Clinical and Translational Science

Clinical and translational science grew out of a vision to improve the public’s health and healthcare delivery by accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries at the research bench into widespread practice and finally into policy. Translational science calls for an interinstitutional, multidisciplinary approach that also engages and involves the community. Translational research becomes, therefore, a nexus, a series of rapid connections within and between researchers, practitioners, patients, community members, and policymakers alike, all with the common goal of speeding up the research process.

The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) formalized this vision in 2006 through the funding of clinical and translational science centers, departments, and institutes located in academic institutions. The Tufts CTSI is funded by NCRR as part of that national consortium for clinical and translational science.