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Clinical and Translational Research Academy

Supporting early-stage clinical and translational (C/T) research investigators

Mock Study Section Review

What Is It?

This is an opportunity to receive feedback on an NIH K grant application in advance of institutional submission deadlines. The study section is made up of senior faculty who have experience in early-career development. Within 24 hours of the study section meeting, you’ll receive a video recording of the reviewer discussion about your application.

Who Should Submit a Survey of Intent?

We will choose investigators who are preparing an NIH K Grant application for the February 12, 2027 deadline. Investigators working on the resubmission of a Revised Application are not eligible for this service.

Note: Space is limited for this session. We will ask mentors of applicants to join the study section as a volunteer reviewer for one application. If we have more applications than available spots, we will consider the mentor’s willingness to act as a reviewer.

Mock K Study Section Timeline for the February 12, 2027 NIH submission deadline:

  1. Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Survey of Intent opens. Do not start the survey until you are ready to upload your Specific Aims page.
  2. Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Survey of Intent closes at 5:00pm EST.
  3. Friday, November 13, 2026, Applicants will be notified of selection decisions by email. Selected applicants will receive more detailed information about the process and materials submission.
  4. Monday, January 4, 2027, Selected applicants upload final K application materials for review. Materials will include:
    • Specific Aims – single page
    • Research Strategy
    • Career Development section
    • NIH Biosketches of Key Personnel
  5. Mock Study Section Meeting: mid-January 2027
  6. The day after the study section meeting, applicants receive a 15-20 minute video with the entire Mock Study Section discussion of their application.

Survey of Intent

Survey of Intent will close on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 5:00pm EST.

Resources

K Grant Writer’s Corner: Guidance on the key component of the K Grant process.

Conquering the K webpage: Watch videos from HMS faculty discussing strategies for effectively constructing your specific aims, research strategy, and career development plan (Harvard Key login required).

K Grant Library: Read grant examples from successful K Grant awardees (Harvard Key login required).

Biostatistics Consultations: Guidance and advice at all stages of the research process, from study design and statistical analysis plans, to the interpretation and dissemination of study results from Harvard-affiliated biostatisticians. Free for Harvard affiliates.

Questions

Contact Cheryl Vaughan (cheryl_vaughan@hms.harvard.edu).