Pediatric Scientist Development Program

Application Process

Step 1: Eligibility Screening (Due February 16, 2026)

Read Statement on Clinical and Translational Research

Submit eligibility form to program administrator

Both documents available at https://amspdc-psdp.org/applying/

Applications from those who have not submitted eligibility form will not be considered

Step 2: Program Administrator Review

Determines eligibility based on stated criteria

Sends application form and instructions to eligible applicants

Step 3: Complete Application (Due April 15, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. ET)

Submit approximately 15 months before program start

Required Application Materials:
1. Application Form - including:
- Applicant name
- Names of nominating and sponsoring chairs
- Residency information
- Name(s) of proposed research mentor(s) and laboratory site

2. Personal Statement - addressing:
- Rationale for clinical sub-specialty choice
- Choice of research area
- Career goals

3. Research Proposal - six pages (NIH R21 style):
- Prepared in conjunction with proposed mentor
- MD/PhD applicants must propose research outside their PhD area
- If requesting clinical time (up to 20% in years 1-2), must include:
- Detailed justification
- Specific populations to be seen
- How time will be spent
- Mentor signed approval
- If proposing additional training/coursework, must clearly identify and justify necessity

4. Letter from Nominating Chair:
- Department chair from pediatric residency program
- Acknowledges department sponsorship or identification of sponsoring department
- Commits to assist candidate in finding junior faculty position
- Ensures 2 years of support with 75% research time

5. Letter from Sponsoring Chair:
- Chair of sponsoring department (may or may not be nominating department)
- Commits to funding clinical component of fellowship training
- Commits to helping find junior faculty position with 2 years support, 75% research time
- Verifies no clinical duties during first 2 years of PSDP training
- Affirms at least 80% protected research time in year 3
- Must approve if proposing patient-oriented or translational research

6. Letter of Support from Research Mentor:
- Mentor rank: Associate Professor or higher
- Description of laboratory and scope of research
- Educational curriculum/mentoring plan for trainee
- Other personnel involved in training
- Agreement with no clinical duties policy for years 1-2
- Approval if research requires patient contact

7. Mentor's NIH Documents:
- Current biographic sketch (5 pages)
- NIH Other Support documentation

8. Applicant's NIH Biographic Sketch (5 pages):
- Publications, honors, and awards

9. Academic Transcripts:
- Final medical school transcripts
- Graduate school transcripts (if applicable)

10. Letters of Reference:
- One additional letter from former faculty mentor or contact
- Cannot be from nominating chair, sponsoring chair, or research mentor

Submission Instructions:

Upload all documents via REDCap platform

Submit directly to Pediatric Scientist Development Program Administrator only if specifically instructed

Must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on April 15, 2026

If deadline falls on weekend, moves to following Monday

Important Notes:

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered

Applicant is responsible for ensuring receipt by deadline

Clinical activities will be tracked to ensure 20% allotment is not exceeded