CTSA Program Rural Health Efforts
The NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program is committed to accelerating clinical and translational research to address health disparities and the significant burden of conditions that disproportionately affect rural, minority and other underserved populations (NOT-TR-19-015). Increasing the speed, efficiency and effectiveness of clinical and translational research will reduce the burden of disease and promote health equity. Enhanced efforts by the CTSA Program to address longstanding regional health disparities are expected to provide innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to reducing the burden of disease among vulnerable populations.
Highlighted Projects
The following highlighted initiatives showcase CTSA Program-supported efforts across the country to reduce rural health disparities through collaboration, community-academic partnerships, primary care provider and pharmacist engagement, and peer outreach. Click each graphic element to learn more.

Credit: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Other Rural Health Information
CTSA Commitment to Rural Health
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CTSA Program Funding Opportunities
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Other Collaborative Efforts
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Past Activities
- NIH Rural Health Seminar: Improving Rural Health Through Research Dissemination and Implementation, Nov. 17, 2022
- Linking Research to Rural Communities With the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Webinar, March 31, 2020. This webinar expanded on the Rural Monitor article from 2019 with speakers Dr. Kurilla and Drs. Kay Miller Temple and Laura James.
- Appalachian Translational Research Network 10th Annual Health Summit—Community-Engaged Research in Translational Science: Innovations to Improve Health in Appalachia, Sept. 22–23, 2020. View the agenda (PDF - 558KB).
- NCATS and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, 2020 NIH Rural Health Seminar: Challenges in the Era of COVID-19. This seminar brought together researchers, medical practitioners and others to explore topics in rural health. Learn about the impact of COVID-19 on rural populations, systems and workforce issues, and community engagement in response to the pandemic. Watch the videocast.
- The Inaugural NIH Rural Health Seminar, Nov. 18, 2019. This seminar explored how innovations in clinical and translational science could improve rural health outcomes. Watch the videocast.
- The CTSA Program Un-Meeting on Rural Health and Health Equity focused on collaboration to improve rural health and achieve health equity.