ADMINISTRATION & OPERATIONS

CTSI Communications provides assistance and guidance with publicizing events, news and announcements. Please see the table below for publicity options, deadlines and contacts.

The CTSI Finance team coordinates all aspects of pre- and post- award management of the CTSA, including administration of pilot and core voucher awards. The team works closely with the UCLA Office of Research Administration including the Office of Contracts and Grants Administration (OCGA), Extramural Fund Management (EFM), and Research Policy & Compliance (RPC). Our team acts as the point of contact with NIH for all fiscal matters pertaining to the CTSI grant awards.

The Grants Submission Unit (GSU) supports the grant application process, with particular emphasis on large and complex grants. Tools and services may include provision of grant writing outlines and detailed checklists of required components, project management and multi-site coordination, review and editing of grant narrative for consistency, clarity and responsiveness to the FOA.

In the cases of large proposals that advance the goals of CTSI, GSU provides hands-on management of the grant-writing process, including collecting biosketches, drafting and soliciting letters of support, and compiling resources and other boilerplate text.

The CTSI Evaluation Unit provides the evidence base for accelerating innovation and continuously improving operational effectiveness and efficiency of the CTSI. It collects and analyzes relevant data and provides transparent, timely evaluation to increase accountability. To perform these tasks, the CTSI uses a variety of data collection instruments and tools, including:

• Longitudinal Scientific Achievement Survey, (modeled after Rockefeller University’s Graduate Tracking Survey System) a survey administered every 18 months, collects information on publications, extramural awards, intellectual property, team science, and community collaborations. The LSAS queries investigators who have received intensive CTSI support, defined as CTSI pilot or voucher funding and a KL2 or career development training. The Evaluation Unit ensures data quality, validity, reliability and completeness in each successive cohort of investigators surveyed. Results are reported to CTSI leadership and inform NCATS Common Metrics. LSAS data also includes:
• EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion). In the Wave 6 (2020-21) survey we included a comprehensive series on investigator academic background and sociodemographic characteristics that can be used to assess trends in EDI.  
• COVID-19. The LSAS collects information on NCATS special research areas including COVID-19. 
• Engagement with Partners and Other Schools. The LSAS collects data from all investigators on Hub partner sites, primary academic department and school (medicine, nursing, public health, etc.) to examine trends in engagement. 
• Collaborations. Additionally, LSAS collects longitudinal data on the number and type of collaborations that led to a new grant award, reported by the most productive CTSI researchers. The LSAS measures collaborations reported among hub partners, Los Angeles County Public Health Agencies, UC BRAID, other CTSA hubs, etc.
• Collaboration with NIH funded centers. LSAS collects information from investigators on the number and type of NIH centers our investigators are affiliated with. Often the CTSI voucher funding is used to supplement NIH Center awards and used to propose novel research that extends NIH funding.  
• Master Database (MDB) - each year, Evaluation aggregates systematic information on investigators and support/services rendered since the inception of the CTSI. Continuously updated, the data are used for institute-level reporting. These metrics measure resource use, service satisfaction, productivity, and adherence to program timelines and milestones, and health impact. Results are reported to CTSI leadership and inform NCATS Common Metrics.

In addition to Program Area tracking of Services, Evaluation uses the LSAS to track services and to obtain more in-depth information from investigators, e.g., FDA consultations. 

Evaluation also provides the CTSI community with the below services. Contact CTSIEvaluationProgram@mednet.ucla.edu to learn more or visit our Consults & Advice page to submit a request for services.

• Develop new research organization design leveraging CTSI infrastructure to strengthen applications
• Collaborate with PI and team to develop evaluation design, improvement plans, and metrics
• Provide evaluation consultations to internal and external partners
• Assist with design and deployment of survey instruments, data processing, analysis, and reporting
• Measure and monitor scientific productivity and impact