NCATS’ strategic principles represent its philosophy. To accomplish the overarching goal of bringing more treatments to more patients more quickly, NCATS programs are guided by the following principles:
Catalytic: NCATS is a catalyst that enables others to perform more efficient and effective translation.
Generalizable Principles: NCATS uncovers fundamental principles shared among diseases and translational processes; widespread implementation of such generalizable principles will accelerate translation.
Innovative: NCATS programs lead to profound improvements in translational understanding and effectiveness, producing innovation that establishes fundamentally new ways of doing translation that are multiplicative in their effects.
Collaborative: Translational research endeavors require the expertise of multiple people and groups, particularly as the research is carried across through different phases of the translational science spectrum. NCATS approaches translation as a “team sport.”
Patient-focused: At all phases of translational science, NCATS is committed to patients and their communities and looks for opportunities to include the patient perspective. The ultimate goal of translation is tangible improvement in health, so the perspectives of and partnerships with patients are crucial.
Measurable: NCATS continuously improves translational effectiveness, so programs must be designed and implemented with explicit indicators of success for translational progress.