NCATS Biennial Report 2021-2022
Our biennial report for 2021-2022 highlights translational science initiatives aimed at shortening the path from scientific discoveries to better health.
Director’s Introduction
Joni L. Rutter, Ph.D.
At NCATS, our mission is to turn research observations into health solutions through translational science. We define translational science as “the field that generates scientific and operational innovations to solve long-standing challenges along the translational research pipeline.” Since NCATS’ beginning in 2011, we have successfully overcome many research bottlenecks through our programs and initiatives.
The NCATS team’s successes spring from our organizational culture. We value innovation, collaboration, and acceleration, and our patient-driven focus is ever-present. Our programs are nimble and can pivot quickly to address public health emergencies. We creatively leverage our resources to address high-level needs across all diseases. And because the needs far exceed the scope of any one organization, we employ team science to share ideas, knowledge, and expertise.
In 2021, our staff identified an initial set of principles that characterize effective approaches for translation. The principles stem in part from in-depth case studies of successful NCATS-supported activities that addressed scientific and operational processes to make the research faster, more efficient, and more impactful.
The stories we share in this report show the translational science principles in action for an array of translational research problems we addressed in 2021–2022. As you will read, the principles shaped our approaches to tackling rare diseases, COVID-19, and the toxic effects of drugs. I am certain they will inspire us to find solutions for whatever comes next.
Joni L. Rutter, Ph.D.
Director
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Focus on Unmet Needs
NCATS pursues scientific goals that address unmet scientific, patient or population health needs.
Generalizable Solutions
NCATS develops innovations that address persistent challenges found across multiple research initiatives or projects, or that span research on multiple diseases or conditions.
Creativity and Innovation
NCATS leverages creativity and innovation to increase the impact of research.
Cross-Disciplinary Team Science
NCATS engages experts across disciplines, fields and professions to advance research.
Efficiency and Speed
NCATS uses evidence-informed practices and scientific and operational innovations to accelerate translational research.
Boundary-Crossing Partnerships
NCATS leverages collaborations across agencies, sectors and communities to speed research advances.
Bold and Rigorous Approaches
NCATS addresses ambitious research questions with rigorous and robust methods that generate reproducible findings and advance translation.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
NCATS leverages diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility to produce research outcomes that are relevant to the full diversity of the population.
Appendix: Statutory Language on Biennial Report
Statutory language says NCATS shall publish a report on a biennial basis.