Clinical and Translational Science Institute
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Clinical and Translational Science Pilot Program (CTSP)

Clinical and Translational Science Pilot Program (CTSP)

The CTSP award supports highly meritorious research that explores a translational science-directed hypothesis for the development of preliminary data. This funding mechanism is designed to enable investigators to be competitive in applying for extramural funding.

Funding

$25,000-$35,000

Pre-Application Due Date

September 16, 2024

Full Application Due Date

November 1, 2024

The Clinical Translational Science Pilot Program (CTSP) is now accepting applications for the 2025 CTSI Translational Science Pilot Award, funded through the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program. The goal of the CTSI Translational Science Pilot Award is to fund highly meritorious research for the development of preliminary data to enable researchers to be competitive in applying for extramural funding that advances clinical and translational science.

This request for applications (RFA) is designed to stimulate and support transformative, innovative, interdisciplinary studies that seek to advance team science, implementation science, inter-institutional partnerships and/or community partnerships through understanding and addressing  the biological, behavioral, environmental, sociocultural and structural factors that influence women’s health across the lifespan. 

Successful translational science studies focus on a specific clinical and translational research area aimed to develop or test a translational science-directed hypothesis that addresses a barrier to progression of turning observations in the laboratory, clinic and community into interventions that improve the health of people more quickly. 

By applying one or more translational science principals, a translational science-directed hypothesis should generate a scientific, operational, financial or administrative innovation that addresses longstanding challenges along the translational research pipeline, transforming the way that research is done, making it faster, more efficient and more impactful.  

Access the 2025 CTSI Translational Science Pilot Award RFA
Access the 2025 CTSI Translational Science Pilot Award Application Form

Research Funding Programs

Research Funding Programs

Supporting transformative, innovative, interdisciplinary translational research that seeks to advance team science, implementation science, inter-institutional partnerships and/or community partnerships through funding, administration, research core services and more.

Awarded Pilot Grant Spotlights

Mohamed Ridha, MD

Advanced Retinal Imaging in Hypertensive Cerebral Microangiopathy. Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, Department Neurology

portrait of Mohamed Ridha wearing a white shirt and glasses

Jingzhen “Ginger” Yang, PhD, MPH

Using Simulator-based Approaches to Train Bioptic Drivers: A Pilot Study. Professor of Pediatrics, Center for Injury Research and Policy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

portrait of Jingzhen “Ginger” Yang in a white shirt

Manjula Karpurapu, PhD

Delivering specialized pro-resolution lipid mediators via extracellular vesicles. Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine

portrait of Manjula Karpurapu wearing a blue sweater and glasses

Current Programs

Pilots are awarded one year of funding up to $35K. Check back periodically for new pilots.

Clinical and Translational Science Research Program

Clinical and Translational Science (CTS) Research Program is based on a new framework, Data Parity, designed purposefully to address significant roadblocks in CTS, emphasizing timely, effective and broadly applicable translation to improve health for all. 

Clinical and Translational Science Pilot Program (CTSP)

The Ohio State University CTSI annual CTSP Award aims to support highly meritorious translation research that explores a translational science-directed hypothesis for the development of preliminary data to enable researchers to be competitive in applying for extramural funding.

CTSI Scarlet Canvas Courses

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CTSI Scarlet Canvas Courses

On-demand, micro-learning clinical research courses available for CE credits.

The CTSI has developed on-demand, micro-learning clinical research courses that support competency-based learning in clinical research mapped to the eight competency domains of the Joint Task Force for Clinical Research Competencies. These courses have been developed for professional development in clinical research careers, for current Ohio State and Nationwide Children’s Hospital clinical research professionals and early career investigators. Each course follows ADA accessibility standards.

The available courses provide fundamental knowledge about clinical research and how to apply that knowledge in a clinical research environment. After successfully completing each course, you will receive a continuing education certificate. 

These courses are available on ScarletCanvas by searching CTSI.

Available Courses

  • The Clinical Trial Protocol
  • Defining Clinical Research
  • Consenting Vulnerable Populations
  • Team Science and Quality in Informed Consent
  • Investigational Product Approvals
  • Historical Influences on Informed Consent
  • Ethical Approval of Clinical Research
  • Elements of Informed Conset
Access the CTSI Scarlet Canvas

Courses Coming Soon

  • Project Management for Clinical Research I
  • Project Management for Clinical Research II
  • Academy of Clinical Reviewers (ACR) Grant Review Course

Contact Us

Jessica Fritter

DHSc, MACPR, ACRP-CP

Email

fritter.5@osu.edu

Jessica Fritter

External Trainings

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External Trainings

Available trainings for CRPs outside of Ohio State.

