Training Grants - Immunology

            This Immunology Training Program (ITP), now in its 28th continuous year of funding, is conducted in a diverse environment where the basic biological sciences and the medical school and clinical programs are integrated within the same Division in a single campus at the University of Chicago.  The program is embodied by the Committee on Immunology (COI), which draws strength from its interdepartmental roots, allowing trainees to take courses and gain expertise in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Medicine and Pathology.  The rigorous training includes a comprehensive specialized immunology core curriculum, a weekly journal club and a Work-in-Progress series, an annual retreat with an outside ‘guru’ and an Immunology seminar series drawing ~30 world-renowned immunologists each year.  Participation in major national and international Immunology conferences in addition to workshops held in Chicago every year, complete this intense formation.

         The past funding period has been exceptionally successful in terms of recruitment, training, scientific productivity and overall visibility.  Faculty of considerable international renown have joined the program while some of those who have grown with it have taken eminent leadership positions at other major research institutions.  There is strong institutional support for this remarkably successful and dynamic program, with major allocation of new space and equipment to promote further expansion.  With a large number of outstanding applicants accompanying the growth of world-renowned faculty, this program continues to rank among the best programs in the country.

            The IMTG supports seven predoctoral trainees and three postdoctoral trainees.  Trainees are normally sponsored by an IMTG faculty trainer or other University of Chicago faculty member in the Biological Sciences Division.  These fellowships are open only to US Citizens or Permanent Residents.  All postdoctoral applicants must prepare a packet for review by the Steering Committee consisting of the following documentation.

1.  A cover letter from the UC faculty sponsor, nominating the applicant for support by the Immunology Training Grant, the date the applicant can start in the lab (or if the applicant is already there), the amount of previous postdoctoral experience the candidate has and a brief description of the project the postdoc will pursue in the lab.  Please note that the sponsor's cover letter does not count as a letter of recommendation.

 2.  An application package submitted to the faculty sponsor by the applicant (also required from candidates already in the lab).  Please note that it is expected that the applicant, and not the sponsor, will write the proposal, and that applicants are urged to use this proposal package as the basis for additional (external) funding applications:

a.      a cover letter asking to join the lab, or if already in the lab, asking for sponsorship for the award;

b.      a project description consisting of specific aims and a brief description of the proposed research (two pages); this                      description can be replaced by a fellowship application to external funding agencies

c.      a statement of career goals (0.5-1 page);

d.      a description of Ph.D. thesis (0.5-1 page consisting of dissertation title and abstract);

e.      the candidate's curriculum vitae;

f.      three letters of recommendation (in addition to your letter).

 3.   Copies of papers published, in press or submitted by the applicant.

4.   The faculty sponsor hand-deliver the original and five (5) copies of the application packet to the Biomedical Sciences Cluster Office, AMB N704.

        The postdoctoral candidate should be aware that he/she will be asked to sign a pay-back agreement with the government (NIH), for the first year of support only, and that this constitutes a legal document.  The postdoctoral candidate should be aware that the training grant supports health fees for the candidate only.  Family coverage must be arranged through other sources.

            For more information regarding this training program you may contact Tracie DeMack by phone, 773-834-3899, or email.