The CTSA Program is designed to develop and implement innovative solutions that will improve the efficiency, quality and impact of the process for turning observations in the laboratory, clinic and community into interventions that improve the health of individuals and communities. NCATS amended the CTSA Program goals in response to the recent feedback and the maturation of the existing CTSA Program and will use a variety of mechanisms to achieve these goals (see CTSA Program Funding Information). The CTSA Program Goals are to:
- Advance clinical and translational science: develop, demonstrate and disseminate scientific and operational innovations that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical translation from identification to first-in-human studies to medical practice implementation to community health dissemination.
- Promote partnerships and collaborations to facilitate and accelerate translational research projects locally, regionally and nationally.
- Create, provide, and disseminate innovative research programs and partnerships across institutions and communities to address health disparities and deliver the benefits of translational science to all.
- Create and implement scientific and operational innovations that increase the quality, safety, efficiency, effectiveness and informativeness of clinical research.
- Provide a national resource for the rapid response to urgent public health needs.
- Create, provide and disseminate clinical and translational science training programs for clinical research professionals of all disciplines on the research team.
- Create, provide and disseminate clinical and translational science training and career support programs for translational scientists.
- Foster the development of the emerging field of translational science.
Read the latest stories highlighting CTSA research teams in action to:
- Develop, demonstrate and disseminate innovations that turn science into medicine faster.
- Promote impactful partnerships and collaborations.
- Address health disparities.
- Provide a national resource for the rapid response to urgent public health needs.
- Promote training and career support.
- Nurture the field of translational science. (Coming soon)
Developing, Demonstrating and Disseminating Innovations That Turn Science into Medicine Faster
NCATS-Supported Research Shows Promise for Stretchable, Wearable Electronics
Researchers at the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, a CTSA Program hub at the University of California, San Diego, overcame technological hurdles and found a way to make stretchable electronics in 3-D. This advance could open up new diagnosis and treatment possibilities, such as measuring heart signals, tracking eye movements or controlling a robotic limb.
- New CTSA Program Informatics Center to Create a Nationwide Data Ecosystem
- Improving Patient-Reported Outcome Data for Research through Seamless Integration of the PROMIS Toolkit and Computer-Adaptive Testing Modules into EHR Workflow
- NCATS Supports Novel Methods to Improve Institutional Review Board Efficiencies
More Innovation News Stories >
Promoting Impactful Partnerships and Collaborations
Opioids Increase the Risk of Pneumonia
Research, supported in part by the CTSA Program, suggests that opioids can increase a person’s risk for pneumonia that is severe enough to warrant hospitalization.
- CTSA Program Researchers Partner with Barbershops to Cut High Blood Pressure
- CTSA Program Hubs Collaborate to Assess Community Engagement
- NCATS-Supported Researchers Demonstrate Value in Community-Based Research Consultation Service
More Partnership and Collaboration News Stories >
Addressing Health Disparities
Harnessing the CTSA Program to Advance Telehealth
One out of every five Americans lives in a rural area, and many have difficulties accessing health care. To improve rural health outcomes, our CTSA Program is working to address health disparities unique to these areas and promote health equity.
- The Road to Improving Rural Health Outcomes
- NCATS-Supported Researchers Find Exercise May Help Protect DNA
- CTSA Program Researchers Advance Heart Condition Study Through Precision Medicine and Digital Health
More News Stories Addressing Health Disparities >
Providing a National Resource for The Rapid Response to Urgent Public Health Needs
CTSA Program-supported Study of Ketogenic Diet Intervention in Alzheimer’s Disease Shows Promise
CTSA Program-supported researchers tested the hypothesis that ketones could serve as a source of energy for the brain in people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study found improved brain function in those with mild AD after a three-month ketogenic diet.
- CTSA Program Supports Research on Rapid Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases in Seriously Ill Children
- CTSA Program Researchers Aim to Improve Health Care from All Sides
- CTSA Program Support Enables Development of Life-Saving Blood Loss Monitor
- CTSA Program Supports Emerging Research on Health Effects of Plastics
- A Model for Accelerating Translational Research in Real Time
More Rapid Response News Stories >
Promoting Training and Career Support
Staff who work on clinical studies can improve their skills with high-quality training through the DIAMOND portal. The goal of the Development, Implementation and Assessment of Novel Training in Domain-Based Competencies project is to create well-run clinical trials through well-trained staff.
Teaching Children About Translational Science and Clinical Trials
CTSA Program researchers from the University at Buffalo created “Sofia Learns About Research,” a coloring and activity book that introduces children and their guardians to translational science and teaches them about the importance of clinical trials.
Staff who work on clinical studies can improve their skills with high-quality training materials on the 
