Overview
The Clinical and Translational Science Fellowship Program supports predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows who are seeking a broad introduction to clinical and translational research. The goal of the training program is to develop translational scientists who can think across systems and are skilled communicators, rigorous researchers, domain experts, process innovators, and team players who are able to cross the boundaries that traditionally separate disciplines.

The program, funded through an NIH TL1 award is offered annually to 5-6 fellows competitively selected from Princeton University, Rutgers University and New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Each fellow, in collaboration with their Ph.D. thesis advisor or postdoctoral primary research mentor and program leadership, will design a personalized program based on their prior experience, current research project and future goals. The customized training program will include both didactic and experiential learning opportunities, incorporating the clinical/translational components of the program into the fellow’s ongoing research project, and culminating in a Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science upon program completion.
Requirements and Opportunities
- Fellows will develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to guide training and acquisition of translational science knowledge and skills
- Fellows will participate in a Core Curriculum comprised of courses appropriate to their research and level of training. Training includes required and elective didactic programs, seminars/workshops, and other career development offerings
- Participation in the program requires a total commitment of 2-3 years
- A required Core Curriculum is based on an expectation that a number of core competencies will be achieved
- The Core Curriculum will require an average of 10-15% of the fellow’s time during each year of the 2-3 year training period, requiring an additional 2-4 courses beyond the fellow’s prior coursework
- A variety of experiential learning opportunities will also be available (e.g., shadowing clinicians, participating in computational studies, community outreach) and a minimum of 24 of these contact hours (3 days) are required
- Fellows are expected to publish their findings in well-respected scientific journals and prepare applications for fellowships and/or independent funding prior to program completion
Award Provisions
The TL1 award provides each fellow with one year of support during the 2-3-year program that includes stipend/salary and benefits, tuition for postdoctoral trainees (for participation in coursework), funds for professional travel to required conferences, and training/research-related expenses (for predoctoral students only).
Additional Information
For more information on eligibility criteria, program requirements, and the review criteria and selection process, refer to the 'Become a TL1 Fellow' section at the bottom of the training program web page.
Carefully review the Princeton-specific funding information and application instructions on the Training Awards web page.
To apply, a required Letter of Intent (LOI) must be submitted by March 22, 2023. Visit https://redcap.link/2023NJACTSTL1fellowship to submit an LOI. After submitting an LOI, you will receive a customized link to an online application. Applications are due April 14, 2023 by 5 pm.
Current Fellows
Current fellows from Princeton include MD/PhD student Camden MacDowell (PNI), postdoctoral trainees Rebecca Kim-Yip (MOL) and Krystal Lum (MOL), and PhD students Ellen Acosta (MOL), Esmat Hegazi (MOL) and Brandon Trejo (MOL). They join fellows from Rutgers and NJIT to round out the group participating in the program.
Our program alumni include Tom Zajdel (MAE), Chloe Cavanaugh (MOL), Christos Suriano (PNI), and Susan Leggett (CBE). Watch this video and meet the Fellows.