Health Research Core

Health Research Core Project Summary / Abstract. The long-term goal of the Health Research (HR) Core of the Montana Clinical and Translational Research Center (Montana CTRC) is to develop and support sustainable clinical and translational (C&T) research within Montana. To achieve this goal, we will establish novel C&T research collaborations between academic researchers at the University of Montana and partnering clinical and public health organizations. In conjunction with the other Montana CTRC Cores, we will achieve our objective by first establishing C&T research partnerships and build research capacity for C&T research in Montana. The HR Core will lead a collaborative planning process with our eight C&T research Partner Organizations (1) Providence, 2) Logan Health, 3) Billings Clinic, 4) Shodair Children’s Hospital, 5) Rocky Vista University, Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine, 6) Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, 7) Missoula Public Health, and 8) All Nations Health Center). Then, Memoranda of Understanding will be established with each Partner Organization to document shared objectives and joint activities for advancing C&T research. We will also recruit for and administer a Pilot and Developmental Research Awards program to fund novel and high-quality C&T research proposals (Aim 2). Annually, the HR Core will organize an external reviewer panel to review and score applications, and the Administrative Core, with input from the External Advisory Committee, will make award decisions. Finally, the HR Core will provide ongoing support for both funded and unfunded researchers, including mentorship toward developing successful extramural applications (Aim 3). The results of the HR Core efforts will be a cohort of supported and trained C&T researchers who will be successful in pursuing extramural funding. Working in conjunction with other Montana CTRC Cores, the efforts of the HR Core will contribute to the larger effort of building C&T research capacity in this region of the country, which will yield health benefits for Montana’s rural population and beyond.