Novel Team‐Based Approaches to Advance Academic Translational Research

The Academic Health Center (AHC) at the University of Minnesota (UMN) has multiple internal, peer-reviewed grant programs that support biomedical research. Our programs have several themes including preferential support for early career faculty, support of novel ideas that have not matured to the point of being competitive for federal funding, and bridge grants to support faculty who are experiencing a temporary lapse in federal funding. Many of the funded projects are conducting translational research that aspires to have an impact on human health. This research often culminates in publications and new NIH grant submissions. However, it frequently loses momentum in the quest to develop new diagnostic products and therapies, due to the absence of a process and a paucity of institutional resources that can facilitate the evolution of successful translational research to a practical impact on human health [1–2]. Facilitating translational research into outcomes that have an impact on human health can be hindered in research environments that still emphasize independent investigative achievement and autonomy. There can also be a general lack of understanding regarding the challenges and best practices necessary to achieve success. Many faculty do not have the expertise necessary to understand the business, regulatory, and intellectual property issues that must be successfully navigated in order to maximize the potential for their research to move past translational discovery and into practical application [3–4]. In an effort to overcome these challenges, the UMN CTSA has created the Office of Discovery and Translation (ODAT) to develop unique approaches that provide translationally-focused support through funding programs and project teams.