IGNITE Program
About the Program
The IGNITE Program provides structured mentoring and grant development support for fellows and other early-career investigators preparing career development awards.
Each participant is paired with an experienced faculty mentor who meets with them regularly throughout the preparation of their application. The focus is on writing coaching, grant strategy, timelines, accountability, and keeping the application process on track.
The mentoring relationship is trainee-driven. Participants are expected to take the lead in scheduling meetings, setting goals, identifying areas where feedback is needed, preparing materials in advance, and following through on agreed-upon milestones. The IGNITE mentor provides structure, coaching, feedback, and accountability throughout the process.
IGNITE is designed to complement, not replace, the participant’s primary research mentorship. Primary research mentors remain responsible for scientific guidance and development of the research program, while IGNITE mentors focus on the structure, clarity, organization, and overall competitiveness of the career development application.
Since September 2025, the program has offered:
- Structured mentoring throughout career development award preparation
- Regular one-on-one meetings with an experienced faculty member
- Trainee-driven goal setting and meeting agendas
- Writing coaching and iterative feedback on grant materials
- Grant strategy and guidance on positioning the application
- Clear timelines, milestones, and accountability
- Support with Specific Aims, candidate statements, career development plans, and overall application organization
- Coordination with the K award review process prior to submission
The goal of IGNITE is to help participants produce stronger applications while developing the writing, planning, and grant-development skills needed for long-term research independence.
How to Enroll
Ideally, participants enter the program approximately six months before their planned grant deadline. This allows sufficient time for iterative writing, mentor feedback, revision, and coordination with the Department’s K award review process before submission.
Participants are also asked to provide a letter of support from their primary research mentor, confirming the mentor’s support for the applicant’s career development plan and participation in the program.
Faculty Leads
| Sara Gianella Weibel, MD | Joaquim "Joe" Ix, MD |
| Vice Chair | Faculty Development & Mentoring | Vice Chair | Clinical Affairs |
| gianella@health.ucsd.edu | joix@health.ucsd.edu |
Want to see more programs?
Visit our Mentoring Academy site to see all the programs we offer for our faculty and junior investigators!