Skip to main content

Clinical Trialist Training Program

The Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP) is a joint initiative between the CRSO, NC TraCS, and the Lineberger Cancer Center. This initiative provides 10% salary support for one year of training to develop new site investigators for multicenter clinical trials.

The goal of this program is to engage new clinical trialists who will develop a clinical trial portfolio and generate continued salary support beyond the year of training. This funding opportunity is open to School of Medicine faculty who are in departments that can support a clinical trial.

Program & Training Experience

The CTTP will provide didactic training and hands-on trial experience including:

  • Participation in a “Clinical Trials 101 Bootcamp” (view curriculum)
  • Identification of multicenter trials in which to participate as the site Principal Investigator (PI)
  • Feasibility and financial assessments; contract execution and IRB applications; and recruitment strategies, tools, and budgeting for the selected trials
  • Support of TraCS staff knowledge and resources

Key Dates

RFA Release Date:  March 15, 2023
Application Deadline:  April 5, 2023, 5:00pm
Applicant Notification:  Mid-April 2023
Proposed Appointment Term:  July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Request for Applications

Clinical Trialist Training Program eligibility requirements and application process

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

  1. Can I participate in the bootcamp if I am not selected for the program or if I am not faculty in the School of Medicine?
    Yes. Participation in the year-long training program with salary support is only open to selected SOM faculty, but any UNC clinical faculty are welcome to attend the 2-day bootcamp course.
  2. Do I have to already have a clinical trial opportunity identified in order to apply?
    No. You do not need to have a specific trial opportunity available, but likelihood of available trials related to the applicant’s experience and therapeutic expertise will be considered in the application review process.
  3. Do I need to reduce my current effort to allow for the 10% salary support provided through this program, or can the 10% effort be added on top of my existing effort?
    Selected faculty must be able to reduce existing effort for the one-year period to allow for dedicated effort towards the program without exceeding 100% of full-time equivalent.
  4. What if my current salary is above the NIH salary cap?
    The CTTP provides 10% salary support (+fringe) for salaries up to the NIH salary cap. The current salary cap is $199,300. If your annual salary is above the NIH salary cap, then the remainder of the salary will be cost shared by your department.
  5. Do I have to have prior clinical trial experience?
    Previous clinical trial experience is not required.  The CTTP bootcamp will provide a high-level introduction to conducting clinical trials at UNC. Additional training and educational opportunities exist within TraCS and the CRSO for those who may wish to have more in-depth knowledge of clinical trial processes and regulations. These additional trainings are not required for the CTTP curriculum and are open to the general research community at UNC.