K12 Research in Addictions Scholars Program (KRASP) FAQ

The purpose of the KRASP it to fosters the development of future clinical research leaders and to generate new knowledge to improve health as it relates to substance use and substance use disorders. This is done by providing individuals with rigorous training, helping them to develop and execute research projects, mentorship in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment and involvement in career development activities.

Junior faculty (within their first 5 years) who are interested in developing academic and research expertise with a focus on addictions and plan to conduct, or are conducting, research. Your faculty rank must be either Instructor, Assistant Professor, Research Associate, Assistant Scientist, or the equivalent. If you are currently in your last fellowship year and have a pending faculty appointment beginning on or prior to the start of a KRASP award, you are eligible.

This is a three-year program with the award providing funding for the three years (contingent each year on performance in the prior year(s)).

Please review the “Candidate Eligibility” link on the right side of this webpage. To be eligible for a KRASP award, each of the listed criteria must be met. Note that potential candidates are limited to United States citizens or Permanent Residents (before application, this may be subject to verification). Further details on eligibility can be found via the link.

Individuals are not eligible if they have been PI on an R01 or R29 award, a subproject of a program project (P01) or center project (P50, P60, U54), a mentored career development (K) award, or another equivalent research grant. However, they are eligible if have had support from a NRSA (F or T) or NIH small grant (R03). So, if you’ve had a K23 award, you would not be eligible for this award.

No, NIH policy does not permit multiple K applications under review simultaneously.

U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and non-citizen nationals are eligible, but not those on temporary or student visas. Proof of status may be required prior to official appointment.

As the program does not have a fixed date for applications, reviews will take place as a function of open slots. Candidates being considered for a slot will generally be interviewed and notified of their status within 1-2 months of the interview.

Applications are evaluated by a selection committee that considers prior training, research, and commitment to a clinical research career in addictions, as well as the potential to excel. Slots for the program can open throughout the year, and interested persons are encouraged to regularly check the KRASP website to see if slots are available. Announcements to leaders in departments and schools will be sent out as well when there are open slots. 

There are four training slots funded by this award. The number of new appointments changes per year, depending upon whether the cohort of accepted scholars stay for 1, 2 or 3 years. In the first year, it is expected there will be four scholars appointed.

The program is not limited to physicians, and persons with a PhD or other similar terminal degree are welcome to apply.

As this is a new program, we do not have data on the number of applicants versus the number accepted into the program. For the ICTR Clinical Research Scholars Program (K12), while it varies from year to year, that program averages a 33% accept rate for faculty that are eligible and who have completed all required components of the application.

Yes, you may reapply to the program if you were not accepted before (and assuming you still meet the eligibility requirements). However, reapplying does not guarantee admittance.

No, but you are welcome to reapply when another training slot opens. There is no guarantee that you will be accepted if you decline one year and then reapply in a subsequent year.

No, all applications are evaluated individually on their merit. Awardees will need to demonstrate outstanding capabilities and potential no matter their department/division/school.

We expect there will always be a pool of strong candidates when a slot is open. If for some reason the applicant pool is not strong, we will defer on filling a slot and issue another call for applicants. The goal is to have strong scholars, not to simply fill slots for the sake of filling slots.

Yes, resources for tuition are available for scholars’ formal degree programs and approved courses that are in alignment with the scholars’ required curriculum, research training, and career development goals. Please be aware that tuition support paid on behalf of faculty is considered taxable income.

Yes, but this is rare. Exceptions to the 75% effort requirement may be made for limited specialties (e.g., surgical specialties requiring greater clinical effort to maintain surgical skills), but any exceptions must be sufficiently justified and approved prior to receipt of the award.

Scholars cannot derive salary support from other NIH grants to cover the remaining portion of their salary. Non-NIH sources must be used. Grants from private foundations, voluntary organizations (e.g., Heart Association, Cancer Society), and professional societies are all acceptable. However, scholars are encouraged to apply for other independent NIH awards such as an R01 or R34 during the time of this NIDA K12 funding. If awarded such R-level funding, they can decrease support from this K12 to no less than six months of effort while holding the other NIH award (s). Scholars are also encouraged to consider applying for a K-level grant as PI, but if awarded, they cannot hold two concurrent K awards (i.e., they will need to relinquish the K12 funding).

For physicians, up to $100,000 (plus fringe) of salary support for 75% effort is provided each year. If this amount covers less than 75% of their salary, then other departmental or divisional sources will need to be identified to ensure the scholar will have 75% time for this program. For non-physicians (e.g., PhDs), up to $70,000 (plus fringe) of salary support for 75% effort is provided each year. If this amount covers less than 75% of their salary, then other departmental or divisional sources will need to be identified to ensure the scholar will have 75% time for this program. These amounts may change over time, and applicants can check with the KRASP leadership to confirm the amounts.

The KRASP provides additional funding for each scholar to help support their research. Up to $50,000 per year for each Scholar is available. These funds may not be used for the Scholar’s salary support.  

No, appointed KRASP scholars may apply for K08 or K23 support (and are encouraged to do so). If successful, they move from one mechanism to the other. However, the total combined K award time cannot exceed 6 years. The goal is to have KRASP awardees “graduate” to NIH funding. Often, this may be an NIH career development award in the K series.

A faculty appointment in Medicine, Public Health, Nursing or Engineering is required for the KL2 appointment. If you are currently in your last fellowship year but will be appointed to faculty on or before the start of the KRASP award date, you will need to submit a letter from the department/division indicating this pending appointment in your application.

A person conducting preclinical research that has a strong and clear translational focus may quality for this award, but the goal is to train clinical researchers. A person conducting preclinical research must have at least one person on their mentorship team who has a clinical experience.

Ideally, office space for a scholar should be in close proximity to the primary mentor’s office, and the scholar should discuss their office location with their primary mentor. A scholar can discuss with the KRASP PIs if there are issues with identifying office space. Some space may be available on the JHBMC campus.

No, this K12 is an institutional career development award granted to Johns Hopkins. Awards are non-transferrable. Scholars who leave Johns Hopkins will have their award terminated and will not be able to continue to receive funding from the program.

Yes. More information about the LRP can be found at http://www.lrp.nih.gov. Obtaining an LRP does not alter your KRASP award status.

You are encouraged to contact Cordellia E Sawyer-French at
[email protected].