Mentors

CTSI-Ed’s mission is to train the next generation of independent investigators in clinical and translational science. For their mentored research, Scholars are required to have a 2-person mentoring team that consists of a primary mentor and a translational research mentor. 

Primary Mentor

For predoctoral students, typically the primary mentor is the applicant’s dissertation advisor, but that is not a requirement. For all Scholars (pre- and postdocs), primary mentors must be University of Minnesota faculty and must have: 

• Substantial research experience including a stable, active and externally funded clinical and translational science (CTS) research program; 

• A strong track record of research dissemination, including CTS-related publications within past 2-3 yrs; 

• A strong track record of successful training of predoctoral and/or postdoctoral Scholars (i.e., have progressed to productive research careers); 

• Sufficient funds to ensure that the applicant has the necessary research support for expenses; 

• A history of working successfully in multidisciplinary research teams.

Applicants or mentors with questions may discuss them with Dr. Jayne Fulkerson (fulke001@umn.edu) before submitting their Letters of Intent or full applications. 

Translational Mentor

The translational research mentor should be a faculty member from a discipline different from the primary mentor and whose research promotes the Scholar’s translational research.

An accessible and downloadable version of Mentor Requirements and Milestones is available.

Requirements and Milestones for Primary Mentors only

• Complete the Mentoring Excellence Training Academy (META) program within at least six months of their mentee joining the TRDP program or as soon as possible thereafter* (The next META sessions will be May 5th, 12th, and 19th, 2026  from 2-4pm daily.)

• Develop an advising statement; share it and discuss it with Scholar and CTSI-Ed (ctsieduc@umn.edu) 

• Ensure proper citation of mentee's work and compliance with NIH Public Access Policy (acknowledgement of grant funding in the manuscript and link to grant within open access system)

• Complete several evaluation surveys at the start of the program, midpoint and endpoint

• Work with TRDP Program administrators to complete all NIH reporting requirements including the annual Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)

* Mentors who have completed META or OPM training previously are not required to take it again. 

Provide Mentees with NIH Biosketch and Other Support

Should your mentee be invited to submit a full application to the TRDP program, please provide them with your up-to-date Biographical Sketch, Current and Pending (Other) Support, and NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement forms

All Mentors

Contact the TRDP Program Director, Jayne Fulkerson, PhD, if you encounter difficulties with any component of the program, if your Scholar’s project changes, if you will no longer serve as a mentor, if you leave the University of Minnesota, or if your Scholar is leaving the TRDP program earlier than contracted (e.g. graduate early, receiving another grant award).