The 2024 CHIPS Research Training Institute will be hosted by the Johns Hopkins University

Funded through a five-year grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, this dynamic, interdisciplinary training consortium will enhance your career and help you find direction and faculty mentors. By attending the program’s five-day intensive annual Research Institute, you’ll refine your objectives and shape a large-scale research project.

Who Should Apply

If you are a child psychiatry resident, postdoctoral fellow, or junior faculty member with an interest in mental health research for children and adolescents, we invite you to apply.

Our program is specifically tailored to trainees who hope to apply for early career awards from the NIMH Division of Services and Intervention Research (DSIR) http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/organization/dsir/index.shtml.  

We cannot accept applicants primarily interested in autism research (with the exception of autism services research which falls under our umbrella) or drug and alcohol abuse research, since those candidates would likely apply for NIMH Division of Translational Research or NICHD, NIDA, or NIAAA grants respectively.

We accept MDs in a variety of disciplines (e.g., psychiatry, neurology, pediatrics) and PhDs working in the following broad areas:

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Social work

• Nursing

• Public health

• Other areas: check with us by email if you are in another area

Application Instructions

Please prepare the following documents to submit with the application:

• Curriculum vitae (titled YourLastName,YourFirstName – CV)

• 3-5 page description of a proposed research project with Aims, Background, Significance, and Methods. Include your name and institutional affiliation (title this file YourLastName,YourFirstName – researchplan).

• 1-2 page description of your career goals and training objectives and how the CHIPS program can help you attain these objectives. Include your name and institutional affiliation (title this file YourLastName,YourFirstName – goals).

• 2 letters of recommendation

You will also need to list:

• Grants (titles, agency, mechanism, status) you have received, submitted, or are planning to submit

• Scientific meetings you have attended and/or presented at

• Honors/awards you have received

• Professional societies you belong to

After completion of the Electronic application form and assembling the other required files (in PDF format) please attach them all to a single email and send to Amanda Trujillo, the CHIPS administrator.  She will send return email acknowledging your submission.

Benefits

As a CHIPS fellow, you will attend the CHIPS Research Institute to learn the tenets of solid research skills from some of the leading experts in your field in a fast-paced, stimulating setting.

By working one on one with your CHIPS mentor, you will build the survival skills you need to pursue grant funding in a highly competitive environment. The CHIPS Research Institute is also a great place to meet NIMH staff who can advise you on how to maximize your chances of being funded.  During the conference, you will have the opportunity to network with other participants, some of whom could become future research collaborators.

The content of the program varies every year, but there is always a panel discussion with recent K-awardees, a lecture by NIMH staff about the different funding mechanisms available, and one-on-one meetings with expert researchers, statisticians for individualized consultations, and NIMH staff who will help you to refine and craft your research plans.  You will also be given two opportunities during the conference to present your research plan to the CHIPS faculty, fellows, and NIMH staff for feedback and advice.

CHIPS Mentors

CHIPS mentors are among the leading researchers in the prevention, intervention and services for child and adolescent mental health:

• Neal Ryan, MD, University of Pittsburgh

• Randy Auerbach, PhD, Columbia University

• Deborah Beidel, PhD, University of Central Florida

• Catherine Bradshaw, PhD, University of Virginia

• David Brent, MD, University of Pittsburgh

• Nicholas Ialongo, PhD, Johns Hopkins University

• John Landsverk, PhD, Oregon Social Learning Center

• Joan Luby, MD, Washington University in St. Louis

• Velma McBride Murry, PhD, Vanderbilt University

• Irwin Sandler, PhD, Arizona State University

• Bonnie Zima, MD, MPH, University of California, Los Angeles