The US initiative: Clinical and translational science awards-the UC davis perspective

The US Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) have had a transformative impact on clinical and translational research and research education and training. As a member of the first cohort of funded CTSAs in 2006, the University of California Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center has taken full advantage of the mandate provided to achieve institutional transformation. To achieve these goals, a spectrum of initiatives was launched that challenged the existing institutional culture and resulted in the development of novel mechanisms and tools to engage trainees, investigators, institutional leaders, the community, and external partners. Examples of such initiatives include an expanded and integrated research education program, full leverage of institutional information technology resources, a versatile pilot project program, and the creation of an effective evaluation resource. Similar efforts throughout US CTSA institutions are contributing to expand resource utilization and efficiencies for national clinical and translational research capabilities.