Through the Committee for Clinical Research, the University Hospital rechts der Isar offers two Clinician Scientist Programs for physicians in residency training, the Entry Program with a 4-month grant and the 12-month structured Main Program.
This gives fellows the opportunity to deepen the link between basic and clinical research, ensuring an efficient transfer from the bedside to the bench and back, which is compatible with residency training.
Since 2022, a structuring of the main program has taken place, so that the program now has a mandatory structure with fixed research periods, cross-sector mentoring and an individually adapted accompanying program. Thus, key scientific qualifications can be acquired at a high level and the exchange between Clinician Scientists from different disciplines is promoted.
Funding in the main program allows fellows to be released from medical practice (usually 50% over 2 years) and thus creates the urgently needed freedom to realize a Clinician Scientist career. It thus forms the basis for further research projects and paves the way for habilitation and long-term career prospects in science.
Committee
Intra-school funding in the Entry Program and Main Program is awarded annually via the Committee for Clinical Research. The elected members of the committee consist of equal numbers of representatives from clinical and research areas; Ulrike Protzer (Committee Chair), Stefan Engelhardt, Mikael Simons, Tilo Biedermann, Hans-Henning Eckstein and Alessandra Moretti. Qua office, the Dean and the Medical Director are also members of the Committee. Point of contact for all questions regarding the KKF is Dr. Brandt.
About
Mentoring
All fellows are supported by a mentoring team consisting of scientific and clinical mentors within the framework of an Advisory Committee. This team supports the fellows with regard to the implementation of the research project and the compilation of individual further training opportunities.
At the time of application, the clinical mentor should already be named, and both members of the Advisory Committee should be determined at the latest at the start of the program. A letter of support from the clinical mentors is to be attached to the application, in which the support of the respective clinic is assured and thus the release is guaranteed.
During feedback meetings, which take place at least annually, the progress of the respective research project and the individual curriculum is discussed and, if necessary, optimization strategies are discussed. By defining clinical and scientific milestones as part of the agreement on objectives at the beginning of the program, the respective progress can be better assessed and constructive advice can be given. Within the framework of these meetings, the fellows are required to prepare minutes of the meetings (interim reports and final report), which are forwarded to the Clinician Scientist Program office no later than 3 months after the meetings.
A dialog should be established between the mentors and the fellows, which ideally continues beyond the duration of the program and thus forms an important cornerstone of the growing network of fellows.
- Clinical mentor: This is the head of the clinic, department or institute, which guarantees that the fellows are released from work. The clinical mentor envisions the structured clinical training and establishes clinical milestones with the fellow at the beginning of the program. Through the clinical mentor, it is guaranteed that the fellows will be able to complete the necessary rotations as part of their residency training. He or she supports fellows in developing and refining their own clinical skills and works to ensure seamless progression through the training curriculum.
- Scientific mentor: This is the head of the scientific research group or postdoc with many years of scientific experience. The scientific mentor is responsible for the scientific progress of the fellow and agrees with him or her on the scientific milestones at the beginning of the program. The scientific mentor guarantees the use of the necessary laboratories. He or she supports the fellows in developing their own scientific skills, learning new techniques and taking advantage of necessary further training opportunities.
Structure
In addition to protected research time and binding mentoring, fellows can put together an individual accompanying curriculum within the framework of a qualification program. This consists of mandatory elements such as a regular jour fixe, an annual retreat, subject-specific progress reports and seminar series, as well as a portfolio of freely selectable courses. Thereby, fellows can specifically learn key skills they need for their individual careers as clinician scientists.
In compiling the course program, we have placed particular emphasis on the special requirements of Clinician Scientists, with a focus on methodological and personal development.
The fellows are expected to use the program to build a network as Clinician Scientists, with active participation in relevant scientific congresses supported by funding.
News & Events
Entry Program
The Entry Program includes a four-month leave of absence that can be taken at the beginning of residency training and up to 3 years after state examination. In addition to the leave of absence, fellows receive 1,000 Euros in non-cash funding. The prerequisite for application is a completed or submitted doctoral thesis.
Main Program
The Main Program includes a 12-month leave of absence over two years and is aimed at clinically active and research-active physicians from the fourth year of residency training up to 8 years after state examination. In addition to the leave of absence, the fellows receive 2,000 Euros in material resources. Prerequisite for the application is a completed doctoral thesis and at least one accepted publication.
Application
We are pleased to inform you that the application period for the KKF Entry and Main Program 2025 - 2026 has started!
The deadline for submitting applications in both programs for the new funding period is 31.05.2024.
Only individuals who have an employment contract through Chapter 1513 are eligible to apply for both programs. Applications from the German Heart Center may be reviewed for the purpose of quality review. However, in the event of a positive vote, funding for the release from clinical duties must be fully covered by the Heart Center.
For the Main Program, the utilization of the funding can take place over a maximum period of 24 months, i.e. from 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2026. The time in the laboratory can therefore also be completed in partial periods with a temporary return to clinical work.
The cut-off date for calculating the 3-year and 8-year periods is March 31 of each year. This allows those interested in applying, who have completed their studies in the spring (April-June) of a given year, to be eligible.
The exact requirements that applicants in the two programs must fulfill can be found in the respective application forms.
- Application form for the Main Program (12-month funding; funding period starting from 01.01.2025)
- Application form for the Entry Program (4-month funding; funding period starting from 01.01.2025)
Applications must be submitted both electronically as one pdf file (via email) to csp@mh.tum.de and as a hard copy signed by the head of the clinic via mail to:
Laura Vogelgesang
TUM School Office Medicine and Health
Bereich Talent Management & Diversity
Ismaninger Straße 69 (Bau 702)
81675 München
