Applicants
Join our program and advance your career as an independent researcher in women's healthImportant Dates
Letter of Intent Deadline: December 1, 2025 | Full Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
BIRCWH Application Instructions (PDF)
Am I Eligible?
Review the requirements below to determine if you qualify for the BIRCWH program. All criteria must be met to be considered.
Doctoral Degree
Clinical doctorate (MD, DO) or PhD degree or equivalent in a health-related field
Citizenship or Residency Status
Must be one of the following: United States citizen, United States permanent resident, or United States noncitizen national. Not eligible if on a visa.
Completed Training
Finished all expected post-graduate training, including residency, fellowship, and post-doctoral work.
Early Career Stage
Less than eight years of research experience beyond a doctoral degree (excluding time on clinical training).
Mentorship Identified
Preliminary mentors identified who meets program requirements for expertise and availability.
No Prior Major Funding
No prior principal investigator status on major grants (R01, P50, K-Series Awards).
UAB Faculty Appointment
Primary faculty appointment at University of Alabama at Birmingham or commitment to obtain one.
Women's Health Focus
Proposed research directly addresses women’s health across the lifespan.
Time Commitment
Ability to dedicate 75% time to research (50% for surgical specialties) for duration of award.
Application Process & Timeline
Step 1
Due: December 1, 2025
Letter of Intent (2 pages)
Submit a brief proposal including: project title, proposed mentors, preliminary career development plan, and alignment with women’s health mission.
Step 2
Early December
Initial Review
Program leadership reviews Letters of Intent and invites selected candidates to submit full applications.
Step 3
Due: January 15, 2026
Full Application (12 pages)
Submit complete application including: detailed career development plan, research proposal, mentor statements, and department support letter.
Step 4
February
Finalist Interviews
Selected candidates present research plans and meet with program leadership and advisory committee.
Step 5
March
Award Notification
Final selections announced with anticipated start date of March 1, 2026.
Step 1
Due: December 1, 2025
Letter of Intent (2 pages)
Submit a brief proposal including: project title, proposed mentors, preliminary career development plan, and alignment with women’s health mission.
Step 2
Early December
Initial Review
Program leadership reviews Letters of Intent and invites selected candidates to submit full applications.
Step 3
Due: January 15, 2026
Full Application (12 pages)
Submit complete application including: detailed career development plan, research proposal, mentor statements, and department support letter.
Step 4
February
Finalist Interviews
Selected candidates present research plans and meet with program leadership and advisory committee.
Step 5
March
Award Notification
Final selections announced with anticipated start date of March 1, 2026.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated equally across four key criteria:
1
Research Potential
Candidate’s potential to become an independent investigator in women’s health research, including past achievements and future trajectory.
2
Career Development
Quality and appropriateness of the career development plan to achieve candidate’s goals as a women’s health researcher.
3
Scientific Merit
Scientific merit, innovation, and relevance of the proposed research to women’s health across the lifespan.
4
Research Potential
Quality of the mentoring relationship, mentor qualifications, and interdisciplinary nature of the mentoring team.
Note: All four criteria are weighted equally in the selection process. Strong performance across all areas is essential for a competitive application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does the program provide?
The program provides up to $100,000 annually per scholar for up to 3 years, in addition to research costs and professional development activities.
Can I apply if I'm currently in fellowship training?
Yes, you can apply during your final year of fellowship. However, you must have completed all training requirements before the anticipated start date.
What counts as "women's health research"?
Women’s health research includes basic, clinical, and population research addressing conditions affecting women throughout their lifespan, sex-based biological differences, and health disparities affecting women.
Do I need to have my mentors confirmed before applying?
For the Letter of Intent, you should identify preliminary mentors. For the full application (if invited), you need confirmed commitment from your mentoring team.
Can I pursue an advanced degree during the program?
Yes! Scholars are encouraged to pursue relevant Master’s degrees (MSPH, MSHQS, MSGH) or certificate programs in areas such as epidemiology, outcomes research, or healthcare quality and safety.
