Individuals who plan to pursue careers in independent investigation should apply for the investigator track. Potential qualified candidates include: students matriculated in research degree program, who are preparing for or engaged in the conduct of research for their dissertation; post-doctoral research fellows; early career investigators; or doctorally prepared clinician-researchers.

The program will consist of a two-year research education program launching in December 2024. Participants will have the opportunity to present and receive feedback on a proposed research project; be matched with an external mentor who is senior in the conduct of independent investigation; gain networking and leadership skills; participate in implicit bias and racism training; hear the insights and pearls of career investigators on challenging decisions made in designing and conducting research with populations supervised in criminal justice settings; and participate in mock NIH scientific reviews. Participants will refine their goals for the program in a supportive setting. Over the ensuing year, participants will have the opportunity to apply for funding to conduct independent research either through the CTC Core or via JRIG grant process of JCOIN.  

Travel, hotel and per diem expenses will be covered to meet during two national conferences, the Academic and Health Policy Conference on Correctional Health and the Addictions Health Research Conference. Hotel costs and conference registration will be covered for these events.

Applications are being accepted for the 2024-25 cohort of 10 scholar and 10 investigator participants and must be completed by 11/6/24. Applications will be reviewed by the JCOIN LEAP program leadership team and scored using a detailed rubric. All scoring will be based on the strength of written goals, quality of curriculum vitae/resume as a fit for this program, articulated plan to engage in research as a collaborator, and described motivation to participate in research within the criminal legal and health fields.