Overview

In response to the urgent need for sample processing (relating to, or pre-dating, COVID-19), the Tufts Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) Voucher Program offers a new, expedited process called CTRC Sample Processing During COVID-19 to support sample processing for federal and other non-profit studies on a case-by-case basis. Our goal is to serve as many projects as possible in need of sample processing due to disruptions caused by COVID-19.

Other Tufts CTSI funding opportunities and voucher programs can be found here.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants include clinical, health services, and basic science investigators working in different areas of clinical research. Applications must:

  • Designate a Principal Investigator with a primary position or faculty appointment at Tufts Medical Center or Tufts University.
  • Have institutional and IRB approval for their study.
  • Be actively recruiting participants for study visits including a human source material (blood, serum, urine, etc.) sample processing component.

How Do I Apply?

Applications for CTRC Sample Processing During COVID-19 will be accepted for competitive review on a rolling basis.

Completed applications and any accompanying materials must be submitted online via REDCap. The application consists of fields to complete online and documents to upload.

Access the REDCap application here.

What Happens After I Submit a Request?

A representative from the Tufts CTRC will review your application materials and contact you for follow-up questions if needed.

All applicants should expect a response within five business days.

If your request is approved for CTRC Sample Processing During COVID-19, Tufts CTSI will provide a voucher based on CTRC staffing and resources required to support your study needs.

Final Reports and Long-term Outcomes Tracking

CTRC Sample Processing During COVID-19 voucher recipients will be required to submit a final summary report on the project, due to Tufts CTSI within 90 days of study completion based on the project deliverables timeline.

In addition, they will be required to report study outcomes annually using an online tool for at least five years after the voucher support ends. Outcomes to be reported will include professional presentations, published manuscripts, subsequent funding applications and awards, research products and associated intellectual property protections, and activities to implement findings into clinical care or public health.

Citation Requirements

All publications, projects, posters, patents, trademarks, or other tangible outcomes resulting from Tufts CTSI funding and services must cite Tufts CTSI and comply with the NIH Public Access Policy.

Guidelines for citations are available here.

All publications resulting from the research supported by this grant must be submitted via the NIH Manuscript Submission System and assigned a PubMed Central (PMC) identifier.

Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure

All applications and study data will be deemed proprietary and confidential and will be protected against any unauthorized use and any unauthorized or uncontrolled disclosure beyond Tufts CTSI.

About the CTRC

The CTRC provides investigators with the infrastructure to conduct a wide range of state-of-the-art clinical studies and trials in neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric research participants.

The Center also offers resources to facilitate clinical research for studying the causes and progression of human disease and for translation of biomedical research to prevent, treat, or cure disease. It is led by experienced clinicians and is staffed by specialized clinical research nurses, research assistants, and research study coordinators qualified to provide support for every aspect of a clinical study and trial.

CTRC services are available to research teams across Tufts CTSI partner and collaborator institutions, but must include an investigator with a primary position or faculty appointment at Tufts Medical Center or Tufts University and a research protocol approved by the Tufts IRB. They may access CTRC’s resources and services at in- and out-patient facilities at Tufts Medical Center and across its affiliate locations of care.

CTRC’s services include, but are not limited to, protocol design, regulatory and coordinating services, patient recruitment, subject randomization, data collection, routine and specialized nursing, sample collection and processing, medical administration, and patient follow-up.

About the CTRC Voucher Program

The CTRC is committed to accelerating and facilitating implementation of clinical studies and trials by providing support across the full patient lifespan and ensuring a positive experience for everyone involved. Its services range from initial clinical, epidemiologic, and scientific consultations to complete support required throughout all key stages of clinical study or trial implementation.

Launched in 2018, the CTRC Voucher Program offers vouchers for in-kind services for up to $5,000 to support a range of seed human subjects projects that require modest assistance in order to complete a study or generate enough preliminary data to support a proposal for a larger, more definitive study. The program is designed to benefit new and established investigators and research teams with limited research funds.

Questions?

Need further assistance? We are here to help. Please contact us at voucher@tuftsctsi.org.