On June 25, 2013, the Institute of Medicine released a report evaluating the national Clinical and Translational Science Awards program, which is led by the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. To date, the program has awarded CTSAs to 61 biomedical research institutions across the country, including the UF CTSI.
Titled “The CTSA Program at NIH: Opportunities for Advancing Clinical and Translational Research,” the report was commissioned in July 2012 by the NIH at the urging of Congress to evaluate the CTSA program and recommend possible changes to its mission and operation.
Christopher P. Austin, Ph.D., director of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, released a statement that he will begin to implement the recommendations immediately.
Findings and Recommendations
The IOM committee found the CTSA program is contributing significantly to advancing clinical and translational research and made seven recommendations that could make the program more efficient and effective and ensure future successes:
- Strengthen the leadership of the CTSA program by NCATS
- Reconfigure and streamline the CTSA Consortium
- Build on the strengths of individual CTSAs across the spectrum of clinical and translational research
- Formalize and standardize the evaluation processes for individual CTSAs and the CTSA program
- Advance innovation in education and training programs
- Ensure community engagement in all phases of research
- Strengthen clinical and translational research relevant to child health
Report Links
- Institute of Medicine Report
- NCATS Director Statement
- NCATS FAQs about the IOM Report
Related News
- July 8, 2013, ScienceCareers: Overhauling Translational Training
- June 25, 2013, ScienceInsider: Translational Centers Need More Guidance From NIH, Says Report
- June 25, 2013, GenomeWeb Daily News: IOM Urges Centralizing CTSA Leadership, Expanding Collaborations in Program’s Next Phase
- June 25, 2013, MedPage Today: IOM Praises Translational Research at NIH
- June 25, 2013, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News: NCATS Eyes Changes to CTSA as Sequestration Limits Options
- June 25, 2013, NIH Director’s Blog: Strengthening Clinical/Translational Research in the U.S.