CCPR Traineeships

CCPR currently offers one training program funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Please contact Program Director Jennie Brand if you are interested in a specific program, or Lucy Shao (Lucy@ccpr.ucla.edu) if you have general questions about the programs.

NICHD Predoctoral Training Program: The “California Center Population Research Training Program” sponsors four predoctoral students each year. The program emphasizes the multi-disciplinary character of contemporary demographic research by exposing trainees to an integrated program of research in economics, sociology, and public health. The training program is a mixture of formal course work and practical research experience, designed to provide students with a firm grounding in a social science discipline, a rich understanding of the multi-disciplinary range of research in demography, and experience and skill in designing, conducting and presenting scientific work. This training program is funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Director: Jennie Brand (brand@soc.ucla.edu)

CCPR Trainee FAQs

1. Can a trainee hold additional employment during his/her traineeship?

Yes, supplemental income in the form of work, is allowed. Director approval is needed prior to accepting any positions. Because trainees are expected to work fulltime on their program, additional employment is limited to 2 quarters per year and no more than 9 hrs/week. There are no exceptions allowed to this policy.

Supplemental income may not be paid from a research grant that supports the same research that is part of the trainee’s planned training experiences as approved in the training program.

2. Are you allowed to hold other grants/fellowships/awards while a CCPR trainee?

You are not allowed to hold multiple major awards. For example, you cannot hold a CCPR traineeship and DYF, NSF or a year-long graduate mentorship award. For questions about what constitutes a “major” award please ask the director.

3. Can I accept a GSRM during my traineeship?

You may accept a GSRM, but bear in mind that if you accept a GSRM, then you will not receive any supplemental stipend that Graduate Division gives to CCPR trainees based on the agreement between CCPR and Graduate Division. For example, if you hold a traineeship for 2015-16 and received a GSRM during the summer (July-Sept 2015), you are not eligible for supplemental stipend. You do have an opportunity to apply for the GSRM for summer 2016 (July-Sept. 2016). It’s your responsibility to meet all the GSRM criteria and deadlines. All trainees are eligible to apply for the Graduate Summer Research Mentorship Fellowship (GSRM).

4. Can I take a leave of absence?

Yes, but the director must be notified immediately of any leave of absence. In addition, stipend payments will be discontinued.

5. Can I go abroad to do fieldwork?

No, it’s expected that the traineeship is conducted at the home institution.

6. What are the core courses that I need to take?

Trainees are expected to complete at least 1 core class prior to or during their year of traineeship. Any exception to the core class criteria requires director’s approval.
a. SOC 213A / CHS M208. Introduction to demographic methods
b. SOC 213B. Techniques of demographic and ecological analysis
c. SOC 226A. Introduction to theory and major empirical research in social demography
d. SOC 226B. Introduction to theory and major empirical research in social demography
e. CHS M263. Social demography of Los Angeles
f. CHS 431. Foundations of reproductive health
g. ECO 262P. Economic demography

7. Do I have to be CITI certified?

Yes, whether or not you conduct IRB research. You need to email your CITI certification to Ana Ramirez  (aramirez@ccpr.ucla.edu).

8. Do I need to acknowledge the traineeship on my publications?
Yes, you must acknowledge both the training grant (T32) and CCPR (P2C) on any and all publications  resulting from your work as a trainee, regardless of whether you’re 1st, 5th or 25th author. This  applies post graduation as well as while you are a trainee. Any work begun while a trainee should  thank the T32 and P2C and should be submitted to PubMed Central. For additional information
regarding acknowledgements, please visit:  http://www.ccpr.ucla.edu/ccprwebsite/services/acknowledgments-and-pubmed/

9. Can I attend other conferences, other than PAA?

Travel funding is for PAA attendance. Any exception would need prior approval from the program director.

10. Must stipends be distributed on a monthly basis?
Yes. This is a requirement of the university’s effort reporting.