Mock study section October 15 will prepare new investigators for NIH grant review process

On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, the Indiana CTSI will host a virtual multi-institutional mock study section where participants will gain first-hand experience of what it's like to go through an NIH grant review process. The Indiana CTSI is hosting the event in collaboration with the University of Central Florida (UCF).

In addition to UCF, several other institutions who were previously involved in the administration of the mock study section at ACTS will be involved in the event. These institutions include the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences (NC TraCS) Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute at the University of Minnesota; and the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation at Yale University.

The Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) has successfully hosted mock study sections for trainees and early career faculty at their annual conference for the past 10 years.

This opportunity is geared towards pre-doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty who are eligible to submit NIH or NIH equivalent grants. Previous grant submission is not a requirement.

Prior to the event, each participant will be assigned a K- or R-level NIH grant to review. During the activity, they will take the role of an NIH study section reviewer and discuss their assigned grant with peers and experienced faculty.

There is no cost to participate in the mock study section. More information is available on the application form. Applications will be accepted until all slots are filled and then names will be placed on a waitlist.

Questions? Please contact Susan Pusek at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Paige Gray at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..