Whether you are new on campus or just need a reminder over this long hot summer, we want you to know about the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) -- and our mission to accelerate and catalyze the translation of innovative science into improved, equitable health and patient care for all. We do this by providing a multitude of resources to support clinical and translational research and science.
We provide specialized facilities and staff to conduct clinical research and programs to support early-career investigators. We may be best known for our pilot and training grant awards. Each year, the CCTSI awards nearly $3 million in pilot grants and training awards. Applications are due in January each year, with the application information available on the website in November. Since our launch in 2008, we have funded 502 projects, spanning the spectrum of basic science to clinical trials and community-based research.
Last year, CCTSI awarded grants to 23 different pilot projects. Investigators from Colorado State University, CU Boulder, CU Anschutz, CU Denver, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, and UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital were awardees. For every $1 invested in researchers through CCTSI pilot grants, there is a return on investment (ROI) of $17 in follow-on extramural funding.*
“We have a strong emphasis on training the next generation of researchers. We have 15 different training and education programs to help investigators along their research journey, in different stages of their careers, to encourage them to focus on translating discoveries into solving problems in human health,” said CCTSI Director Ron Sokol, MD. Sokol and longtime CCTSI Operations Director Janine Higgins, PhD lead the CCTSI as Multiple PIs.
We prepared a report on highlights of our activity during 2023. Take a look to learn about some of the many ways we help support research teams and investigators in their clinical research across CU Anschutz, UCHealth, Children’s Hospital Colorado, National Jewish Health, and University of Colorado Boulder.
Preview of the CCTSI 2023 Highlights report. |
Our many resources and services, community engagement and health equity programs, and our educational and training programs include:
- Clinical Science Graduate Program
- CO-Mentor Training
- Pre-K, Pre-R, and Pre-F Grant Review
- K12 Scholar Awards
- T32 Pre- and Post-Doctoral Training Awards
- I-Corps@CCTSI to kick-start entrepreneurial journey
- Communicating Your Science to the Public
- Community Immersion Training (CIT)
The CCTSI is funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Science of the NIH along with Children’s Hospital Colorado, UCHealth, CU Anschutz and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Last year, the CCTSI was re-funded by NCATS/NIH for the fourth time by a series of grants, which total $63 million and which will extend for seven years.
“We exist to foster and support a vibrant research community here on campus and across Colorado,” said Dr. Higgins. “If you haven’t yet participated in programs, sign up to become a member and get involved today!”
*data from 2009 - 2022
