Project Summary/Abstract
The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) catalyzes clinical and translational research
(CTR) and advances clinical and translational science (CTS) at the University of Michigan (U-M), throughout
the state of Michigan, and nationally. We have transformed CTR at U-M and have been a collaborative partner
with university units, Michigan communities, and the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA)
Consortium. In the next seven years, MICHR will achieve greater innovation, diversity, efficiency, equity,
quality, inclusion, and reach in CTR and develop, demonstrate, and disseminate generalizable CTS
innovations. This vision comprises five strategic goals: 1) Expand the diversity of voices driving the strategic
direction of CTR and CTS. With our community partners, we will co-develop strategies to elevate diverse
voices in CTS leadership. The Michigan Community Equity Review Board will ensure integration of community
voice and culture in research throughout the state. The Patients as Partners Program will engage patients in
study development and mentoring. 2) Extend CTR to the state and increase engagement with national CTR
through CTS innovations. We will increase access to research by developing CTR capacity statewide. The M-
REACH platform will facilitate community-academic connections. The Network Connector will connect study
teams, national networks, and university partners. 3) Engage new groups in CTR and CTS through new
pathways and supports. We will support the CTR workforce statewide through new trainings, mentoring
programs, apprenticeships, and communities of practice. We will develop research training programs tailored
to clinical practice-focused physicians. Study teams will include community members and patients and be
supported by team science initiatives and pilot grant funding. 4) Extend translation through dissemination and
implementation science and application. The Dissemination & Implementation Catalyst will advance the
science and application of dissemination and implementation for CTR and CTS. With our community partners,
we will co-develop tools for effective academic-community research partnerships during a public health
emergency. We will enable rapid translation of ideas into actionable solutions through human-centered design.
5) Extend MICHR services to advance innovation, quality, and efficiency of diverse types of CTR. We will help
academics and community members develop skills in the science of community-engaged research. We will
develop training programs and tools as well as extend and adapt our services to ensure rigor and efficiency of
health-related behavioral and social science research. We will add new features to our electronic medical
record search engine and our participant recruitment platform to increase inclusivity. We will determine cost-
effectiveness and effect on clinical trial performance of strategies for improving protocol quality. In summary,
MICHR is poised to enter its third decade of advancing CTR and CTS throughout Michigan and the nation.