TB Research and Mentorship Program (TB RAMP)
Program Components Scholar Eligibility How to Apply Timeline FAQs
SCHOLAR LISTS
FALL 2024 global fellows FALL 2024
FALL 2023 FALL 2022 SPRING 2022 FALL 2021
Until the COVID-19 pandemic, tuberculosis (TB) was the leading infectious cause of death worldwide, surpassing HIV/AIDS. Momentum for tackling TB is increasing globally, with political commitments indicated at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting in 2018, and a new research and development roadmap delineated in the NIAID Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Research. In order to meet the nation’s and global needs for conducting innovative biomedical, clinical, and epidemiologic research in TB, a significant enhancement of educational, training and mentorship opportunities focused specifically on TB is needed. UCSF and UC Berkeley have the diverse expertise and strengths in TB training and research to provide such opportunities.
With funding from the NIH/NIAID, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and University of California, Berkeley (UCB) partnered and have been selected as one of six national Tuberculosis Research Advancement Centers (TRACs). The UC TRAC will support the development of the next generation of TB researchers.
The TB RAMP Program will remain the foundational mentoring program, now housed within the UC TRAC. As the mentoring program in UC TRAC, TB RAMP is an integrated program of creative educational, training, and mentoring activities with a focus on research skills development, provision of research opportunities and experiences, and sustained mentoring activities. The TB RAMP Program will continue to grow with the greater infrastructure of the TRAC, under the guidance of Drs. Fair, Nahid, and Reingold.
The program is designed to prepare early-stage investigators (advanced doctoral students, fellows, postdocs, and junior faculty) from UCSF and UC Berkeley for successful careers in TB research. Through this research education program focused on TB, we promote and catalyze collaborations between existing faculty across disciplines spanning basic, clinical, and social and population health sciences; attract and cultivate early-stage investigators in the TB field; and strengthen TB research expertise both at UCSF and UC Berkeley.
Program Components
The TB RAMP Program is designed to engage scholars over two years, with TB RAMP Scholars dedicating ~4 hours/month to engage with faculty, refine their research ideas, and gain skills for launching independent research careers. Core components are designed to foster collaborative, transdisciplinary approach to studying TB, including:
- Individual tailored research and career mentoring in TB from highly regarded UC investigators
- Participation in UCSF Center for Tuberculosis research seminars with rotating schedule of didactic sessions, works in progress, and faculty panels
- Professional skill development focused on grant and manuscript writing
- Leadership opportunities and networking within the UCSF Center for Tuberculosis and through the annual World TB Day Symposium
- Stipends to promote research activities, including fees for courses, conference registration, publication fees, etc.
- Opportunity to compete for research funding, via the UCSF Resource Allocation Program (RAP) mechanism
TB RAMP Scholar Eligibility
- Advanced doctoral students, fellows, post-docs, or junior faculty (assistant professor level) at UCSF or UC Berkeley.
- Evidence of commitment to TB research or promising early-stage investigators seeking to transition career focus to TB.
- Ability to dedicate 2-4 hours per week on TB RAMP research or mentoring activities.
- Existing institutional commitment of salary support. TB RAMP provides educational and research stipends, but applicants to this program must have an existing position at UCSF or UC Berkeley.
- Accepted TB RAMP Scholars must retain their position/appointment at UCSF or UC Berkeley to participate in the program, have access to its educational opportunities, and research funding mechanisms. Scholars in good standing who lose their academic position will be graduated early from the program.
Applications accepted annually in the Spring (April deadline) for a two-year commitment with the TB RAMP program.
How to Apply
Please submit your application by email to [email protected] attaching:
- Application form - download it here
- Single PDF including:
- Current NIH-style Biosketch
- Summary of your TB research work and interests (500 words max)
- Description about why you want to be a TB RAMP Scholar, including names of potential mentors (200 words max)
- 2 letters of reference from faculty who can speak to your interest/work in TB (sent separately)
Timeline
- Applications open annually in early Spring
- Deadline to apply: Friday, April 19, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does it mean to be TB RAMP Scholar?
TB RAMP Scholars will receive mentorship from the program directors and core TRAC faculty; be matched with a research mentor; receive didactic research and methods training; individualized career development; research and networking opportunities; and a chance to compete for TB research funding via the UCSF RAP mechanism.
Who are the TB RAMP Mentors?
How am I matched with a mentor?
In the admissions process you will be asked to name additional mentors you would be excited to work with and why. The program directors will connect you with complementary faculty based on shared interests and availability.
What do I gain from being a TB RAMP Scholar?
As a TB RAMP Scholar, you will gain a network of peers and multidisciplinary faculty dedicated to TB. You will be part of a close TB research community within the TRAC across UCSF and UC Berkeley. You will participate in regular research meetings, faculty panels, and an annual research symposium hosted by the UCSF Center for Tuberculosis. In addition, you will have access to monthly Professional Development Workshops in coordination with CFAR. You will receive support in developing your independent research questions and portfolio, and have the opportunity to apply for TB-specific funding mechanisms.
What home departments typically support TB RAMP Scholars?
TB RAMP Scholars can come from any Department/Division across UCSF or UC Berkeley, spanning clinical, basic, social and population sciences. Examples of departments include: infectious diseases, pulmonary medicine, experimental medicine, public health, epidemiology, systems biology, genomics, immunology, health economics, pharmacy, nursing, implementation sciences, diplomacy and policy, anthropology, global health, and more!
Can I apply for a Mentored Scientist Award in Tuberculosis through RAP and also apply to be a TB RAMP Scholar?
Yes, there are two ways into the TB RAMP Program. You can directly apply to become a TB RAMP Scholar or you can also apply for a “Mentored Scientist Award in Tuberculosis” through the UCSF RAP mechanism. If you receive research funds through this RAP award you will automatically be admitted into the TB RAMP program.
What is the length of the program and the time commitment?
The length of the program is two years, with a time commitment of approximately 2-4 hours per week.
How frequent are trainings/didactics held?
The TB RAMP Program hosts bi-weekly TB Scholar Sessions. In addition, scholars attend monthly TB research meetings, professional development workshops, TB clinic conferences, and an annual research symposium nested within the Annual World TB Day Symposium.
If TB is only one aspect of my work, am I still eligible to apply?
TB RAMP is committed to supporting scholars dedicated to TB research as their primary focus. TB should comprise the majority of work of the scholar.
If I applied for the Mentored Under-represented Scientist Award in TB through the RAP mechanism, do I also need to submit a separate application to the TB RAMP Scholar Program?
If you already applied for the RAP Mentored Under-represented Scientist Award in TB, you do not need to submit a separate application to the TB RAMP Scholar Program (even if you do not receive this RAP award)
If I applied for the Mentored Scientist Award in TB through the RAP mechanism, do I also need to send a separate application to the TB RAMP Scholar program?
If you already applied for the RAP Mentored Scientist Award in TB, you do not need to submit a separate application to the TB RAMP Scholar Program (even if you do not receive this RAP award)
Program Contact:
Should you have any questions regarding the TB RAMP Program or submission of materials, please contact: [email protected]
Funding for TB RAMP is provided by NIH/NIAID, award R25AI147375.