The Atlanta Pediatric Scholars K12 Program is now accepting Letters of Interest for the 2026 Cohort. 
 
 
The Atlanta Pediatric Scholars Program, (K12HD072245; PI, Shari Barkin, MD), is funded by The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and is administered and supported by Emory University Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This program is a mentored institutional career development program for senior fellows and junior faculty who have recently completed postgraduate clinical training in pediatrics and are committed to launching an independent basic science research career. This program provides a dedicated period of career development that includes didactic coursework, mentored research training and 75% protected research time towards the pursuit of independent extramural research funding. Application requirements and guidelines are the same as those for an NIH K08 application. 
 
Types of projects supported:
  • Laboratory-based projects to understand the basic mechanisms of diseases affecting children
  • Basic investigation into novel therapies or diagnostics at the bench or in animal models
  • Laboratory-based investigation into genetic and epigenetic origins of childhood diseases

 
Required LOI Components: All LOIs must include your name the information outlined below. You will also be required to upload your biosketch and your primary mentor's biosketch. LOIs should be a maximum of 3 pages.
  • Your name, your primary mentor's name, and your project title
  • Research specific aims (1 page max)
  • Explanation of professional goals related to K12 and how participation in the program will contribute to these goals (1 page max)
  • Description of primary mentor and mentoring team including their research expertise and planned contributions to the candidate's success (1 page max)
     
Eligibility:
At the time of award, Atlanta Pediatric Scholars must:
  • Devote a minimum effort of 9 person-months (75% effort) to research during the appointment of the K12 award.
  • Be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
  • Be a pediatrician holding an MD or DO degree.
  • Have completed postgraduate residency training in pediatrics; completion of subspecialty training is not required as scholars may be considered for appointment to the K12 program in the final research year of subspecialty fellowship training, provided the fellowship provides basic science training within the scope of this K12 program.
  • Be no more than 4 years after attaining board eligibility in their subspecialty.
  • Identify an approved mentor or mentors with extensive research experience and extramural funding to help support the scholar’s research.
  • Hold “New Investigator” status and not be or have been a PI on an R01, R29, U01/U10, subproject of a Program Project (P01), Center (P50, P60, U54) grant, or individual mentored or non-mentored career development award (e.g., K01, K02, K08, K22, K23, K24, K25, K99). Individuals who are or were PIs on NIH Small Grants (i.e., R03s) or Exploratory/Developmental Grants (i.e., R21s) may be eligible providing they meet the other eligibility requirements. Individuals who received Pediatric Scientist Development Program (PSDP) K12 funds are eligible for this program, subject to the 6-year limitation on mentored K support described below.
  • Combined support through the K12 and other NICHD mentored career development award programs must not exceed six years.
  • During the period of this award, Scholars may not accept or hold any other PHS award that duplicates the provisions of this career award. However, Scholars may compete for individual mentored career development awards (e.g., K01, K08, K23, K25, K99) provided they meet the eligibility requirements of those programs. Scholars may not hold concurrent K awards.
  • Have written approval and support from their division chief for release from clinical time thus demonstrating capacity to spend 75% effort on the activities of this award
 
Expectations of Awarded Scholars:
  • Publish research related to your K12 project prior to the end of your K12 appointment 
  • Submit an application for an extramural grant prior to the end of your K12 appointment 
  • Obtain an academic faculty position within 5 years of completing the K12 program 
  • Obtain an extramural research grant within 5 years of completing the K12 program 
  • Obtain NIH funding within 5 years of completing the K12 program 

 
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