Frequently Asked Questions
General:
Q: What is MICHR?
A: The Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) is committed to advancing clinical and translational research at the University of Michigan. Formerly known as CACR, MICHR provides direct research services to investigators. It also houses broader institutional initiatives to reduce barriers, develop new tools, and support educational programs.
Q: How can MICHR support my research?
A: MICHR offers numerous services to support clinical and translational research. Our Research Development Core works one-on-one with faculty to develop and submit grant proposals. Our Biostatistics Program consults on the design of data analysis plans. We also have programs that provide expert faculty consultation in Pediatrics, Health Disparities, Novel Methodologies, Clinical Translation, Community Engagement, Ethics, and Regulatory Processes. These services are supported by the institution and by grant funding, and there is no charge to investigators for using them. MICHR also offers Data Management, Project Management, Monitoring, ongoing Data Analysis, and IND/IDE services on a chargeback basis. MICHR administers a Pilot Grant Program and several educational initiatives in support of clinical and translational research as well. MICHR includes the Michigan Clinical Research Unit, (the former GCRC), which provides research-only clinic facilities, skilled nursing and bionutrition services, and specimen management.
Q: Who is eligible for MICHR support?
A: Clinical and translational research spans much of the research performed in Dental, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Medical, and other schools, institutes, and centers. Clinical research is generally considered to mean biomedical or health related research studies conducted in humans (or on material of human origin), and includes both interventional and observational studies. Translational research means research which applies discoveries generated in the laboratory to studies in humans (bench to bedside), or which speeds the adoption of best practices into community settings (bedside to practice). The MICHR is designed to serve investigators from any school within the University, performing clinical or translational research.
Q: How can I access MICHR services?
A: To access MCRU services, please complete an application in eResearch. To apply for funding from the Pilot Grant Program, please follow the instructions here.
For all other services, or for general inquiries, please call us at (734) 998-7474. You will be referred to a staff member who can discuss your needs and our services. If desired, we will schedule a time for you to meet MICHR managers and staff and begin to develop a project plan. You can also access the MICHR website at www.michr.umich.edu , or email us at um-michr@umich.edu.
Community Engagement (ENGAGE):
Q: How can Engage assist study teams with clinical research?
A: The Engage Database is a powerful recruitment tool. You can post information on active studies and modify postings as needed to manage recruitment.
Engage is customer friendly and designed to help potential research participants browse your postings by keyword or disease area. Community members can volunteer on line for a current study or indicate their interest in participating in future studies.
Q: How does the Engage Registry work?
A: The purpose of the Engage Registry is to match people who are interested in participating in clinical research with appropriate studies. Entering the registry does not automatically enter volunteers into a study. UM researchers/study teams can review volunteer information, and if the volunteer is eligible for a study, a researcher may contact them to further discuss the study and the possibility of participation. Volunteers who are UM patients may also grant access to their medical record for screening purposes only, which provides study teams a database of study candidates, including crucial disease information, for more efficient recruiting.
Data Management:
Q: How do I get in touch with someone who can help with development and design questions for Case Report Forms / data collection instruments for our research study?
A: Contact the Data Management Unit (Maggie Smith) at the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) at 998-7474 or margsm@umich.edu
Q: Who can help with data modeling and database design for our research study?
A: Contact the Data Management unit (Maggie Smith) at the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) at 998-7474 or margsm@umich.edu
Q: Is there somewhere I can network with other data managers and find resources for data management?
A: Contact the Data Management unit (Maggie Smith) at the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) at 998-7474 or margsm@umich.edu
Education:
Q: I am searching for clinical research training opportunities that are offered at, or hosted by, the University of Michigan. How can I find information about the courses and programs that are offered and how do I know if I am eligible for the training?
A: Clinical research training courses and programs that are available to UM faculty, staff, and students are listed on the Education and Mentoring Program page.
All UM faculty, staff, and students are eligible to attend the following:
- IRBMED training courses
- The Study Coordinator Workshop
- MCRIT Clinical Research Lecture Series
- The Introductory Course in Clinical Research offered through the K30/K12 Program
Doctoral students who are currently enrolled in the UM Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy are eligible to apply for training offered through the MCRIT Program.
Post-doctoral fellows are eligible to apply for training offered through the following programs:
- K30 Program [internal link to TCPR],
- The Post-doctoral Translational Scholars Program
- Post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty are eligible to apply for training offered through the K12 Mentored Clinical Research Scholars Program
MICHR Financial Interactions
Q: Who do I contact when I have questions about paying for MICHR services or other financial issues?
A: Tracey Naylor is MICHR's finance manager. She can be reached at tstaples@umich.edu or 734-998-7305.
MICHR Pilot Grant Program
Q: Does MICHR provide any pilot grant funding?
A: Yes. The MICHR Pilot and Collaborative Grant Program [internal link to pilot grant program] aims to facilitate, encourage, and support clinical translational research in its many forms. Any research involving humans (including using tissue or samples from humans, or clinical or physiological data from humans) is eligible for submission to the three annual CTSA Pilot grant award cycles. One-time, non-renewable awards are provided to basic and clinical science proposals for [T1] bench to bedside and [T2] bedside to practice research whose goal is to promote development of transformative solutions for improving patient outcomes. Additionally, we welcome proposals for [3] studies on health outcomes, health services, health policy, or community-based research that relates back to the clinical setting to inform screening practices or treatment decisions, [4] interventions to improve medical or psychosocial outcomes, and [5] development or testing of new hypotheses or interventions related to prevention and control of health problems.
Q: How are the grant applications assessed?
A: In addition to judging the overall quality of science proposed, the scientific review committee will give priority to proposals from junior investigators, new collaborations or research directions, and multi- and inter-disciplinary collaborations. Innovative new ideas for translational research are particularly encouraged, not only from individuals, but also from laboratories or teams working together from various disciplines (including population and community-based partnerships). For more information on the Pilot Grant Program click here.
Project Management, Study Monitoring and IND/IDE Support:
Q: Who do I call with questions regarding multi-center clinical trial management?
A: You may contact the Project Management and Monitoring Unit (Kevin Weatherwax) at the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) at 998-7474 or kweath@umich.edu
Q: Who do I call with questions regarding clinical trial monitoring?
A: Contact the Project Management and Monitoring Unit (Kevin Weatherwax) at the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) at 998-7474 or kweath@umich.edu
Q: Who do I call with questions about IND/IDE submissions to the FDA?
A: Contact the Project Management and Monitoring Unit (Kevin Weatherwax) at the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR), 998-7474
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