Vision Research Training Program (T32)

Call for Vision Research Training Grant Applications

Application deadline: Friday, April 18, 2024 (5 p.m. MST)

On July 1, 2025, we are starting another cycle of traineeships on the Vision Research Training Grant and would like to invite applications from graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. All interested students are urged to apply. The T32 award supports training in vision research by covering stipends, insurance, conference travel and supplies and by promoting collaborative interactions across vision research groups at the University of Utah. 

Applications should be addressed to:
Julee LaMothe (julee.lamothe@hsc.utah.edu)
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Applications should include the following items:
(Please note, documents  #1-3 should be in Arial 11pt font with ½” margins. Items 1-5 should each start on a new page.)

1.    Cover Page:

• Which award you are applying for (Predoctoral or Postdoctoral Traineeship)
• Title of your project
• Your name and degrees
• Your position title
• Your U of U ID #
• Your work email address
• Your work phone number
• Your personal email address
• Your personal phone number
• Your Mentor’s name
• Date you last had a position on the training grant, if it was a Predoc or Postdoc position, and what lab you were in. (only applicable if you have had a position on the Ophthalmology training grant previously.)
• List of people sending in supporting letters for your file.

2.    Your CV
3.    A short carefully thought-out summary of your thesis research project including:

• Specific Aims (1 page max)
• Research Plan.  Summarize the problem (include some strategic literature references), what you have accomplished so far, and your research goals as a graduate student. (2-3 pages max., including figures and tables)
• Training Potential (1 page max)

-Explain how the proposed research project provides you with the requisite individualized and mentored experiences in order to obtain outstanding skills for a research career.
-Explain how the training plan takes advantage of your strengths and addresses gaps in needed skills?  Does the training document show a clear need for, and value of, the proposed training?
-Does the proposed training have the potential to serve as a sound foundation that will enhance your ability to develop into a productive researcher?

• Progress on your project since you last had a position on the Ophthalmology Vision Research Training Grant.  If you are proposing a different project, please specify that here instead.  (Only applicable to people that have already been on the
• Ophthalmology training grant previously.) (1 page max)

References (1-3 pages max)
4.    Copies of your academic transcripts, both undergraduate and graduate (Predoctoral and Postdoctoral applications)
5.    Copy of the report of your GRE scores (for Predoctoral applications only)
6.    Supporting letters from your mentor/sponsor.  Letter should include details of the training plan for this person.  (Letters should be on letterhead, signed and in pdf format.  Letter should be sent directly to Julee LaMothe via email.)
7.    Supporting letters from two other professors who are familiar with your research.  (Letters should be on letterhead, signed and in pdf format.  Letters should be sent directly to Julee LaMothe via email.)
8.    If Postdoc is in 3rd year or later of their career, include a letter from the mentor/sponsor justifying why they should be considered for funding at this point.  (ie: significant new direction in training, accompanied with explanation as to why this is so.)

All items should be submitted to Julee LaMothe (julee.lamothe@hsc.utah.edu).
Applicants should submit items 1-5 above as one single pdf file in the order they are listed.
Supporting letters should be sent directly to Julee via email (she will add them to your file).

Training grant policies you should be aware of are:
    (a)    Applications should be Vision Research focused.
    (b)    Trainees must be in the lab of a PI that is on the Ophthalmology Training Grant.
    (c)    All applicants must work for a PI that has a current NIH R01 grant or has one approved before July 1 of the current year.
    (d)    It is suggested that Predoctoral & Postdoctoral trainees have a position with their current PI’s lab at the University of Utah or BYU for at least 1 year prior to applying.
    (e)    NIH requires that trainees be U.S. citizens, or be a U.S. non-citizen national or a permanent resident of the U.S. Trainees must have this completed by the time of application review.
    (f)    The primary criteria for selection will be:
        1) scientific excellence and 2) relevance of the proposed research to Vision.
    (g)    Predoctoral and Postdoctoral support is normally provided for a maximum of one year.  Each person can be on the training grant up to 2 times (this does not have to be consecutive), however preference will be given to new applicants.
    (h)    Predoctoral trainees will be accepted from pre-qualified students, however, preference will be given to those who have passed their qualifying exam.
    (i)    Predoctoral trainees must take the Visual Neuroscience course (NEUSC 6100, a 3.0 credit course) if offered in the year of support.
    (j)    All trainees must take a Scientific Integrity and Ethics of Science Research course (Case Studies and Research Ethics, PHIL 7570, a 1.0 credit course) or Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in one of the departments at the University of Utah or BYU and/or a CITI course.
    (k)    Trainees must participate in the Vision Interest Group (VIG) Series.
    (l)    The successful postdoc applicant will be asked to form a mentoring committee of at least 3 faculty members, with at least one including a T32 Advisor Committee member. The T32 Directors or a designated Advisory Council members will attend the predoc Committee meeting if given during the Spring of the award year.

If you have applied before and are interested in applying again, please contact David Krizaj (david.krizaj@hsc.utah.edu).  Please note, each person can only have one of these grant positions twice. It is advised that you request new supporting letters.

Cover page example

Application for Predoctoral or Postdoctoral Position on Training Grant

Project Title:      

Name & degrees:      
Title:      
Unid #:      

Work Email Address:      
Work Phone Number:      

Personal Email Address:      
Personal Phone Number:      

Are you a US citizen or are you a U.S. non-citizen national or 
a permanent resident of the U.S. at this time:      

Mentor’s Name:      

If you were previously on the Ophthalmology Training Grant: 
Date you were on it:      
Type of position: Predoctoral or Postdoctoral
Mentor’s Name:      

List of people sending letters of recommendation for your file:
Mentor:      
Letter 1:      
Letter 2: