Fellowship FAQ

1. What if I already have protected research time?

You can still apply. The fellowship requires 50% FTE dedicated to CIIS activities. If you already have protected research time, your department’s letter should clearly outline how fellowship activities will fit within that time allocation.

2. Who is eligible to apply for the CIIS fellowship?

The fellowship is open to early career clinician and non-clinician scientists who are BU faculty (Instructor or Assistant Professor) or post-doctoral fellows who have a formal commitment from their department/division through a faculty appointment or a documented plan to join BU/BMC as junior faculty following the fellowship. Both Department of Medicine and non-DoM applicants are welcome.

CIIS understands personal and professional matters can impact career trajectories. Individuals who are interested in the fellowship but are past the instructor or assistant professor level should reach out to CIIS to discuss application submission.

3. What is the time commitment required for the fellowship?

Fellows must commit 50% FTE to CIIS activities. Non-fellowship time (research activities not related to CIIS, clinical, administrative, teaching, etc.) cannot exceed 50% FTE during the fellowship.

4. How does funding work for fellows who are not supported by DOM?

The 50% FTE support for this position will be funded fully by the applicant’s department or section.

Example: A candidate from the Department of Pediatrics is interested in the fellowship. If they are selected as a fellow, the Department of Pediatrics will provide 50% FTE salary support for the 2-year fellowship.

5. What types of research and education expenses does the $5,000 funding cover?

Funds may be used for participant reimbursement, partial salary support for research assistants, transcription, educational workshops, and conferences.

6. What kind of mentorship and career development support can fellows expect?

Fellows receive ongoing mentorship from CIIS faculty, participate in weekly team meetings, methods sessions, and fellow check-ins.

7. What kind of project do CIIS fellows lead or participate in?

Fellows lead their own implementation science project that they propose in their application. Additionally, fellows participate in projects that might be outside of their content area but align with methodological training goals.

8. Can current Career Development Award (or similar funding) recipients apply?

Yes. Applicants with active K awards or similar funding are eligible to apply.

9. What happens after I complete the fellowship?

Upon completion of the fellowship, graduates return to their department equipped with new skills and become leaders in implementation and improvement sciences. Graduates can continue to engage with CIIS as Core or Affiliate Faculty. The roles provide options for different levels of time commitment and ongoing involvement with the center’s activities and projects.

If you have questions that aren’t addressed on this page please contact the CIIS Assistant Director, Kayla Jones (kjones4@bu.edu).