DIAMOND Platform

The DIAMOND Platform (Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research) was designed to provide a vehicle for CTSA-funded institutions to share clinical research trainings.  These trainings or contact links are uploaded and mapped to the Joint Task Force Competency Framework and learner levels. Learners can search courses by domain or topic. Users can also upload courses.

eMPACT Platform

The eMPACT Platform (Georgia CTSA) offers a pre-learning assessment that offers suggested courses for CRPs.

CRP Degree Programs

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CRP Degree Programs

The Ohio State University offers multiple undergraduate, certificate and masters programs in clinical research.

Undergraduate

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Clinical Trials Sciences Certificate (13 Credit hrs)

This program offers current undergraduate students’ opportunities to graduate with a clinical research certificate, a credential that may enhance employment in the clinical research enterprise.

Upon completion of this certificate, students will be prepared to:

  • Systematically apply understanding of regulations, bioethics, design and launch of clinical trials of investigational products.
  • Apply data and project management to support quality improvement and monitor clinical trials activities.

Post-BS/Post-Master's Certificate

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Clinical Research Management Certificate (12 Credit hrs)

This online graduate-level Clinical Research Management certificate will provide you with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills in human subjects’ research regulations, conduct, management and leadership and meets the internationally recognized Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency framework. The courses are offered 100% online and asynchronously.

Graduate

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Master of Clinical Research (36 credit hrs)

The Master of Clinical Research is an interdisciplinary graduate degree program offered 100% online. The program was recently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The curriculum is mapped to the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency offering specializations in Clinical Research Management and Regulatory Affairs. 

two female graduate researchers testing fluid in a tube

Master of Science Translational Pharmacology (30 credit hrs)

This multidisciplinary online curriculum is designed for recent graduates and professionals interested in a career in clinical and translational pharmacology, specializing in clinical trial design or preclinical toxicology and safety pharmacology studies. Choose from one of two specializations: Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology or Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Trial Design

For more information on the GIS in Biomedical Clinical Translational Science Specialization contact Stuart Hobbs.

CITI Training

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CITI Training

Ohio State requires all faculty, staff, trainees and students eligible to conduct research to be trained in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) through the online Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) RCR course every four years.  Depending on the grant type or funding, additional courses may be required.

Beginning in 2024, in alignment with federal requirements and the university’s shared values, this course must be completed every four years within 60 days of assignment and is required of:

  • all those eligible to conduct research, including faculty, staff, trainees and students, regardless of funding source
  • all those who have completed some form of RCR training but not the CITI RCR course

Required CITI training for CRPs at Ohio State includes:  Human Subject Protection (HSP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).

Access Trainings for The Ohio State University

Additional CITI training is also available for you through the Ohio State CITI:

  • Social and Behavioral GCP Training
  • CRC Foundations Course
  • CRC Advanced Course
  • Clinicaltrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results Summary Disclosure 

Login to CITI using Single Sign On (SSO) to access these courses.

Local Ohio State Departments may have additional training requirements based on your role.

Certification Exams (ACRP, SoCRA)

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Certification Exams (ACRP, SoCRA)

Membership and obtaining professional certification demonstrate knowledge and competency in performing the varied duties of a Clinical Research Professional and can have positive effects on your role progression.

CRPs have multiple opportunities for certification from several organizations: the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), Society for Clinical Research Professional (SOCRA), International Society of Clinical Research Nurses (IACRN) and Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS). 

For more information on certification opportunities, please visit:

ACRP Ohio Chapter logo
ACRP Clinical Research Coordinator Certification (CCRC, CCRA, ACRP-CP)
SOCRA for Clinical Research Excellence logo
SOCRA Clinical Research Professionals Certification (CCRP)
Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) logo
RAPS Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC)
International Association of Clinical Research Nurses (IACRN) logo
International Association of Clinical Research Nurses (CRN-BC)

CTSI Certification Preparation Webinars

SoCRA – The CTSI schedules on-site examinations twice a year in early spring and autumn. Prior to each scheduled exam there will be three scheduled practice sessions.

