Clinical Translational Science Awards: Opportunities and Challenges

content and educational programs supported by the categorical Institutes of the NIH. Return on this major public investment will be realized only if the infrastructure is used to conduct specific studies and training programs that are developed by investigators receiving support from the categorical Institutes. Mechanisms must be established to ensure that this happens. For example, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is identifying proposed multicenter clinical trials that might utilize the CTSA infrastructure. The National Cancer Institute is working to avoid duplication of investment at institutions that have both a Comprehensive Cancer Center and a CTSA, and merging redundant clinical research resources. Extensive ongoing communications between the CTSA institutions and the NIH Institutes will be required. The CTSAs must be structured to facilitate access to ■ ■