About the Program

Clinical Neuroscientist Training Program (CNS-TP)

Physician scientists play a key role in current biomedical research due to their ability to integrate knowledge derived from clinical activities with experimental observations in the laboratory. In recognition of the importance of this role, we offer the Clinical Neuroscientist Training Program (CNS-TP), which integrates post-graduate research and clinical training through residency and fellowship. The CNS-TP adheres to the principles of the flexible neurology residency proposed by the American Neurological Association, and is designed to fully utilize the resources of the Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience and University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.

The University of Iowa Neurology Residency Program offers the CNS-TP pathway for selected trainees, with an individualized and flexible postgraduate training program that spans the four-year residency, and optional, guaranteed fellowship/postdoctoral training for up to two additional years. The program is designed for physicians interested in pursuing a career in academic neurology who have already demonstrated interest and proficiency in biomedical research. The competitive CNS-TP candidate will hold the MD degree (or equivalent), with or without a PhD, and show clear evidence of a strong desire to pursue an academic career in clinical neuroscience or clinically-relevant basic neuroscience – typically manifest as a strong record of scientific publication.

Candidates who enter the program will enjoy close mentorship from leading neuroscientists at the University of Iowa matched on the basis of their specific career interests, will undergo tailored training with significant flexibility to facilitate the integration of clinical rotations and research activities, and will benefit from supplemental stipend and academic allowances. The ultimate goal of the CNS-TP is to foster the career development of trainees by facilitating their transition to independence as physician-scientists, and to make them competitive for a K award, an RO1 or other funding mechanism. The scientific training will not be made at the expense of strong clinical training, and the rotation schedule will be such that their fellow residents will not have their schedules be adversely affected.

The infrastructure for basic, clinical and translational research at Iowa is broad and the commitment to biomedical and Neuroscience research strong. The CNS-TP resident will benefit from various programs and laboratories of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, including the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, the Iowa Medical Scientist Training Program, the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, the Physician Scientist Training Pathway, the Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, the Center for Gene Therapy, and the NIH-funded Pain Training Program, among many others. Trainees will also benefit from outstanding Core Research Facilities that provide state-of-the-art research resources to facilitate biomedical research, and the recently created Office of Postdoctoral Scholars that serves as the administrative home for postdoctoral scholars and fellows at the University of Iowa.

The Clinical Neuroscientist Training Program at a Glance

• An enhanced interview experience, including meetings with key Iowa scientific leadership
• 12 months of elective time to pursue research, during the 48 month residency, protected other than continuity of care clinic and call
• Substantial stipend supplementation (PG-2 through PG-4 years) and academic allowances, contingent upon demonstrated progress and achievement of specific benchmarks (see Table below)
• Personal career mentoring from onset of the program
• Networking with other University of Iowa professional development programs (Medical Scientist Training Program, Physician Scientist Training Pathway, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Office of Postdoctoral Scholars) through journal clubs, research days, and ad hoc gatherings
• Upon graduation, all qualifications for American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology eligibility will be met
• Guarantee of funding for two years of post-graduate research fellowship in selected field of interest

Applying to the CNS-TP

• Interest in the CNS-TP can be expressed upon application to the residency program by emailing the Program Director of the Neurology Residency. While less desirable, candidates can apply for admission as late as the beginning of the PGY2 year.
• Candidates must apply through ERAS and match through the NRMP match
• Selection will be made on a competitive basis by evaluation of prior accomplishments in a research program and clear evidence of interest in a career as a physician-scientist