Application process

Candidates for Mayo Clinic's Benefactor-Funded Research Established-Investigator Career Development Awards follow specific processes to apply, create budgets and develop research proposals. Applicants must be logged in to the Mayo Clinic network to use the START Application Tool, as well as other resources on the Mayo Clinic intranet.

Application deadline and important dates

  • The application deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at 5 p.m. Central time.
  • Awards will be announced in spring 2025.
  • The 2026 application deadline will be announced in December 2025.

Submitting an application

Applications are accepted only through the START Application Tool.

Use your Mayo Clinic LAN ID and password to log in. Within the START Application Tool, separate requests for applications (RFAs) have been developed for each career development award (CDA).

Application requirements

Applicants will submit their complete proposals directly in the START Application Tool. Enter Goals, Preliminary Data, Specific Aims, Research Plan and Expected Outcome in the text boxes.

Applicants should have a well-defined research focus and project proposal that aligns with the goal of developing their research career expertise in artificial intelligence. The proposed research should be innovative and have the potential to make a significant impact in the research field, along with furthering the individual's career development.

Mentorship and collaborations

This funding opportunity seeks to support the career development of individuals who are experienced researchers, but not yet funded in the use or application of artificial intelligence in their research field. It is recommended that applicants consider mentors and collaborators who can assist awardees toward learning and integrating these new forms into their research programs. This is not a requirement but highly recommended to support the grant proposal.

Additional requirements

In addition, the following documents are required and must be uploaded to your proposal as a single PDF in the Additional Uploads section.

  • 1. Cover letter. Complete the cover letter template (PDF) link to and attach it to your proposal.
  • 2. Career development plan. In two pages or less, address the following:
  • Applicants should articulate how the award will facilitate their career development through the application of artificial intelligence, enabling them to take their research to the next level. This may include plans for expanding their research teams, pursuing collaborative opportunities, exploring new opportunities for extramural funding or exploring new research directions.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Applicants also need to describe how they have promoted diversity, equity and inclusion in the past, and how they would do so if they receive this award.
  • 3. Applicant biosketch. Use the National Institutes of Health's current biosketch template and instructions, keeping length to five pages or less. Biosketches for other faculty team members may be included but are not required.
  • 4. Endorsement letter from the department or division chair. The letter should comment on the support toward the established investigator's goals in AI research.
  • 5. Optional support letter. If a formal mentor or collaborator is proposed, a letter from the individual outlining a commitment to the project plan may be included.
  • 6. References. Include your references at the end of the application PDF document.

Budgets

A formal Mayo Integrated Research Information System (MIRIS) budget prepared by the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (OSPA) is not required at the time of application. If the project is selected for funding, the awardee will work with Sue J. Rubow to create a MIRIS funding proposal and budget. Allowable expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Effort for the principal investigator, study coordinators and research technologists.
  • Patient care costs and remuneration.
  • Statistical analysis.
  • Animal purchases and care expenses.
  • Research core laboratory fees.
  • Travel to conferences to present findings.