The Mentored Career Development in Clinical and Translational Science (MCD-CTS) is a three-year program created to support research career development for health professionals or individuals with research doctoral degrees who wish to pursue formal training and a career in clinical and translational research.

The SC CTSI Workforce Development (WD) group has funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to award up to four Clinical and Translational Research candidates every year. Scholars will be provided an opportunity to acquire and refine the core knowledge and skill sets needed to become future clinical translational investigators, and be taught the skills to complete a grant that would have a high probability of being funded.


The fundamental training and career development elements revolve around structured didactic coursework; monthly seminars in the design, conduct and analysis of clinical research in a team-based setting; engagement in related career development activities (e.g., conferences and a mentoring program); and hands-on conduct of a research project under the supervision of mentors. Scholars are selected by a committee, which considers the applicant's prior training, research, and commitment to a clinical or translational research career, as well as potential to excel in the program. Scholars are encouraged to obtain an advanced degree in the Master of Science in Clinical, Translational, and Biomedical Investigations (CBTI) from the Keck School of Medicine of USC which requires completion of the required 29 units of coursework or they may obtain a Certificate for completion of 15 units.

Application Details and Timeline Awardees

Recent KL2 Awardee articles

SC CTSI training helps pediatric surgeon-scientist build career as primary investigator
SC CTSI training helps pediatric surgeon-scientist build career as primary investigator
 Early adolescents with chronic illness co-develop video prototypes to aid eventual transition to adult care
Early adolescents with chronic illness co-develop video prototypes to aid eventual transition to adult care
 Lessening food insecurity is critical for diabetics with HIV, who face greater odds of advanced liver fibrosis
Lessening food insecurity is critical for people with diabetes and HIV, who face greater odds of advanced liver fibrosis
Taylor Burkholder, MD, MPH
Interview with Taylor Burkholder, MD, MPH, KL2 award recipient
 Melissa Bent, MD
Interview with Melissa Bent, MD, KL2 award recipient
 Bridgid Mariko Conn, Phd, ABPP
Interview with Bridgid Mariko Conn, PhD, ABPP, KL2 award recipient
 Kathleen Page, MD
Passing down generational knowledge of gestational diabetes risk for children

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NIH Funding Acknowledgment: Important - All publications resulting from the utilization of SC CTSI resources are required to credit the SC CTSI grant by including the NIH funding acknowledgment and must comply with the NIH Public Access Policy.