About
Funding for the UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science (UMCCTS) is provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health (NIH), Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program. The CTSA program was organized in 2006, with UMCCTS funded by NIH in 2010 and renewed in 2015. In the United States, the CTSA network has grown to include over 60 program network sites, known as hubs. Approximately every 5 to 7 years, CCTS sites apply for funding that ensures the discoveries found in the lab and observations made in the clinic are developed into viable solutions that improve the health and healthcare available to our community, and ultimately, our nation and world.
Vision
The UMCCTS works in collaboration with our community and a broad array of partners to improve health and health care delivery by:
- Advancing the science of translation;
- Catalyzing high quality research across the translational spectrum; and
- Building and supporting a robust translational workforce
Mission
The UMCCTS provides cores, services, funding, education, and training that catalyze new ways of doing translational science, support trans-disciplinary collaboration, and educate the next generation of clinical and translational researchers.
Specific Aims
- Workforce Development: Build and support a transdisciplinary CTR workforce with the knowledge, skills, and institutional environment to advance high-impact translational research
- Collaboration/Engagement: Engage stakeholders throughout the translational process to optimize evidence- based, community-integrated research practices and apply these practices to specific projects that improve individual and population health
- Integration Across the Lifespan & Underrepresented or Disadvantaged Populations: Improve insights and practices that ensure that discoveries are translated to all who might benefit
- Methods & Processes: Develop, test, and share innovative solutions to critical gaps in the translational research process from discovery to community
- Informatics: Develop, demonstrate, and disseminate informatics innovations that accelerate both translational science and translational research operations and that provide the essential evidence base for learning health systems
UMass CCTS’s Clinical Research Services for Investigators Include:
- SUPPORT- Group mentorship supports the development of our K and T scholars and awardees and other pre- and post- doctoral students as well as junior faculty at the beginning their research career. In addition, we intentionally ensure the inclusion and encourage the career advancement of diverse investigators to progress the field of Clinical and Translational Science.
- RESEARCH RESOURCES- Researchers benefit from shared resources such as the biorepository and cores that support their work.
- EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES- Educational Opportunities that strengthen our doctorial programs and practitioners in developing into principal investigators and physician scientists.
- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & COLLABORATION- Community Engagement is vital in the development of healthcare products and services that truly meet societal needs as well as engage patients, address hesitancies, and provide appropriate information to tackle their healthcare needs.
- ANALYTICS- Developments in medical informatics, biostatistics and analytics are essential to gathering the big data needed to inform our research, allowing us to see a wholistic picture of health in real-time.
- FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES- Pilot funding opportunities that support your research interests and provide better healthcare for the Commonwealth and, ultimately, the nation and world.
We encourage you to browse through our website to learn more about how the UMCCTS advances clinical and translational research through education and training, pilot funding programs, resources, and services.
