Earlier this year, CTSI submitted an application to renew its Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA).
CTSI’s proposal focuses on enhancing the scope, quality, and efficiency of team-based clinical and translational science research, with the ultimate goal of improving human health. CTSI would enhance many of its current programs and initiatives, and also implement new, innovative efforts to advance research.
“The proposal was a remarkable team effort that included individuals from across the Academic Health Center and broader University, clinical partners, and community stakeholders,” says Bruce Blazar, MD, who serves as CTSI’s Director, the Academic Health Center’s Associate Vice President for Clinical and Translational Science, and the Medical School’s Vice Dean for Clinical Investigation. “We want to thank those who contributed to CTSI over the past five years, and who are engaged and supporting us as we advance forward.”
CTSI’s application responds to a new strategic framework outlined by NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) following an Institute of Medicine review in 2013. The new strategic framework calls for a re-allocation of funding for:
- A stronger local, regional, and national CTSA network with more opportunities for multi-site trials, collaboration, and education.
- Deeper integration of research and clinical care.
- Improved methods and processes for clinical and translational research.
- More clinical and translational education and training for all members of the “team”: KL2 scholars (young faculty members conducting translational research), TL1 scholars (pre- and post-doctoral trainees interested in pursuing translational research careers), research staff, undergraduates, and community members.
- More community engagement, which includes more patient and patient advocate engagement.
- Expanded informatics services and education.
- More diversity in the clinical and translational research community, especially among KL2 and TL1 scholars.
- Unique programmatic contributions to the national CTSA consortium.
In response to this, our goals moving forward are to:
- Train an outstanding multidisciplinary, diverse workforce across the spectrum of clinical and translational science research that is skilled in team science.
- Streamline methods and processes to increase CTSI’s research capacity, both locally and nationally.
- Engage communities and stakeholders to improve the process of translation and the delivery of healthcare across the lifespan and to a diverse population.
- Contribute unique University of Minnesota resources to the CTSA network.
CTSI anticipates receiving a score in June or early July and a funding decision in the fall of 2016.