RAPID | Infectious Diseases
- Why Apply
- Expectations
- Eligibility
- Research Tracks & Mentors
- Program Personnel
Program Expectations
Junior faculty will participate in a year-long program that includes free (all travel expenses paid) intensive two summer institutes at UC San Diego in La Jolla, CA and the mid-year two-day meeting in-person in La Jolla or online.
Participation in the RAPID Program requires a one-year commitment in program participation with the following tentative timeline:
- Active participation in the Grant Writing Course: The course will tentatively start remotely in June 2026, prior to the Summer Institute I, with weekly assignments due in June-July 2026
- Attendance at the Summer Institute I held on July 26-31, 2026 (in-person in La Jolla, CA or online --modality TBD)
- Attendance at the Mid-year Meeting in January 2027 (online)
- Attendance at the Summer Institute II in July 2027 (in-person in La Jolla, CA or online --modality TBD)
*Please note that program structure, modality, and timeline are subject to change. The program will be held either in-person or online; no hybrid option will be provided. All travel expenses will be paid by the program.
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The Summer Institutes are designed to be intensive and immersive. You are expected to complete homework and attend evening and weekend activities during the Institutes.
| Event | Time Required (tentative month) | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Sessions and Individual Work | See details in the Activities column (June-July 2026) | Attend the program orientation (1 hour), professional development training (~2 hours), and networking (1 hour) sessions (synchronous, virtual sessions) Grant Writing Course classes 1 through 5: 2 hours/synchronous, virtual class time (tentatively once a week) and individual time to work on completing the assignments between classes |
| Summer Institute I at UC San Diego in La Jolla, CA or online (modality TBD*) |
1 week (July 2026) Note | Summer Institute I will be held from July 26-31, 2026. |
Structured curriculum with training in grant writing, professional development, mentorship, building mentoring teams, and infectious diseases scientific seminars |
| Mid-Year Meeting online |
2 days (January 2027) | Grant review in an NIH-styled mock study section on the grant proposal started in summer, career update presentations, professional development sessions, and research and career development plans with mentors and fellow participants |
| Mentor conference calls | approximately 1 hour/month or quarter from June 2026 through July 2027 | Work with mentors on RCAP and an NIH R01 or equivalent grant proposal. Meet with your research mentor once a month and with your career mentor once a quarter |
| Summer Institute II at UC San Diego in La Jolla, CA or online (modality TBD*) |
Up to 4-5 days (July 2027) | Grant review in an NIH-styled mock study section, leadership training, career update presentation, and on-site mentoring |
*Please note that the program will be held either in-person or online. No hybrid option will be provided.
Apply for the RAPID 2026-27 Cohort!
Submit your application form for the RAPID program 2026-27 cohort by Sunday, March 1, 2026.