Supporting Long-Term Career Success for Cardiovascular Sciences Researchers
UC San Diego Future Faculty of Cardiovascular Sciences (FOCUS) program is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and is a member of the NIH Programs for Inclusion and Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE) initiative, committed to research education and mentoring of early-career faculty in the fields of heart, lung, blood and sleep conditions.
The goal of the FOCUS program is to support long-term career success of junior faculty in cardiovascular sciences through grant writing courses, research and career mentoring from world-renowned faculty at UC San Diego, professional development workshops, and more.
The program also offers an opportunity to compete for a FOCUS-funded small research project to help gather pilot data and to accelerate the course towards successful production and submission of an NIH or equivalent grant.
Participation in the FOCUS program requires a one-year commitment in program participation with the following timeline (with all travel expenses paid):
- Active participation in the Grant Writing Course: The course will start remotely prior to the in-person Summer Institute I with weekly assignments due in June 2025
- Attendance at the in-person Summer Institute I held July 13 - July 18, 2025 in La Jolla, CA
- Attendance at the in-person in La Jolla or remote Mid-year Meeting in January 2026
- Attendance at the PRIDE Annual Meeting in Bethesda, MD in spring 2026
- Attendance at the in-person Summer Institute II in July 2026 in La Jolla, CA
Review "Why Apply," "Expectations," "Eligibility," and "Research Tracks & Mentors" pages for additional information.
The FOCUS program applications are not currently available. If you have any questions, reach us at hsfacaffairs@ucsd.edu.
FOCUS is supported by NIH/NHLBI R25 HL145817 and UC San Diego Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences.
Non-discrimination Statement
In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.
More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.
More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.
2025-2026 FOCUS Program
The FOCUS program applications are not currently available. If you have any questions, reach us at hsfacaffairs@ucsd.edu.
Interested in the FOCUS program?
Submit an interest form for the FOCUS program, and we will contact you directly once the recruitment is open.