose research aligns with your interests.
Prepare your materials. Assemble the required documents for both you and your mentorship team.
Submit your application. Complete the online application form, uploading your applicant materials (Part I) and your mentor’s materials (Part II) as PDFs. Ask your mentor for their documents before you start, and name files LastName_FirstName_Document (e.g., Doe_Jane_PersonalStatement.pdf) so we can keep submissions organized.
Review & selection. After the cycle closes, applications are ranked in a study-section format and appointments confirmed by the Administrative Committee.

Open the application form →

If the link above doesn’t open, go to uchredcap.uchc.edu/redcap/surveys and enter access code HF4YETM3R. The form is hosted on UConn Health’s REDCap.

Application materials

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

Your general applicant information is collected by the application form itself. Have the following ready to upload as PDFs.

Part I — Applicant

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

Application deadlines: CKRT runs two application cycles per year — materials are due by December 1 and May 1. Email apply@ckrt.org with any questions about the process.

Questions? Email info@ckrt.org or see the contact page.