Trial Innovation Network (TIN)

• The TIN is a national network that focuses on operational innovation, operational excellence and collaboration and leverages the expertise and resources of the CTSA Program.
• There are 3 key partners of TIN:
  • CTSA Program Hubs (i.e. SC CTSI)
  • Trial Innovation Centers (TICs) coordinates and provides innovative, high quality operational support for Trial Innovation Network clinical trials. TICs: Duke/Vanderbilt, University of Utah, Johns Hopkins/Tufts.
  • Recruitment Innovation Centers (RICs) Work with researchers to develop, test and share innovations in order to improve participant recruitment and retention. RICs: Columbia University, The Ohio State, Rockefeller University, The Regenstrief Institute and the University of Utah.

• A multicenter trial (including 3 or more sites – sites affiliated with USC, such as CHLA and LAC+USC do not count as a separate site)
• Multidisciplinary in nature
• Priority for studies that test an innovation to improve the clinical trials process, such as operational innovation or an innovation in design (i.e. “research about research”)
• Investigators do not need to apply for a specific RFA, but should propose a multi-center trial or study

• NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) such as NHLBI and NIA
• PCORI
• Foundations and other non-profit organizations
• Existing cooperative disease research networks such as ACDS (Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study)
• Studies that have joint funding from pharma and federal funding sources 

• Standard agreements to streamline contract negotiation and expedite study start-up
• Central IRB
• Personalized recruitment assistance through clinical research informatics and the science of participant engagement Consultations that cover study design, budget, projected timelines, recruitment, study feasibility, efficacy-to-effectiveness trial design, community engagement, etc. These consultations can be provided by the local Hub team (i.e. at USC or CHLA), or from the TICs or RICs if the PI is initiating a multicenter trial

The Trial Innovation Network is designed to be a complementary resource for investigators and NIH Institutes and can work in partnership with other NIH Networks. The program staff of other NIH networks should contact NCATS staff to discuss how best to collaborate

• Willing to partner with the Trial Innovation Network through the life cycle of the project
• Study an innovative operational approach to improve quality, efficiency, or cost of clinical research
• More than 60 days allotted for consultation prior to planned grant submission with substantial project development
• Fosters collaboration within the CTSA Program and NIH Institutes & Centers
• Includes diverse populations

Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis and the current timeframe from submission of review to distribution of a decision letter is approximately 4-6 weeks

The Trial Innovation Network is designed to provide support to clinical trials and studies, and is not intended to provide a supplement to an administrative core of a P01 grant

An initial consultation should occur prior to an application being submitted to an NIH Institute for funding

Yes, any Institution that might be involved in a TIN study should be willing to adopt the TIN (CIRB and Standard Agreement)

The TIN Standard Agreement template is an agreement that has been reviewed and agreed upon by over 25 CTSA Institutions. It is intended to be a starting point for each Institution involved in a Trial Innovation Network Study. This sample agreement can be adjusted if absolutely necessary for a particular Institution