NIH expands national consortium dedicated to transforming clinical and translationa...(rsity of Colorado Denver (Aurora Colo.) ...)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, N.C.)

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (San Antonio)

The University of Utah (Salt Lake City)

These 14 academic health centers join 24 others announced in 2006 and 2007. Total funding for these new awards is $533 million over five years. The 2008 CTSA grants expand state representation in the consortium to Alabama, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Utah. They also support pediatric research at 13 dedicated childrens hospitals; expand research in genetics and genomics; enhance research in behavioral immunology and infection risk; and increase outreach into local communities.

As the CTSA consortium expands across the nation, the NIH is elevating clinical and translational research from a single research enterprise to a network of exceptional collaborations that will translate new knowledge into tangible benefits for the American people by bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise leading to new prevention strategies and clinical treatments, said NCRR Director Barbara M. Alving, M.D.

Since its launch in 2006, the consortium has been:

• training researchers in the complexities of clinical and translational research through nationally recognized degree-granting programs;

• leveraging CTSA resources to expand research and training opportunities in underserved states and communities;

• assembling interdisciplinary teams that include but are not limited to basic scientists, biologists, clinical researchers, dentists, veterinarians, nurses, pharmacists, biomedical engineers, and geneticists;

• partnering with researchers at minority institutions to enhance outreach to underserved populations, local community and advocacy organizations, and health care providers;
  
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