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Explore clinical research resources

There is no specific order in which investigators consult with research support services. It is dependent on the type of study and investigator needs and experience.

Biostatistics and Research Design (BARD) Center
The BARD Center promotes excellence in the design and analysis of research studies, and provides biostatistical and methodological expertise, as well as scientific leadership, through collaborative relationships with Boston Children's Hospital investigators. Areas of statistical expertise include pre-clinical experiments, clinical trials, observational studies (retrospective and prospective), longitudinal studies, randomized studies, health economics and econometrics, survey research, qualitative research and high-dimensional functional neuroimaging research. 
Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research (ICCTR) The ICCTR at Boston Children’s is the central research support structure. The ICCTR promotes collaboration with clinical research methodologists and provides infrastructure for the conduct of clinical research at the hospital. The ICCTR staff is a consolidated group of research professionals who are knowledgeable and skilled in all aspects of clinical research, including biostatistics, database development and data management, study startup, study operations, regulatory support and education. ICCTR resources are organized around four centers and a number of supporting cores and services. The Centers include  Biostatistics and Research Design, Clinical Research Operations Center and the Translational Research Program. 
Clinical Research Informatics Team (CRIT)
Boston Children’s investigators and study teams can consult with CRIT about developing databases and any other clinical research informatics needs. CRIT has designed and developed a variety of informatics tools to address the growing needs of the Boston Children’s clinical research enterprise, including application software for creating randomization schemes, web-based clinical data management systems and online collaborative workspaces like SharePoint and Open Atrium. CRIT provides expertise in the use of InForm™, REDCap, and REDCap Cloud,  web-based electronic data capture and clinical data management systems. Request a consult with CRIT. 
Research Computing Research Computing’s Research Coding Shop developed a paperless consenting REDCap system for eConsenting and remote consenting. Also, Research Computing offers multiple platforms to securely store, compute or share data.  
Technology and Innovation Development Office (TIDO)
If investigators are planning a study involving their own intellectual property, they should consult with TIDO. TIDO works with investigators to translate research and clinical ideas into new therapies, diagnostics and devices through the protection and licensing of intellectual property. TIDO can also connect investigators with industry partners, when appropriate.
Harvard Catalyst
Harvard University’s Clinical and Translational Science Center serves the research community. It offers courses and educational programs, research consulting, tools for study design and clinical trial collaboration, guidance on regulatory issues, and pilot funding for novel, high-impact projects — all  freely available to trainees, fellows and faculty.

Complete investigator and study-team training

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) certification
Boston Children’s requires investigators and their study teams to complete the CITI Basic Biomedical Research for Investigators and Key Personnel course. CITI certification is required in order to work on clinical research at Boston Children's.
Education and Quality Improvement Program (EQuIP) All first-time investigators are required to have a one-time meeting with a staff member from the EQuIP office to review applicable regulations and policies required to ensure human subject protections and overall data integrity.
Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training

Investigators may need to complete GCP training in order to receive some grant awards. Completing any one of the following three courses will satisfy a requirement for GCP training:
Required training for first-time principal investigators of interventional trials
All first-time principal investigators of interventional trials (drugs, biologics or devices) will be required to complete training prior to release of their study by the IRB. As part of the IRB review process, any first-time principal investigator of an interventional trial will be notified that specific training needs to be completed. Training details are located in the policy document. For any questions, contact Erica Denhoff, ICCTR Clinical Research Education Program Manager.
Required training for first-time IND and IDE holders
All first-time IND and IDE holders will be required to complete training prior to release of their study by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). As part of the IRB review process, any first-time IND or IDE holder will be notified that specific training needs to be completed. Please note that physicians who have only held expanded access INDs for the treatment of an individual patient, under 21 CFR 312.310, are still considered to be first-time IND holders when holding an IND for a clinical trial. Training details are located in the policy document. For any questions, contact Erica Denhoff, ICCTR Clinical Research Education Program Manager.

Discover funding opportunities

Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
The Office of Sponsored Programs handles governmental, foundation and other non-profit funding arrangements. Grant officers are assigned to the research community by department and division. They serve as the primary points of contact for grant application review, award acceptance and administration, sponsor relations and inter-institutional administrative arrangements related to governmental, foundation and other non-profit sources of funding.
Translational Research Program (TRP) The mission of the Translational Research Program (TRP) at Boston Children's is to stimulate the development of non-clinical and human clinical trials that seek to improve the care of children, and to ensure adequate infrastructure to support non-clinical and clinical translational research projects. The TRP offers stimulative grants-in-aid awarded for projects containing novel ideas or applications, funding for multidisciplinary retreats to foster interactions across the spectrum of research and clinical activities as well as funding for the development of faculty and staff in translational research activities at Boston Children's.
Harvard Catalyst
The Harvard Catalyst offers pilot grants to Harvard investigators to support clinical and/or translational research that has the potential to impact human health.  Funding is available for research across all clinical and translational domains from basic science/preclinical studies to practice or population-based research.
IDEA Grant The IDEA Grant Program’s mission is to support novel clinical research conducted by staff within the Department of Nursing and Patient Care Services that improves the care of pediatric patients and families at Boston Children’s. 
Office of Faculty Development (OFD)
The OFD annually offers a faculty development grant for junior faculty that provides funding up to 100k over two years. 
Other sources of intramural funding Individual department/divisions within Boston Children’s may have sources of intramural funding for investigators within their individual department/division. Investigators should check with their division/department leadership to uncover these sources of funding.
Grants.Gov
Grants.gov is an easily searchable source of potential funding sources. A detailed synopsis of each funding sources is accessible within three clicks. The site offers advanced search features and provides access to the full announcement and application.

Conflicts of interest

Disclosing outside interests and activities 
Boston Children’s is committed to protecting the integrity of its research and faculty by ensuring that relationships with industry are free of perceived or actual conflicts of interest. Accordingly, investigators are required to disclose their outside interests and activities pursuant to Boston Children’s Conflict of Interest Policy.