Training in Research in Integrative Medicine (TRIM) Program

Pre- and Postdoctoral Fellowships

The UCSF Osher Center’s Training in Research in Integrative Medicine (TRIM) program is a research fellowship funded by a T32 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

The objective of the TRIM program is to train outstanding pre- and postdoctoral behavioral and social scientists, physicians, and other qualified health professionals to design and conduct rigorous clinical research so that they can become innovative, independent investigators and scholars in integrative medicine research. Since its inception in 2007, the TRIM program has been highly successful in producing accomplished research scientists, 53% of the postdoctoral fellows associated with our program have received prestigious NIH mentored training grants (K awards).

The UCSF Osher Center is committed to reflecting this diversity in our faculty, students and other academic personnel. We encourage applications from diverse scholars, especially those who have been systematically and historically underrepresented. Learn more about our vision, mission, and values here.

The TRIM program leverages the extensive research training infrastructure and diverse, collaborative biomedical research enterprise at UCSF. Fellows join an interdisciplinary integrative medicine center with strong programs in research, clinical practice, and education. Faculty mentors provide support and rigorous training in clinical research methodologies, including clinical trial design and advanced biostatistics.

Program Activities

Research: Fellows spend the majority of their time conducting research. More details below.

Coursework: All TRIM fellows take Designing Clinical Research and Responsible Conduct of Research

TRIM Seminars: Every month fellows gather for educational seminars presented by faculty on a variety of topics.

Works-in-Progress (WIP): Every month fellows gather with faculty to present research and provide feedback on each other’s research.

Journal Club: Fellows and invited guests meet four times during the year to discuss a paper in depth.

Writing Retreat: Fellows participate in a three-day offsite writing retreat each fall and spring. The program covers the cost of room and board.

Research Seminars: This bimonthly series features experts in integrative medicine research and is open to the entire Osher Center and UCSF community.

Faculty Mentors and Research Community

Trainees will work directly with a faculty of renowned researchers, all of whom are independent investigators with a track record of mentoring. Trainees will be matched with a faculty researcher who will serve as their primary mentor and receive direct guidance from numerous other expert investigators.

Osher Center faculty serve as core mentors. Additional UCSF faculty engaged in either integrative medicine or other relevant clinical research serve as affiliated mentors. Faculty members represent diverse disciplines, including anthropology, biology, biostatistics, education, health services research, medical ethics, medicine, neuroscience, psychology, psychoneuroendocrinology, and women’s health. Osher Center clinicians are also available to provide technical assistance and consultation on specific integrative medicine approaches that trainees may be interested in studying.

Monthly TRIM Seminars include trainees from across the Osher Collaborative for Integrative Medicine. Trainees will connect with peers from across UCSF through shared coursework, including Designing Clinical Research and Responsible Conduct of Research.

Details, Eligibility, and Application Process

We are now accepting applications for pre- and postdoctoral fellowships for Summer 2020 start dates. We will be opening a second call for 2021 positions in Fall 2020. Contact Ms. Yvette Coulter, Education Program Manager, with any questions about the program. If you are interested in receiving the application, please complete this brief inquiry form.

Predoctoral Research Fellowship

The TRIM predoctoral fellowship supports an intensive year of research activity and training for medical students taking a research year and PhD students in the biological or social sciences. Each predoctoral fellow works closely with a research mentor and typically develops work that relates to their mentor’s existing research project(s). Trainees develop their own projects, such as a secondary analysis or a sub-study, with the goal of publishing work as first author or presenting at a national conference by the completion of the fellowship period. We encourage potential applicants to contact research faculty with whom they are interested in working, in order to develop a research project for the fellowship period.

Fellows receive a stipend of $25,320, health coverage, and tuition for related coursework. Most predoctoral fellows devote one full year to the fellowship, although an extension may be granted in selected cases.

Eligibility

Due to COVID-19, the call with applications due in June 2020 is open to UCSF learners only. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a UCSF health professions or research sciences doctoral program.
- While the UCSF Visiting Student Program has been canceled for the foreseeable future, we look forward to accepting applications from other learners when cleared to do so.
Applicants must be a United States citizen, a non-citizen national, or a foreign national possessing a visa permitting permanent US residence.
Applicants must be able to devote the majority of their time to fellowship-related work.
Applicants from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences are strongly encouraged to apply. For details regarding NIH diversity eligibility, see Notice on NIH’s Interest in Diversity.

Application Process

To inquire about eligibility and to receive application materials, complete this brief inquiry form. Application to the program is a three-step process. During our open call, applicants submit a brief application form, a one-page personal statement, and a CV. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full application that includes a project abstract and letters of reference. The final step is an interview with program leadership.

Application Timeline 

Application form, personal statement, and CV due by 5 pm PT on June 19, 2020 
Invitations to submit additional materials will be sent no later than June 26, 2020
Abstracts and letters of reference due by July 10, 2020
Interviews will be held between June 29 - July 10, 2020 
Offers will be made by July 20, 2020  (tentative)
Program will start in Summer/Fall 2020 depending on fellow availability

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

The TRIM postdoctoral program is a two- or three-year fellowship that prepares participants for an academic, research-oriented career. Postdoctoral fellows’ time is primarily devoted to conducting research, typically for a project that they have initiated themselves.

The fellowship provides an annual stipend, health coverage, plus funds for tuition for related course work. For general information about being a postdoctoral fellow at UCSF, please visit the UCSF Office for Postdoctoral Scholars website.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a doctoral degree (e.g., MD, DO, PhD, DOM/DAOM/DACM, DC, ND, DrPH, PharmD).
Applicants must be a United States citizen, a non-citizen national, or a foreign national possessing a visa permitting permanent US residence.
Applicants must be able to devote the majority of their time to fellowship-related work.
Applicants from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences are strongly encouraged to apply. For details regarding NIH diversity eligibility, see Notice on NIH’s Interest in Diversity.
Optional: Have prior experience performing research and an initial record of peer-reviewed publications.

Application Process

To inquire about eligibility and to receive application materials, complete this brief inquiry form. Application to the program is a two-step process. During our open call, applicants upload an application packet that includes a form, CV (in our T32 application format specified), professional statement/proposal, and a writing sample. Additionally, three letters of support must be received by the application deadline. Selected applicants will be invited to interviews with select faculty.

Application Timeline 