Director's Corner
News and updates from Gary Schwartz, TRANSCEND Program Director.
NIH Funding Overview
Below is an interview of funding at the NIH, covering the funding process, grant mechanisms, funding opportunity announcements, and research plan preparation.
Director's Welcome (October 2024)
Thank you for your interest in TRANSCEND. Our goal is to increase the pool of clinical
and translational (C&T) researchers in North Dakota who can help North Dakota transcend
some of its health challenges.
What exactly is C&T research? According to the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), “clinical research” means research that directly involves patients or individuals at risk of disease (e.g., prevention research with healthy persons). “Translational” is “the process of turning observations in the laboratory, clinic and community into interventions that improve the health of individuals and communities from diagnostics, preventions, and treatments to medical procedures and behavioral changes.” These broad definitions can encompass a wide range of studies and investigators.
We invite you to explore our website, including the many “on demand” PowerPoint and video presentations in the Design, Compliance, and Data Management Core that span the landscape of C&T research.
We also encourage you to register in the TRANSCEND portal, which can help identify potential collaborators and will keep you informed of upcoming opportunities. For example, our first research grant pilot opportunity is now underway. We plan to repeat that opportunity at regular intervals. Additionally, a seminar series and opportunities to obtain more formal training in C&T research via online CME courses offered from universities with prominent C&T programs (e.g., Stanford University, Mayo Clinic) will be announced shortly.
So please explore, register, and let us know how we can work together for the benefit of all North Dakotans.
Gary G. Schwartz
Program Director, TRANSCEND