BIRCWH Program Application

Eligibility Requirements

At the time of the award, applicants must:

1. Be US citizens or non-citizen permanent residents lawfully admitted for permanent residence and in possession of an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-155) or some other verification of legal admission to the US as a permanent citizen
2. Have earned such a degree as MD, PhD, DO, DDS, DVM, OD, DC, PharmD, ND, as well as the clinical PhD (e.g. psychologists) or be nurses with doctoral degrees.
3. Have completed any postgraduate training (postdoctoral fellowship, residency, or clinical fellowship) and be no more than six years out from the completion of that training
4. Be conducting research in one of the following six areas of women’s health; (1) Addiction, (2) Adolescent Health, (3) Endocrinology, (4) Geriatrics, (5) Infectious Disease & Immunology, and (6) Minority Health & Health Disparities 
5. Be eligible to be appointed at the early assistant professor level
6. Not have been a principal investigator on an RO1, R21 or sub-project of a Program Project(P01).
7. Be willing to spend at least 75% of their full professional effort on research.

Who should apply?

Successful applicants will not be new to research but will have some trained in basic science or clinical research methods.

They will have developed a research interest in one of the areas mentioned in the paragraph above, the focus of which is not generic, but is clearly on a women's health issue.

They will be able to show evidence of publication as first author in peer-reviewed journals and the ability to obtain independent research funding.

The selection process will emphasize talent, commitment to women’s health, and applicant's aptness for work with our selection of mentors and the diversity of our program.

Mailing Instructions

Portions of the application may be submitted by email as denoted by an asterisk (*) below. All other materials should be submitted by mail to the following address. Letters of reference to the BIRCWH Program should be mailed by the mentor, department chair, or other supervisor directly to the BIRCWH Program.

The University of Texas Medical Branch
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
BIRCWH Program Application
Attn: Abbey B. Berenson, MD
301 University Blvd
Galveston Texas 77555-0587
Email: abberens@utmb.edu

Application Materials Required

Each applicant must submit:

1. a properly completed application*
2. a letter of interest (no longer than 3 pages) including (a) whether you are interested in the Basic Science or Clinical Investigation Track, (b) your professional goals with emphasis on how participation in the BIRCWH will help you become an independent researcher in women’s health, (c) a description of your prior research training, (d) a description of your specific research interests and experience in women’s health detailing how these relate to one of the 6 research areas described above, and (e) previous working relationship with one or more of the BIRCWH mentors listed on the BIRCWH website, if applicable
3. a current curriculum vita*
4. a transcript or photocopy of your graduate diploma
5. three letters of reference, from a research mentor, department chair, or other supervisor, and
6. copies of published work*

Once submitted, the application for admission and all supporting documents become the property of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) and are not returned to the individual submitting them or on whose behalf the documents are submitted.

Policy on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a Vietnam era veteran in any of its policies, practices, and procedures. In addition, The University of Texas Medical Branch does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, educational services, access to facilities and services. The university, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, is committed to developing and implementing affirmative action strategies with respect to minority individuals, women, Vietnam era veterans, and persons with disabilities.

Policy on Criminal Background Screening. The University of Texas Medical Branch requires that a criminal background check be completed on all personnel prior to beginning the BIRCWH Program. Applicants will be required to complete a form authorizing the university to complete the criminal background check.

Campus Security Report. In compliance with the Campus Security Act of 1990, UTMB prepares an Annual Security Report available online at http://www2.utmb.edu/securityreport/.