Program seeks Council approval for an initiative titled: “NationalCenters for Translational Research in Reproduction and Infertility” or“NCTRI”. Infertility impacts approximately two million US couples, accounting for roughly nine percent of the couples of reproductive ages, with many of the causes being idiopathic. The problems associated within fertility remain prevalent in society and are tremendous burdens, both financially and emotionally, on couples. Overall, these centers serve as national research hubs, forming a network of translational research centers emphasizing high quality research in normal male and female reproduction and infertility. Additionally, the scientific questions being queried go beyond the scope and resources appropriate for traditional, investigator-initiated mechanisms. Finally, center investigators develop and participate in community outreach and education efforts to increase awareness and convey the importance and implications of their research activities to the general public.
The objectives of these centers are to support such research for facilitating bidirectional transfer of knowledge between the laboratory and clinic with the goal of improving human reproductive health. The centers also serve as national resources for the training and career development of new scientists interested in pursuing careers in these scientific areas. Finally, center investigators develop community outreach and education efforts.
This proposed concept aligns with the NICHD Strategic Plan 2020, Theme 2 (“Promoting Gynecologic, Andrologic, and Reproductive Health”), the goal of which is to “enable women and men to manage fertility and minimize the impact of gynecologic and andrologic conditions in support of lifelong reproductivehealth”. The concept also aligns with the branch priorities FIB, including 1) “Early Pregnancy Loss and Predictors of Pregnancy Outcome”, 2) “’Omics approaches to Investigate Infertility Pathogenesis”, and 3) “Nutrition, Metabolism, and Circadian Rhythm, and Reproduction”. Additionally, this initiative is in alignment with the Congressional mandate to fund clinical research centers investigating male and female infertility.
We have strong evidence to support the NCTRI program is an efficient use of NICHD resources, both scientifically and financially. An independent, impartial analysis showed that the NCTRI program consistently outperformed comparable R01s on every scientific metric that was analyzed:
- Impact on the scientific field
- Papers published citing NCTRI funding are, on average, cited more often than papers from comparable R01s
- An analysis of the content of NCTRI publications, shows “a strong shift from basic totranslational research over time,” demonstrating the goals of the NCTRI program are being achieved.
- As a demonstration of NCTRI’s emphasis on clinical research, three of the top 10 journals publishing NCTRI-supported investigations were clinical journals.
- Productsgenerated
- The NCTRI program has resulted in more publications per project per year than the reference group.
- NCTRI recipients have a higher number of patents per grant and a higher number of publications cited by patents than recipients of comparable R01 grantees
- Changes inclinical practices
- Despite not being a clinical program, NCTRI has been cited in practice and physician support guidelines at a higher rate than comparable R01s in the field.
In addition, the data from the analysis indicated that the NCTRI program has resulted in an excellent financial return on investment:
- The average cost per publication for NCTRI awardees is lower than for those from other R01s in the field.
- The average cost per high impact publication for NCTRI awardees is lower than those from other R01s in the field.
- The average cost per patent citation is lower than those from other R01s in the field.
- The average cost per citation in a clinical guideline is lower than those from other R01s in the field (despite not being a clinically focused initiative)
Program Contact
Travis Kent
Fertility & Infertility Branch (FI)
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