Funding, Training & More from ITHS
No images? Click here
YOUR RESEARCH CONNECTOR
JULY 2025
USE THE ITHS PILOT PROGRAM TO ACCELERATE YOUR RESEARCH
Looking to fund an early stage product development, community engagement, or an interdisciplinary research project? The ITHS Pilot Program is now accepting applications for three exciting funding opportunities designed to accelerate your translational biomedical research.
Letter of Intent Deadline: September 12, 2025
- Early-Stage Product Development Award: Up to $100k to support clinically relevant research discoveries towards commercial products that improve human health.
- Academic Community Partnerships Award: Up to $50k to jump-start partnerships between academic and community investigators in new community-based health projects.
- New Interdisciplinary Academic Partnerships Award: Up to $50k to facilitate new partnerships between academic investigators who have not previously received joint research funding.
SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PILOT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ITHS RECRUITMENT SUPPORT SERVICE CAN HELP RESEARCHERS MEET DCTI GOALS
The Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS) has new Recruitment Support Services for researchers with studies subject to the new DCTI policy. This free service provides consultations to help with recruitment and retention planning, aimed at meeting goals related to the new policy. Services include assistance with study design, budget development, input on recruitment materials, and connections to other resources. Researchers and their teams are encouraged to contact the ITHS Recruitment Support Service early and preferably in the proposal or grant development phase to discuss and develop recruitment strategies.
Researchers who are interested in the consult service should contact ITHS: recruitmentsupport@uw.edu.
GENE AND CELL THERAPY LAB UPDATE
The Gene and Cell Therapy Lab will be closed for the next several months for needed repairs. Look for another announcement as soon as the renovations are complete. Staff remain ready for consultation and planning for new projects in 2026.
CHANGES AHEAD FOR ITHS & ISP
The Institute of Translational Health Sciences is announcing the end of a long-term program: Integrating Special Populations (ISP). While we are sad to see the program close, we want to acknowledge the important contributions of everyone who has supported ISP over the last several years and express our appreciation for the excellent work the ISP team has produced.
ITHS SPRING EVENT RECAP
Enhancing the Clinical Research Experience: NED 2025
In April, ITHS welcomed research professionals from across the WWAMI region to the annual ITHS NED (Networking to Enhance Development) Conference. Hosted at the UW Medicine South Lake Union Campus, the 2025 NED Conference offered a full day of learning, networking, and professional growth. In collaboration with the University of Washington, Fred Hutch, and Seattle Children’s, this year’s event centered on the theme of Enhancing the Clinical Research Experience. Read more here >>
Highlights from Expo 2025: ITHS Symposium and Poster Session
The ITHS EXPO and Symposium, held in May at the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture, showcased the innovative research of our scholars and investigators from across the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) region. Read more here >>
UPCOMING EVENTS
ITHS CRES EVENT
HARNESSING AI IN CLINICAL RESEARCH: INNOVATIONS, CHALLENGES, AND THE ROAD AHEAD
Sept 19, 2025, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm PDT
Online Event
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing clinical research, reshaping how trials are designed, conducted, and analyzed. This presentation will explore innovations AI brings to clinical research, from streamlining data collection to optimizing patient recruitment and trial efficiency. We will examine real-world applications, critically assess data from recent studies, and discuss the challenges AI presents, including ethical concerns, biases, and regulatory hurdles.
ORGANIZATION OF REGULATORY AND CLINICAL ASSOCIATES (ORCA) 2025 BANQUET
Sept 5, 2025, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
UW Center for Urban Horticulture
Join the members of the ORCA community for an evening of networking, keynote speech, award presentations and a delicious catered buffet dinner. This gathering provides an opportunity to connect with local professionals in the regulatory and clinical trials fields. The keynote speech will be delivered by Dr. Jessica Weatherstone, Associate Director of Research & Community Engagement at Kabuki Syndrome Foundation.
Tickets are available:
- Jul. 14 - Aug. 21st: ORCA members, $35; Non-members, $40
- Aug. 22 - Sept. 3: ORCA members, $40; Non-members, $45
2025 WPRN ANNUAL CONFERENCE CANCELED
The 2025 WPRN Annual Conference has been canceled. Stay tuned for additional updates about both virtual and in-person engagement opportunities in the coming year.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
EXPAND YOUR CLINICAL RESEARCH SKILLS WITH THE COBALT CURRICULUM
With a mix of recorded presentations and interactive e-modules, COBALT provides engaging, accessible learning opportunities that fit into busy professional schedules. NEW OFFERING: COBALT trainings help new and experienced clinical research coordinators enhance their expertise through a flexible, customizable training experience. It covers a broad range of essential topics, from regulatory compliance to study management, and is aligned with the eight core competency domains established by the Joint Task Force (JTF).
ITHS REDCap TRAINING CLASSES
Every Tuesday @ ONLINE WEBINAR!
11:00am-12:00pm PDT
ITHS also offers weekly classes on Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap), a rapidly evolving web tool developed by researchers for researchers in the translational domain. Whether you need to learn the basics or you're ready to take on advanced projects, we have a class that will help you move your research forward. Learn more & register>>
ITHS CDS & CRES SEMINARS AVAILABLE ONLINE
If you missed any of our Career Development Series (CDS) or Clinical Education Research Series (CRES) seminars, you can watch the recordings online.
TOOLS & RESOURCES
A New Way to Track Progress
ITHS has adopted a new program called Flight Tracker that allows us to watch the career progress of ITHS trainees and scholars after they've moved on from our programs. ITHS has worked with the REDCap team to create a server for this program that we are offering for free to anyone with a UW NetID who is following a cohort of people on a long-term. Questions? Reach out to our ITHS Director of Evaluation, Corey Snelson (cdsnels@uw.edu).
