Education and Training
The CRSP is designed to meet the individual needs of each scholar while ensuring that all scholars master a core set of skills that are essential for a career in multidisciplinary clinical research.
Through the Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE), the CRSP directors and Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee (MAC) developed a core didactic program that is taught by multidisciplinary faculty members and provides excellent training in a diverse set of fundamental skills for clinical research. The MAC reviews each scholar's previous training and, where appropriate, allows for the substitution of advanced courses or the inclusion of courses in additional areas to strengthen the scholar's training.
With the help of MAC members, mentors, and the program director, each scholar develops an individualized advanced training plan. Additional training involves pursuing advanced clinical research methodology, instruction in responsible conduct of research, taking basic science courses if the scholar is interested in translational research, and taking courses in other disciplines that are critical to the scholar's research endeavors and future concentration.
Scholars attend biweekly MAC meetings in which they present their research and discuss a variety of topics, including the responsible conduct of research, project management, and grant funding. In addition, workshops on specific topics are presented to the scholars to help them with their career development.
Scholars also attend a series of seminars on leadership, team building, and innovation. The seminars focus on cross-functional team building and team problem solving; successfully completing work efforts within the constraints of time, cost, and quality; and managing innovation.
A writing group for scholars is offered to help them refine their skills in writing manuscripts and grant proposals. The scholars meet regularly with their group to review and critique each other's work. Biostatisticians and epidemiologists are also available to review manuscripts and proposals.
The CRSP scholars can request a mock review session for any grant application that they plan to submit for external funding. The mock review process provides the scholars with objective critiques from several senior-level faculty who have NIH review experience. The goals of the process are to help the scholars refine their grant-writing skills.
