The CTSC offers seed funding opportunities for pilot and planning studies, studies involving community engagement research, and studies involving the development of novel clinical and translational methodologies (“Innovation Incubator Awards”). RFAs for all award types are released on specific dates each year and announced through the CTSC web site as well as broadcast e-mail at each of the partner institutions. Descriptions of the individual award types, as well as links to the latest request for applications and review criteria, are provided below.
Effective collaboration between basic and clinical researchers is the central engine for advancing biomedical innovation. The objective of Pilot Awards program is to create opportunities for translational team research across disciplines and institutions, and between basic and clinical scientists. Funding can be requested for up to two years. The goals of this award are to:
Planning awards are aimed at assisting in the development of novel research ideas leading to studies with an inter-disciplinary and inter-institutional focus, ultimately eligible for pilot funding. These awards are generally smaller than pilot awards and awarded for a period of one year.
An innovative and extensive Community Engagement and Outreach Program, designed to access New York City's large ethnically, racially and age-diverse patient populations is led by Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC (CUCE-NYC). CUCE-NYC has been in existence for over fifty years and is the "hub" of community participation in research and education throughout all boroughs in NYC. As a partner in the CTSC, CUCE plays a major role in identifying and addressing the special health needs of New Yorkers and their involvement in clinical and translational research.
The principal objective of the program is to improve the health status of the community through research by creating a framework (integrating research, outreach and education) for productive community collaboration in biomedical research. Inclusion of culturally and racially diverse groups will ensure their necessary representation in the development of treatments that will benefit New York City's diverse populations and lead to implementation of best clinical practices.
The aim of the Community Engagement Award program is to foster research and collaborations focusing on community engagement which have a direct relevance to community health concerns. Priority is given to proposals with:
Recognizing the importance of novel ideas and new methodologies as the starting point in the research pipeline, the CTSC has developed strategies for initiatives that will foster new concepts and new ideas to test innovative methodologies through pilot and proof-of-concept studies. It is anticipated that some of the novel methodologies and tools that are developed will result in the creation of new technical cores within our institution and beyond, while others will provide opportunities to enhance patient care through partnerships with industry. Specifically, this award aims to: promote the generation of novel ideas by breaking down traditional research silos and enhancing communication among institutions and disciplines; support and test novel ideas in translational methodologies; incorporate relevant novel technologies into CTSC technical cores; and accelerate promising technologies into clinical and commercial application for improvement of patient health.
The CTSC is funded through grant UL1 RR024996 from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health.
© Clinical and Translational Science Center
