Broad Stem Cell Research Center Training Program
Between 15 and 20 young UCLA scientists—graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and clinical fellows—committed to advancing stem cell research are selected annually to conduct research in the labs of prominent faculty members.
The UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center’s Training Program was established in 2006 and funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine until 2015, when funding for the program was paused by CIRM. Recognizing the importance of this critical education opportunity for the future leaders of the regenerative medicine field, the center raised philanthropic funding from generous individual donors, organizations and foundations, including The Rose Hills Foundation and The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, which enabled the expansion of the program. With the passage of Proposition 14 in fall 2020, CIRM was able to once again make funding these programs one of its top initiatives and awarded the training program a five-year grant in 2021. With continuing support from philanthropy, the program now offers more spots for young scientists than in years past.
Eligibility
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All UCLA graduate students, post-doctoral scholars and clinical fellows whose research focus intersects with stem cell science may apply.
Activities
- 1-on-1 mentoring
- Classroom training in stem cell biology (course M272), science communications, ethics, intellectual property and regulatory science
- Elective courses on manufacturing and process development, modern methods, techniques and approaches
- Participation in the center’s Annual Stem Cell Symposium
- Participation in a curated seminar series
- Mentoring training
- Quarterly social events to learn about alternative career options
Program benefits
- Annual stipend/salary
- Tuition/fee remission (pre-doctoral trainees)
- Research supply funds
- Conference travel funds
Trainee career paths
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Graduate students:
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54% senior-level scientists in industry
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23% faculty positions at top universities
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23% post-doctoral scholars at top universities
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Post-doctoral scholars:
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54% faculty at top universities
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35% senior-level scientists in industry
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7% additional post-doctoral training
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Clinical fellows:
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63% faculty positions at top universities
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27% in clinical practice
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10% senior-level scientists in industry
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Application process
A call for Letters of Intent (LOI) is circulated via email in mid-February of each year. Applicants whose LOIs are reviewed successfully are invited to submit a full application. Funding decisions are announced in mid-June. Current trainees must reapply for renewal. Both LOI and full application submissions are processed electronically.
Criteria for review of applications include prior demonstrated interest in stem cell biology, the record of, or potential for, creative research accomplishments by the applicant and the relevance of the proposed project to stem cell biology.
For more information about the training program and/or to add your email address to the listserv, please email bscrc@mednet.ucla.edu and include “BSCRC Training Program” in the subject line.