Network for Advancing Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy Research Readiness (NASCARR): Career Enhancement Post-Doctoral Fellowship


The NASCARR fellowship supports a 12-month, mentored research experience focused on SCAs at one or more NASCARR sites. Fellows will engage in hands-on research, attend the national RDCRN Annual Meeting and the NASCARR Annual Symposium, and have access to NASCARR and RDCRN Early Career resources. Prospective applicants should develop a research and training plan in partnership with a NASCARR Senior Faculty mentor that clearly aligns with the program’s overarching goal of cultivating independent SCA researchers. Fellows are expected to dedicate a minimum of 50% effort to fellowship-related research and career development. The program welcomes applicants from all disciplines relevant to SCA care, including translational research, medical and surgical specialties, dentistry, psychology, and therapeutic and allied health professions. Research can include all types of research, although proposals related to research that will advance clinical trial readiness will be prioritized.


KEY DATES 
Grant deadline: March 15th, 2026; midnight Pacific time 
Earliest start date: July 1st, 2026 


FELLOWSHIP GUIDELINES
  • NASCARR Fellowship awards provide up to $50,000 per year. It is the intention of NASCARR that grant monies be used to fund actual costs related to the research being performed including Fellow salary, fringe benefits, and project-related costs/supplies. Indirect costs are not permitted.  
  • Awards are for 12 months starting July 1, 2026.  The start date is flexible. A second year of funding may be awarded on a competitive basis and contingent upon satisfactory progress and available funds. 
  • Fellows are expected to attend the RDCRN Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. in February 2027. Travel and accommodations will be covered. 
  • Fellows must present work-in-progress at the annual NASCARR symposium September 28-29, 2026 in Aurora, CO. Travel and accommodations will be covered. 
  • For projects involving human subjects or animals, IRB or IACUC approval must be provided before a subcontract can be executed. 
  • Awardees must acknowledge NASCARR grant support (U54HD12158) in all manuscripts resulting from work conducted during the fellowship period. 

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
  • Must hold an MD, DDS, DO, PhD, PsyD, DPT or equivalent terminal degree. 
  • Must have completed their terminal degree or clinical training within the past five (5) years. 
  • Must be appointed at the level of a post-doctoral fellow, instructor, or Assistant Professor at an academic institution in the US that is currently engaged in the NASCARR consortium. 
  • Must have at least one mentor who is NASCARR Senior Faculty. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 
Applicants must submit all materials through the online portal on or before the deadline (March 15, 2026, midnight, PST):  
  • NIH Biosketch (trainee or investigator formats allowable) 
  • 3-page research plan (references not included in page limit) 
  • 1-page career development and training plan  
  • 1-page budget and budget justification indicating how funds will be spent 
  • 2 letters of support (including 1 from the NASCARR research mentor) 
  • An institutional letter confirming the applicant’s rank, guarantee of a minimum of 50% time dedicated to these aims, and any institution support including salary/benefits in excess of the awarded funds. This can be from a Department/Division Chair, or other institutional official.   
Applications will be reviewed by NASCARR Executive Council members, emerging mentors, and expert external reviewers.   
 

For questions, please contact Chijioke Ikomi (Chijioke.Ikomi@nemours.org) or NASCARR (NASCARR@ucdenver.edu)