The goal of the USF Health “K Club” is to increase the number of junior investigators at USF Health whocsuccessfully obtain National Institutes of Health (NIH) or equivalent Career Development Awards (i.e., individual K-series awards). The USF Health “K Club” provides structured, peer-driven support to junior investigators preparing NIH or equivalent Career Development Award applications. “K Club” is designed to be a collaborative environment that enhances grant competitiveness.

Membership

Membership is open to USF Health-affiliated faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and other trainees who arepreparing or planning to submit a Career Development Award.

Time and schedule of sessions

"K Club” sessions will be held monthly in person at a designated USF Health location(s). Members are encouraged to attend regularly and bring materials for feedback.

Format and session process

“K Club” meets in-person for closed, moderated sessions during which members present draft application sections (e.g., biosketches, career development plan, research plan). Peer-to-peer review, critique and feedback is emphasized and facilitated during sessions. Members present draft components with minimal introduction, allowing peers to review them quickly during meetings – mirroring how study section reviewers form first impressions without in-depth analysis. Following the review period, members provide verbal critiques, pose questions, and offer suggestions for improvement. A faculty moderator facilitates the discussion, encourages peer engagement, and may provide expert guidance or mini-tutorials on grant-writing best practices (e.g., ideal format/content for biosketches, development of research/career development plans). The moderator also tracks members’ progress toward submission and provides individualized support, as needed.

To encourage open dialogue and peer-to-peer critique and feedback, meetings are limited to members of the “K Club”. The closed meetings are intended to create a safe, non-hierarchical space for sharing feedback without mentors, senior faculty present, or others present.

Evaluation metrics

• Attendance and participation in “K Club” sessions
• Number of Career Development Award submissions/resubmissions
• Number of Career Development Awards received

Interested in “K Club”? Please email Dr. Roland C. Merchant: rcmerchant@usf.edu.