CTSA Ansible- July 2020

THE SPOTLIGHT | WHAT’S NEW | GET INVOLVED | CONSORTIUM CORNER

Mike’s Blog – July 2020

National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C)

During the past several months (there are times when the weeks feel like days and then others when the days feel like months), we have been working to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by creating a centralized, secure, cloud-based clinical data portal. To this end, NCATS recently launched the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) to build a centralized national data resource that focuses the power of Big Data harnessed from our large network of CTSA hubs and affiliated institutions.

In this month’s blog, I wanted to provide our CTSA Program community an update about N3C’s efforts, milestones, activities, and some key resources. Continue Reading

THE SPOTLIGHT

CTSA Program Hub Directory

As the coordinating center for the CTSA Program CLIC has developed on their website a central location to find information about various aspects of the CTSA Program. One specific resource they provide is the CTSA Program hub pages*. These pages provide a “one-stop” place to obtain high level information about the institutions that make up the CTSA Program. Each hub has the ability to add various contacts for their hub to these pages, and more importantly each hubs’ Enterprise Committee voting members need to be listed on this page. Hubs should make an effort to maintain their CTSA Program hub page regularly. Should you have any questions about updating your CTSA Program hub pages view the “Updating Your Hub Directory” video in the CLIC Library or contact CLIC directly.

*Hubs listed on the page were listed in NIHRePORTER as of the last updated date indicated on the page.

WHAT’S NEW

N3C: Partnership and Governance for COVID-19 Research

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) was rapidly assembled to answer questions and meet emerging research needs brought to light by the novel coronavirus. In the span of two months, the N3C developed work groups to address governance issues, as well as issues concerning data partnerships and acquisition, data harmonization, and the creation of a secure data enclave designed to reduce barriers to EHR data sharing and collaborative analytics.

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Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics for Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) Initiative

As part of a multi-faceted response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NIH has launched an unprecedented four-pronged initiative, entitled Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics, or RADx, to catalyze the scientific community to improve testing technologies, capacity, and accessibility for the country. One of the four RADx components, RADx-Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) will establish a network of community-engaged projects to improve access to and acceptance of testing in underserved and vulnerable populations. Here are four recently published funding opportunity announcements to solicit community-engaged research on COVID-19 testing among underserved and/or vulnerable populations to both understand and close the disparity gap:

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Limited Competition for Emergency Competitive Revisions for Community-Engaged Research on COVID-19 Testing among Underserved and/or Vulnerable Populations NOT-OD-20-121

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Emergency Competitive Revisions for Community-Engaged Research on COVID-19 Testing among Underserved and/or Vulnerable PopulationsNOT-OD-20-120

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Emergency Competitive Revisions for Social, Ethical, and Behavioral Implications (SEBI) Research on COVID-19 Testing among Underserved and/or Vulnerable Populations NOT-OD-20-119

Emergency Awards: RADx-UP Coordination and Data Collection Center (CDCC) (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) RFA-OD-20-013

Applications for the first phase will be accepted through August 2020.For more information please review carefully each notice. Investigators planning to submit an application in response to the NOSIs are strongly encouraged to contact and discuss their proposed research/aims with Program staff listed on this NOSI well in advance of the application receipt date to better determine appropriateness and interest of the relevant Institute. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to notify the Program staff listed on this NOSI that a request has been submitted in response to this FOA in order to facilitate efficient processing of the request.For additional questions please contact:Dr. Xinzhi Zhang.

For a complete list of RADx notices visit:https://www.nih.gov/research-training/medical-research-initiatives/radx/funding

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2020 NCATS Responsive Un-Meeting – Save the Date!

The CLIC hosted NCATS responsive Un-Meeting has refocused and rescheduled to a ½ day virtual Un-Meeting Wednesday September 30th, 2020. This new “rapid-response” topic will encourage discussions around the changes resulting from the COVID pandemic. Other potential topics include Identifying clinical research trial design opportunities as a unified network in the post-COVID clinical era? What does training look like? What do remote trials look like? What is the impact on recruitment? Furthermore, what is the role of CTSA Program in clinical research post-COVID. CTSA Program “hub-appointed representative” registration will open in late July and full registration in mid/late August, stay tuned! We look forward to seeing you in the ether!

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