Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Training Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: For whom is this training program designed? A: Physicians, dentists, nurses, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, engineers, social scientists or other health professionals with M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent degrees who aspire to focus on clinical research in their careers.

Q: What is the purpose of the program? A: This NIH-funded program is designed to expand the clinical research workforce through the development of future leaders in clinical research.The program emphasizes team based, multidisciplinary, clinical research. The NIH defines Clinical Research as:
a) patient-oriented research. Research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator (or colleague) directly interacts with human subjects. This area of research includes:
    1. Mechanisms of human disease
    2. Therapeutic interventions
    3. Clinical trials
    4. Development of new technologies
b) Epidemiologic and behavioral studies
c) Outcomes research and health services research
Excluded from this definition are in vitro studies that utilize human tissues but do not deal directly with patients. In other words, clinical or patient-oriented research is research in which it is necessary to know the identity of the patients from whom the cells or tissues under study are derived.

Q: How is clinical research defined in this multidisciplinary training program?A: The purpose of this program is to support the early career development of clinical researchers from a variety of disciplines engaged in all types of clinical research including patient-oriented research, translational research, small- and large-scale clinical investigation and trials, and epidemiologic and natural history studies.

Q: What are the participating institutions? A: The schools and colleges of Case Western Reserve University (CASE), in close collaboration with CASE-affiliated academic medical centers -- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, University Hospitals of Cleveland, MetroHealth Medical Center, and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.

Q: What is the duration of the training period? A: Depending upon the CR Scholar, this period will last between 2 and 5 years. Typical duration would be 3 or 4 years.

Q: What are the benefits of the program? A: Successful candidates will receive salary and benefits commensurate with prior experience and qualifications, a research stipend, and tuition benefits for two to four years.

Q: Will advanced degree(s) be awarded? A: Yes, CR Scholars will have the opportunity to earn an advanced degree in clinical research. Many CR scholars will chose to apply for our linked Clinical Research Program ( http://casemed.case.edu/CRSP/index.htm) and receive credit for their research and all core courses in the MCRTP. we also review requests to apply to other degree programs on case-by-case basis.

Q: When is the application deadline? A: The deadline for receipt of current applications is November 7, 2007.

Q: Will I be assigned an adviser when I arrive? A: Yes, after acceptance into the program, CR Scholars are assigned a minimum of two mentors by the program's Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee, and over 100 highly accomplished clinical research mentors are participating in this program.

Q: How do I select mentors? A: After you arrive, an advisory committee will assist you in selecting appropriate mentors, taking into consideration your goals and the clinical investigators affiliated with this program. CR Scholars will interview with potential mentors during their first few weeks on campus, prior to making their selection.


Home Background Eligibility Benefits Program Application About Us FAQs Contact Us		Frequently Asked Questions Q: For whom is this training program designed? A: Physicians, dentists, nurses, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, engineers, social scientists or other health professionals with M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent degrees who aspire to focus on clinical research in their careers. Q: What is the purpose of the program? A: This NIH-funded program is designed to expand the clinical research workforce through the development of future leaders in clinical research.The program emphasizes team based, multidisciplinary, clinical research. The NIH defines Clinical Research as: a) patient-oriented research. Research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator (or colleague) directly interacts with human subjects. This area of research includes: 1. Mechanisms of human disease 2. Therapeutic interventions 3. Clinical trials 4. Development of new technologies b) Epidemiologic and behavioral studies c) Outcomes research and health services research Excluded from this definition are in vitro studies that utilize human tissues but do not deal directly with patients. In other words, clinical or patient-oriented research is research in which it is necessary to know the identity of the patients from whom the cells or tissues under study are derived. Q: How is clinical research defined in this multidisciplinary training program?A: The purpose of this program is to support the early career development of clinical researchers from a variety of disciplines engaged in all types of clinical research including patient-oriented research, translational research, small- and large-scale clinical investigation and trials, and epidemiologic and natural history studies. Q: What are the participating institutions? A: The schools and colleges of Case Western Reserve University (CASE), in close collaboration with CASE-affiliated academic medical centers -- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, University Hospitals of Cleveland, MetroHealth Medical Center, and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. Q: What is the duration of the training period? A: Depending upon the CR Scholar, this period will last between 2 and 5 years. Typical duration would be 3 or 4 years. Q: What are the benefits of the program? A: Successful candidates will receive salary and benefits commensurate with prior experience and qualifications, a research stipend, and tuition benefits for two to four years. Q: Will advanced degree(s) be awarded? A: Yes, CR Scholars will have the opportunity to earn an advanced degree in clinical research. Many CR scholars will chose to apply for our linked Clinical Research Program ( http://casemed.case.edu/CRSP/index.htm) and receive credit for their research and all core courses in the MCRTP. we also review requests to apply to other degree programs on case-by-case basis. Q: When is the application deadline? A: The deadline for receipt of current applications is November 7, 2007. Q: Will I be assigned an adviser when I arrive? A: Yes, after acceptance into the program, CR Scholars are assigned a minimum of two mentors by the program's Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee, and over 100 highly accomplished clinical research mentors are participating in this program. Q: How do I select mentors? A: After you arrive, an advisory committee will assist you in selecting appropriate mentors, taking into consideration your goals and the clinical investigators affiliated with this program. CR Scholars will interview with potential mentors during their first few weeks on campus, prior to making their selection.