Recognizing the critical importance of training young clinical investigators, Herbert and Florence Irving earmarked a major portion of the Irving Endowment for the Florence and Herbert Irving Clinical Research Career Awards, usually referred to as the Irving Scholars.  The program is open to applicants from all clinical departments at the College of Physicians and Surgeons on Columbia University Medical Center; candidates should hold the rank of assistant professor and be starting a career in clinical research. Scholars are selected on the basis of research proposals that reflect independent, well-developed scientific initiative in clinical investigation. It is expected that the proposed project will make significant use of the resources of the Irving Institute.  These three-year awards provide substantial salary support allowing the Scholar more time for clinical investigation.  The ranks of the Scholars appointed since the program was launched in 1987 include physicians who have since become internationally recognized for their work.