In 2007, the Medical University of South Carolina announced the establishment of the BIRCWH Career Development Program.  This program supports the research career development of junior faculty members who have recently completed clinical training or postdoctoral fellowships, and who have mentorship and a solid plan for training in Basic Research, Translational Research, Clinical Research, and/or Health Services Research relevant to women's health in the areas of mental health, addiction, aging or cognitive decline.  BIRCWH is a K12 career development program co-funded by the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIHCD), National Institutes of Health.

BIRCWH Scholars receive 2-3 years of salary support commensurate with 75-100% effort per year (see Salary & Time Commitment under Eligibility) to pursue multidisciplinary clinical & pre-clinical research.  The program includes a supportive environment, start-up research funds, access to core faculty who provide expertise and guidance in research design, measurement techniques, study coordination, data management, biostatistical analysis, publishing and presenting research, grant writing, and a training plan that the applicants in consultation with their mentors must develop specific to their career goals.