ACRP – Certification exams are scheduled by the individual in either the spring or autumn, however there are some discounts for specific dates if you register early.
 

Certification Experience Requirements

Generally, certification requires two years of clinical research experience. Students who graduate from the Master of Clinical Research (MCR) or MS Translational Pharmacology programs are eligible to sit for ACRP and SoCRA basic certifications with one-year post graduation clinical research experience and for higher level ACRP and RAPS certifications after a requisite time period working in the field. 

Certification Maintenance

Once obtained, certification must be maintained every two (ACRP) or three (SoCRA) years through the acquisition of continuing education (CEs). The CTSI offers various opportunities to acquire CEs through their CRPTS series, as well as other learning opportunities throughout the year and are listed on the CTSI Calendar and CRP Newsletters.

Contact Karen Carter to request additional information:

Karen Carter

Associate Director Education

Education and Training

Email

karenk.carter@osumc.edu

Phone

614-366-3887

Karen Carter headshot

Clinical Research Professionals Training Series

Student studying in Ohio Union

Clinical Research Professionals Training Series

Monthly webinars to increase your clinical research knowledge.

The work of clinical research requires a fully trained and educated team, including clinical research professionals (CRPs). Such preparation ensures that we are all conducting clinical research studies with efficiency, safety, reliability and compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), regulations and policies. CRPs are defined as those non-faculty staff who work in roles that operationalize clinical research, such as (but not limited to) clinical research assistants, clinical research coordinators, clinical research nurses and roles in data management, regulatory affairs and project management.

The Clinical Research Professional Training Series (CRPTS) is a monthly webinar held on the second Friday of the month from 9 - 10 a.m. EST via Zoom. Each month speakers will present topics of interest that are mapped to the Joint Task Force (JTF) for Harmonized Clinical Research Core Competencies and ICH E6 (R2). Attendees can earn 1.0 hr ACRP or SoCRA Continuing Education points and establish valuable peer connections across Ohio State and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 

To get on the listserv for CRPTS offerings, contact Karen Carter.

In 2025 we will have the following topics and speakers:

March 14, 2025: Gene Therapy with Andrea Davis 

We will explore the exciting field of Gene Therapy from a surgical standpoint. And highlight exciting new therapies emerging at Ohio State. 

April 11, 2025: Bioethics in Research with Sarah Stenger

We will discuss the importance of ethics in research and how they prevent the atrocities of the past. We will also discuss how ethics affect the use of digital technologies and data science. 

June 13, 2025: Implementing a Statewide Research Project with Grace Maynard-Wentzel

Join us to learn about SOAR (State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience) a new state-wide research study that will examine the risks that may lead to persistent distress, mental illness, substance use disorders, overdose or suicide.              

July 11, 2025: Study and Site Management with Jessica Fritter and Amy Bartlett

Proper study oversight and proper management are essential in Human Subject research studies to ensure subject safety and quality outcomes. We will discuss best practices in our ever-changing landscape. 

August 8, 2025: Data Management and Informatics with Amanda Tan, NIAID

TBD

Note: We will not have a CRPTS webinar in May 2025, due to our FDA Symposium. 

Registration for CRPTS trainings

Independent Quality Checks/Audits

Independent Quality Checks/Audits

Review of study conduct early in the research process.

Independent Quality Checks/Audits Support we provide: 

  • Review of Regulatory Documents
  • Review of Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria and Consent Documentation of all study participants
  • Source verification for up to two study participants
  • Full Quality Audit for Audit Preparation

Independent Quality Checks/Audits allow for review of study conduct early in the research process. This allows for direct constructive feedback, recommendations and training for the remaining study conduct.  

Independent Quality Checks/Audits may also be completed towards the end of the study for a more extensive look at the study conduct, to prepare for an FDA inspection or sponsor audit. 

Schedule a Quality Checks/Audits

When is an Independent Quality Check/Audit Needed?

Independent Quality Checks/Audits are suggested for newer researchers who are conducting their first research study. This allows a researcher to gain valuable insight on how their study is progressing.  

Independent Quality Checks/Audits may also be requested by the study PI to evaluate the study conduct and prepare for an FDA inspection or sponsor audit. This request should be scheduled well in advance of a notice of inspection/audit.

Independent Quality Checks/Audits may be completed for clinical research studies funded through the NCATS UM1 awards. 

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