Leaf: A Powerful Way to Query Clinical Data
Do you know about this powerful tool? Leaf helps query clinical databases of nearly any data model for cohort estimation and data extraction, and it seamlessly integrates with clinical databases and existing enterprise authentication systems to unleash the potential of translational biomedical research.
To get to know Leaf better, check out office hours every other week and learn to demo, troubleshoot, and assist with query building in Leaf.
If you're interested, please reach out to rlong07@uw.edu for more information.
Connect with Community Advisors Using this ITHS Program
The ITHS Preclinical Engagement Program (PEP) is a new, free program which uses community engagement principles to match preclinical researchers with community members to serve as advisors on their studies.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
ITHS CATALYST & VOUCHER AWARDS
Do you need to complete a health science project? Are you trying to collect pilot data for a larger grant application? Apply for the ITHS Catalyst and Voucher awards! Designed especially for early career investigators, Catalyst Awards offer just-in-time funds and Voucher Awards offer in-kind service vouchers to help you get your translational science projects finished.
The next deadline to apply for these awards is October 7, 2025.
WASHINGTON RESEARCH FOUNDATION STUDENT PROGRAM FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Supporting students in Washington state to access STEM research opportunities and engage in entrepreneurship
Washington Research Foundation (WRF) seeks to expand its support of student programs by launching an opportunity for nonprofit colleges and universities located in Washington state to apply for funding for new or existing student programs related to STEM research and entrepreneurship.
More student funding>>
WASHINGTON RESEARCH FOUNDATION TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION
Researchers and entrepreneurs at Washington state institutions have the potential to conduct translational research that eventually leads to the creation of novel products and services that can improve health and advance technology. However, before technologies are ready for commercial investment, they often require further technical development, evaluation and de-risking within the research institution. WRF technology commercialization grants are intended to bridge part of this gap between discovery research and commercial investment in novel technologies.
WASHINGTON RESEARCH FOUNDATION START-UP INVESTMENTS
As a leading early-stage investor, WRF works with entrepreneurs, research institutions, other investors and industry partners to transform great ideas into successful Washington-based businesses. WRF has invested in 132 local startups since 1996.
In-State Focus: WRF Capital is the investment vehicle for Washington Research Foundation. We invest approximately $5 million annually in startup companies based in Washington, with a focus on spinouts from nonprofit research institutions in our state: UW, WSU, Fred Hutch and ISB, among many others. Since 1996 we have invested in 132 local startups.
ANNUAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES - KEEP CHECKING BACK
Montana State University faculty and researchers have access to a vast array of mechanisms to help support their research and creative activities. Resources include internal support and seed funding, along with assistance in identifying external sponsors consisting of federal agencies, state agencies, private foundations, and corporations. In addition, the Office of Research Development (ORD) assists faculty and staff in navigating sponsors’ guidelines, requirements, and submission processes.
Checkout GrantForward, their new grants database for MSU investigators
BRIDGE FUNDING PROGRAM
The Bridge Funding program provides funding to support faculty to span a temporary funding gap in critical research programs. Maximum of $50,000 may be applied for through the Provost. All funding requests must be matched 1:1 by the applicant’s college/school. Bridge Funding awards are prioritized to support on-going research programs that have lost funding.
Application Timeline: Fall
HOT NEW GRANTS
Check out the "Hot New Grants" for regular updates don’t forget to check out our main funding opportunities page too!
ARPA-H IS A GAME CHANGER- SEE HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) was founded to bridge the gap between discovery and public benefit by supercharging development though significant financial and management support.
Check out the various grant opportunities listed here.
RESEARCH HEADLINES
IMPLANT MAY HELP BRAIN REWIRE AFTER STROKE
Neurosurgeons at the University of Washington School of Medicine have implanted a device they hope will help stroke patients recover lost function by stimulating their brains to rewire.
In the News
- NIH to Prioritize Human-Based Research Technologies // NIH is adopting a new initiative to expand innovative, human-based science while reducing animal use in research.
- Navigating Trust: Building Ethical Autism Research with Real-World Data // In an era where real-world data platforms hold the transformative potential to illuminate the complexities of autism, the imperative of building trust and ethical integrity in research has never been more critical.
- Groundbreaking ovarian cancer research targets cells fueling tumor growth // Researchers at the University of Chicago discovered how to block nicotinamide N-methyl transferase (NNMT), an enzyme that is involved in the progression of high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
HOW ITHS CAN SUPPORT YOU
The Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS) moves research from one phase of the translational science spectrum to the next, and helps others to do the same. From bench to bedside: we take great ideas and help turn them into reality with the aim of improving health outcomes across the spectrum.
Learn how all of our programs work together to build the translational science engine.
Is your publication supported by ITHS?
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
ITHS Impact Stories
A heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Kari Stephens on her new role as Vice Chair of Research at the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine!
Stories, profiles, awards and more
Congrats to Isabella Jennings, ITHS TL1 Trainee, for Winning ACTS 3MT at Translational Science 2024!
CONNECT WITH ITHS
JOIN ITHS
Members gain access to ITHS research services, resources, tools, training, funding, and collaboration opportunities. Become an ITHS member today ›
GET THE NEWSLETTER
ITHS Research Connector is our monthly newsletter with upcoming events, Education & Training Program News, Funding News, and Research Services News. Sign up and stay connected to research news.
The Institute is supported by grants UL1 TR002319, KL2 TR002317, and TL1 TR002318 from the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences through the Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program (CTSA). Please help us continue to support your research by citing our grant number(s) in publications we supported.
PARTNERS
