Introduction:
The Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) is currently supported by a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) to Tufts University and provides dedicated inpatient and outpatient research space, study coordinators, specialized nursing services, administrative assistance, protocol and grant development, bionutritional support, and essential laboratory services for more than 55 investigators (funded by 65 NIH or other federal grants). All of these services are unique and not routinely provided by any other core facility. In order to support existing investigators and attract new research to the CTRC, the Tufts CTSI is pleased to offer a new CTSI internal grant program designed for investigators needing institutional support to successfully conduct their clinical trials. Funds will be provided for nursing services (either in the CTRC or “scattered” to other units located on the Tufts Health Sciences Campus), inpatient/outpatient space, and bionutritional support in the CTRC by using these resources primarily during currently underutilized periods.
Description of Grants:
Grants of $1,000 to $10,000 will be awarded to investigators whose proposals meet the criteria outlined below (up to two awards can be received per Investigator). Approved grants will be billed for room charges at $40.00 per hour, nursing services at $23.75 per hour (room charges will not apply if nursing services are being used), and bionutritionist assistance at $9.75/hour. Proposals can be submitted the first two weeks of each month, will be reviewed by CTRC staff and the CTSI Portal Directors, and then submitted to the CTSI Operations Committee. The Committee will then give out the awards based on merit and availability of requested resources. If your request isn’t funded you may reapply one time. In some instances it may be necessary for CTSI administrative staff to negotiate budgets with the Principal Investigator based on availability of funds and resources. Applications that agree to use CTRC services primarily during “off-peak” hours (12-3:30 PM Monday-Friday) will receive the strongest consideration. This strategy should be cost effective since most study patients visit the CTRC in the morning (due to subjects fasting overnight). In the afternoon periods, utilization is lighter and clinical research space and other resources are fixed. Studies should be proposed that will have a high likelihood of ultimately receiving NIH or other support.
Application and Application Deadline:
The application can be downloaded here. This one-time grant program will only be applicable between now and July 1, 2010. After July 1, the usual CTRC rates will apply at all times for all services.
Who to Submit Applications to:
Please submit your application to Sandie Robinson at Box 831 or applications may be dropped off at the CTRC on Farnsworth 6.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Investigators with NIH or foundation support with insufficient funds available to cover essential services for their clinical trials being conducted in the CTRC. This may involve the need for space for patients to be studied, nursing services, or input from a bionutritionist.
- Investigators with small grants that do not provide enough support to cover essential CTRC services.
- Junior investigators needing support to generate preliminary data for a future grant application.
