Funds the development of innovative solutions to scientific and operational roadblocks in translational research.
The NC TraCS Clinical & Translational Science (CTS) Research Program fuels groundbreaking translational science research to fast-track the discovery and implementation of more treatments, for all people, more quickly.
As part of UNC Chapel Hill's Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA)—funded by the National Institutes for Health (NIH) and implemented by NC TraCS—the CTS Research Program supports cutting-edge translational science research that addresses challenges along the translational research pipeline.
Our goal is to support the development of innovative solutions to scientific and operational roadblocks in translational research that speed up the discovery and implementation of effective treatments, ultimately improving the health of all people (more treatments, for all people, more quickly).
We aim to achieve this by funding investigators and their teams to implement translational science research projects through our Innovation to Impact Awards. These projects:
The CTS Research Program invites applications for our CTS Innovation to Impact Awards. Proposals must apply a translational science aim to a translational research question—in other words, proposals will focus on developing innovative methods or approaches that enhance the translational research process while also addressing a specific disease or condition.
Key information:
For more information, view the RFA (pdf), concept proposal checklist (pdf), and the expandable sections below.
Questions? Contact the CTS Research Program staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Although translational research (TR) bridges the gap between basic science and health outcomes for specific diseases or targets, translational science (TS) develops general scientific or operational approaches applicable across various diseases or targets.
Applications to the CTS Innovation to Impact Awards should include a TS aim applied to a TR question. This means projects should focus on developing innovative methods or approaches that enhance the research process while also addressing a specific disease or condition.
Translational research vs. translational science:
Translational Research (TR)The endeavor to traverse a particular step of the translational process for a particular target or disease |
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Translational Science (TS)The field of investigation focused on understanding the scientific and operational principles underlying each step of the translational process |
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Source: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-293.html
Applications submitted to the TraCS CTS Pilot Program must focus on translational science ; translational research projects are generally not allowed. However, the proposed research may use a specific use case to test a CTS hypothesis (see above), in which case the CTS relevance of the work should be clearly described.
The CTS Research Program that started in 2023 currently supports two ongoing projects.
This project, in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau, compares social determinants of health (SDoH) variables from various sources. Investigators aim to understand the data's reliability and potential biases (TS). They are also using these variables to investigate the association between SDoH responses and diabetes outcomes (TR use-case).
In a separate cohort of participants, investigators will use interviews and focus groups to explore the experiences of health care providers, medical assistants, and patients or their caregivers in asking, following up on, and answering questions related to SDoH during routine clinical practice (TR).
This project will result in:
The project team collaborates with several TraCS resources and services, including Informatics and Data Science (IDSci), Patient and Community Engagement in Research (PaCER), the Inclusive Science Program (ISP), Recruitment and Retention, Team Science, and the Research and Coordination Management Unit (RCMU).
Using factors from medical records along with clinician judgement, statistical analyses, model verification, and risk-targeted care plan development in a wayfinding process, this team is developing an oncology (TR use-case) risk-stratified intervention system (OR-SIS) (TS). They aim to demonstrate that OR-SIS is acceptable to clinicians and patients, feasible to implement, reduces Acute Care Events (ACEs) and prolonged therapy use, and promotes equity among historically marginalized patients (TS). It will serve as a prototype for prognostic modeling in other clinical contexts (TS).
This project will result in:
This project team collaborates with TraCS' IDSci and Biostatitics programs.
Other examples of TS include:
Projects funded by the CTS Research Program must aim to address a truly significant roadblock in CTS science. A list of common roadblocks:
TraCS CTS Pilot Roadblocks Table (pdf)
CTS Research Program awards may range from $125,000-$250,000 per year in direct costs for an award period of 2-3 years (3 year maximum). No-cost extensions are not permitted, so it is critical that the proposed work can be completed within the funding periods.
Please refer to the full RFA for budget guidelines, including allowable expenses.
FOA Release Date | August 2024 |
FAQ Session | September 13, 2024 |
Concept Proposal Due Date | October 17, 2024 |
Invitations for Full Proposals | November 2024 |
Full Proposal Due Date | February 27, 2025 |
Review of Full Proposals | Spring 2025 |
Anticipated Negotiations and Revisions | Summer-Fall 2025 |
Anticipated Project Initiation Activities | Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 |
Anticipated Funding/Project Start | Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 |
Concept Proposals are due October 17, 2024, and, if invited, Full Proposals are due February 27, 2025.
The CTS Research Program anticipates to onboard one project beginning in Fall 2025, and a second project beginning in Spring 2026.
To apply as a Principal Investigator (PI) at UNC Chapel Hill, you must have a faculty position, a non-faculty role such as "research scientist," or another independent research position typically eligible for investigator-initiated awards and NIH "R" funding. Post-doctoral research associates are not eligible to apply as PI.
Teams of multiple PIs are encouraged. All PIs must share equal responsibility for the conduct and direction of the project and meet the PI eligibility criteria described above. One PI will serve as the "Contact PI"the main point of contact with the CTS Research Program administration.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to use NC TraCS resources and services in their proposals. These resources and services will be available to applicants at a reduced rate.
During the Concept Proposal stage, applicants should review NC TraCS resources and services, identify which services they think may be relevant to their project, and briefly describe the role(s) they anticipate the service(s) playing in the proposed work.
Applicants invited to submit a Full Proposal are required to meet with representatives of each of the services they plan to engage with prior to submission. This consult is mandatory, and applicants will be expected to provide detailed descriptions of agreed-upon NC TraCS service assistance.
The applicant must ensure the proposal is clear and logical, convincingly demonstrates the significance of the work, and provides detailed methods for an adequate evaluation.
The following review criteria will be considered during review of the proposal:
View the information session video recorded on September 13, 2024.
View the Information Session slides (pdf).
For a list of pre-submission steps, view the concept proposal checklist (pdf).
For full instructions on developing and submitting Concept Proposals and Full Proposals, please refer to the RFA (pdf).
All Concept Proposals and Full Proposals will be submitted through the NC TraCS online submission system, located under "Clinical and Translational Science Innovation to Impact Awards".
Questions regarding the CTS Research Program and the application process? Please contact CTS Research Program staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Brinkhous-Bullitt, 2nd floor
160 N. Medical Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
919.966.6022
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