BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program

The BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program is a structured funding initiative by the Charité Foundation and the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) that supports physician-scientists in specialty training at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin as well as cooperating university hospitals. With protected research time ranging from 20% to 50% and a tailored curriculum, the program enables a close integration of clinical patient care and scientific work over a period of up to 36 months. The open-topic and interdisciplinary concept also includes internationalization grants, which fund travel expenses for research stays at partner institutions abroad or invitations of international scientists to Charité. The goal is to advance innovative research projects with high practical relevance and to strengthen early-career researchers in their career development up to professorship.

Eligible for funding are licensed physicians in the second half of their specialty training (Junior CSP and CSP) as well as habilitated specialists on the path to professorship (Advanced CSP). Funding is provided in the form of a grant covering proportional personnel costs for research time, travel expenses for internationalization grants, as well as curriculum and training measures. Application requirements include a project description, a curriculum vitae, a letter of recommendation, proof of specialty training, and a detailed research proposal. The selection process particularly evaluates the innovation potential of the project, its relevance to clinical practice, as well as the qualification and career prospects of the applicants. Applications can be submitted continuously via the online portal, allowing interested physicians to submit their documents at any time and benefit from this established program.