Research
The School of Medicine supports a rich array of outstanding basic, clinical and population research programs, centers, and resources across the translation spectrum. The infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration support highly innovative research that fulfills our goal to positively impact the health of patients and serve the University, the State and beyond.
Research Strategic Priorities
- Guide investment for UNC to achieve national/global leadership in top research thematic areas
- Set clinical departments on a path toward national leadership in research
- Increase engagement with industry as part of an ongoing effort to grow translational and clinical research
- Strengthen the UNC research infrastructure including organization, governance, and administration to ensure UNC School of Medicine research remains at the cutting edge
Year 3 – Key Accomplishments*
- SOM Research Funding increased by more than $39.8M in FY21 compared to FY 21
- SOM continues to provide national leadership and expertise related to COVID-19 research and clinical trials
- SOM expanded the Physician Scientist Training Program in its third year with the addition of 2 new fellow and 2 new faculty awards.
- The SOM provided funding support to 8 clinical departments for 25 clinician scientists supported by NIH K awards
- The SOM recognized three outstanding young tenured faculty as Yang Family Biomedical Scholars
- Translational Team Science Award (TTSA, 2 awards) and Emerging Challenges in Biomedical Research (ECBR, 2 awards) pilot funds were provided to SOM teams to pursue interdisciplinary research leading to future NIH funding
- In the strategic area of infectious disease research, UNC HIV Cure Center was one of two programs renewed for a third 5-year grant ($26.2M) for the Collaboratory of AIDS Researchers for Eradication (CARE) project.
- The SOM Clinical Research Support Office (CRSO)continues to onboard Clinical Research Accountability Units (CRAUs), develop standardized SOPs and clinical trial resources and training including the launch of the Clinical Trialist Training Program in FY22.
*Year 3 through June 31, 2022
Tracking Implementation Progress – Year 4, Q2
| Priority | Status |
|---|---|
| 1A. Develop vision and plan to guide investment for UNC to achieve national/global leadership in top research thematic areasOn Track | On Track |
| 1B. Set clinical departments on a path towards national leadership in research: establish vision, strategy, expectations | On Track |
| 1C. Increase engagement with industry as part of ongoing effort to grow translational and clinical researchOn Track | On Track |
| 1D. Strengthen the UNC research infrastructure including organization, governance and administration to ensure UNC research advances the cutting edge | On Track |
Research News
Imperative Administration
Jennifer Brennan, PhD
Director, SOM Office of Research
Research Imperative Administrator
The SOM Strategic Plan has provided a vital roadmap to secure continued success and growth across our translational research pipeline. Key strategic programs and infrastructure have received significant resources and the dedicated leadership to monitor our progress and celebrate the success of our research programs.