Training Interdisciplinary Pharmacology Scientists (TIPS)

IMPORTANT: Please review Trainee Eligibility Criteria above prior to completing an application.

• Application deadline: early September, 2025.
  
• Applicant interviews: early October, 2025, in-person
• Fellowship start date: November 1, 2025
  

TIPS APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

All application materials, including recommendations and transcripts, must be received on or before the deadline.
Applicants, be sure to inform your mentors and other recommenders that their recommendations are also due by the deadline above.

Components of the application:

From others:

1. Mentor recommendation letters from primary and secondary mentors, emailed directly to Melissa Glueck glueck@rice.edu.  These letters should evaluate the applicant in terms of his/her suitability for a research career in the pharmacological sciences and should specifically address the following areas:

• Scientific background and prior training
• Research experience and skills
• Quantitative skills, aptitude and training
• Work ethic
• Communication skills
• Ability to work with others
• Mentor’s approval of applicant’s mentoring plan.

2. Two Letters of Recommendation from people other than your mentors, emailed directly to Melissa Glueck glueck@rice.edu.

From the trainee:

1. TIPS Application Form

2. Project Information document (in Word format) that includes the following sections; follow the instructions found on page 2 of the TIPS Application Form:

• Project Description (max 750 words)
• Layperson’s Project Description (max 250 words)
• Mentoring Plan (max 500 words)
• Grant Support received for your stipend.

3. Resume, CV, or NIH Fellowship Biosketch (Download this form; do not ask for access to it.) that outlines your: professional work, research experience and history, and publications and abstracts.

4. Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate degrees received, as well as from your current graduate program (Unofficial accepted).

5. Proof of eligibility: a scan of passport or birth certificate; or permanent residency card.

Send all of these in one email to Melissa Glueck glueck@rice.edu.

SELECTION PROCESS
Selected applicants will be invited to interview with the TIPS Steering Committee. The interview will:

• Be attended by applicant and both the primary and secondary mentors.
• Consist of a 10-minute research talk by the applicant with slides of his/her research experience, goals, and proposed collaborative research project. Then Q&A.

This interview is critical to robustly and holistically assess the applicant’s suitability for the Program, and potential for success during and after the Program, including the ability to communicate his/her science. The Steering Committee will make final selections based on merit. All applicants will be notified via email.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION (FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025)

• Appointments will begin November 1, 2024
• Appointments will be for 1 year, with potential for a 2nd year. The 2nd year appointment is dependent upon 1) successful completion of program requirements in year 1, and 2) continued funding from the NIH.
• Trainees and both mentors will participate in an annual progress review with the TIPS Steering Committee near the end of the 1st appointment year. If trainee progress is acceptable, the trainee could receive a 2nd year of support. Trainees and mentors also participate in an interview at the end of the fellowship period.
• NIH FY24 Stipend level: $28,224
• Travel: $300 (Required: poster or oral presentation at selected conference)
• Other funds: Some funds will be provided to help defray costs of trainee tuition, fees, and health insurance.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

See the section TIPS Program Requirements and Curriculum.

Per NIH requirement, TIPS trainees must acknowledge NIH/NIGMS’ full or partial support of your research in all publications, such as abstracts, journal articles, oral or poster presentations, news releases, and other communications. Trainees are to refer to their TIPS appointment letters for specific verbiage.

The Gulf Coast Consortia is committed to providing equal opportunity in training for individuals with disabilities and individuals from racial and ethnic groups who are currently under-represented in STEM fields. We welcome applications from all qualified trainees, regardless of ethnic/racial status or disability status. All GCC member institutions are ADAAA compliant and have offices of disability support services that provide accommodations and support services to trainees, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The large Houston biomedical sciences community has long succeeded in building research and training experience, expertise and collaborative strengths in the field of Pharmacological Sciences. In fact, we have had two previous, inter-institutional NIH-funded training programs in the Pharmacological Sciences from 2004-2015. This, our TIPS training program, followed in 2016, which was re-funded as a new application in 2021.

Combined, to date these four NIH training programs have supported 57 predoctoral students and 19 postdoctoral fellows. We continue to track their career status:

• 23 (30.3%) are affiliated with academia as faculty, research scientists, or Deans;
• 24 (31.6%) are working as scientists or project leaders in industry;
• 5 (6.6%) are in the next phase of their careers, mainly as postdoctoral fellows in renowned laboratories;
• 2 (2.6%) are working in science-related careers in government;
• 2 (2.6%) are working at non-profits;
• 5 (6.5%) are working in clinical or clinical training positions;
• 9 (11.8%) are completing graduate school in a timely manner;
• 6 (7.9%) are in positions unknown at this time.

This information is current as of 5/7/2024.