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Mentored Clinical Scientists Program in Drug Abuse & Addiction (NIDA K12)

Our Impact

Preparing outstanding junior faculty to become successful independent investigators in substance abuse research.

17 Alumni
94% Hold Academic Positions
63% Associate Professor or Professor
88% Have Extramural Funding

Program Overview

Since its inception in 2013, MUSC's NIDA K12 has provided an intensive program of mentored clinical research training and career development activities to promote early investigators' research independence in the substance use field.  Our scholars are junior faculty members who have recently completed clinical training or postdoctoral fellowships and have mentorship and a solid plan for training in clinical substance use research. 

As part of the program, scholars have access to:

  • Didactic instruction in responsible conduct of research, experimental design, biometry, statistical analysis, research methods, and basic research skills related to drug abuse and addiction, in order to provide a strong, comprehensive base of relevant knowledge, and skills.
  • Seminars and journal clubs in drug abuse and addiction research in order to promote information exchange and interdisciplinary interaction in the context of current findings and new implications.
  • Ongoing activities providing continuing review and consultation in critical areas such as biostatistical consultation, research ethics, human subject protection and privacy issues, and grantsmanship, in order to ensure continuous learning, sound judgment, and awareness of changing dynamics in scientific research.
  • Program faculty mentors who are prominent clinician-scientists, neuroscientists, and other biomedical scientists with expertise in substance use research.

Principal Investigators

Aimee McRae-Clark, Pharm.D., BCPP

Director, Office of Research Integrity Professor, Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Neurosciences
mail mcraeal@musc.edu View Faculty Profile open_in_new View Research Profile open_in_new MUSC SCORE arrow_forward

I have focused my career on developing a more clinically informed understanding of addiction as a disease state, and specifically investigating the role that medications and other therapeutic interventions may play in the treatment of addiction.

Professional Portrait

Kevin M. Gray, M.D.

Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Co-Director, MUSC Youth Collaborative
mail graykm@musc.edu View Faculty Profile open_in_new View Provider Profile open_in_new View Research Profile open_in_new

As Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Gray is dedicated to accelerating growth, collaboration, and impact across the tripartite missions of patient care, education, and research. Nationally, he serves in senior leadership roles with the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Within MUSC, his leadership has spanned division, department, college, and university roles. Complementing his work as an active clinician, educator, and mentor, Dr. Gray’s highly collaborative and productive program of clinical research—continuously supported by the National Institutes of Health throughout his career—is focused on understanding and addressing youth substance use and mental health. This work has yielded national and international acclaim, reinforcing MUSC’s strong standing on the world stage.

Dr. Gray grew up in South Carolina and obtained his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering at Clemson University and his medical degree at MUSC. He completed psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at MUSC. A proud product of South Carolina public schools, Dr. Gray is passionate about “paying forward” opportunities to develop careers, provide outstanding care, and advance health statewide and beyond.

Program Manager

  • Amanda Wagner, LPC

Key information

  • 2 years, optional 3rd year depending on satisfactory progress
  • 75 percent minimum effort (remaining 25 percent effort can be divided among other research, clinical and teaching activities if these activities are consistent with the proposed goals of the K12 program)
  • $100,000 maximum salary
  • $25,000 per year in non-salary research support
  • At the time support begins, scholars may not have served as the principal investigator (PI) or equivalent on an NIH research project or as PI of mentored career development grant. Candidates may not have served as the PI on an NIH research project grant or equivalent non-PHS peer-reviewed research grant over $100,000 direct costs per year. Scholars may not hold any other PHS award that duplicates the provisions of this career award. During the period of this award, scholars are encouraged to apply for, and may accept and hold, independent research grant support.

Eligibility

Junior faculty (Assistant Professor or below) and senior fellows/post-doctoral trainees pending faculty appointment with a doctorate and less than 5 years of research training who are committed to a career in clinical research in drug abuse and addiction. Scholars are scientists with doctoral-level professional degrees who represent a broad range of disciplines, professions, specialties and sub-specialties, and who can develop into future leaders of clinical research. Examples include M.D., Ph.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., and Pharm.D. All candidates with clinical doctorates are expected to have completed the specific requirements leading to clinical certification. By the time of award, the individual must be a US citizen, non-citizen national or permanent resident.

Applications are not currently being accepted.

For more information on the NIDA K12, please contact Amanda Wagner.

Additional Information

NIH Career Development Awards (K Kiosk page)