[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 129 (Friday, July 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37034-37035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13131]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


National Center for Research Resources 2009 Strategic Plan

AGENCY: National Center for Research Resources, NIH, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In order to prepare for the future, The National Center for 
Research Resources (NCRR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), is 
developing a new strategic plan. The purpose of the plan is to ensure 
that NCRR remains responsive to the emerging needs of biomedical 
researchers and provides them with the infrastructure, tools, and 
training they need to understand, detect, treat, and prevent a wide 
range of diseases. The NCRR requests input from biomedical scientists 
to define future needs for shared research resources and technologies 
that facilitate NIH-supported biomedical research. The NCRR's existing 
2004-2008 strategic plan may be accessed over the World Wide Web: 
http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/about_us/StrategicPlan2004-08.pdf.

DATES: Submit responses to the Office of Science Policy and Public 
Liaison, NCRR (see below) on or before August 24, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Science Policy and 
Public Liaison, NCRR/NIH/DHHS, 6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874, 
Suite 994, Bethesda, MD 20892-4874, telephone 301-435-0866, FAX 301-
480-3654, e-mail [email protected], Internet http://www.ncrr.nih.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Center for Research Resources 
(NCRR) provides clinical and translational researchers with the 
training and tools they need to understand, detect, treat, and prevent 
a wide range of diseases. This support enables discoveries that begin 
at a molecular and cellular level, move to animal-based studies, and 
then are translated to patient-oriented clinical research, resulting in 
cures and treatments for both common and rare diseases. NCRR connects 
researchers with one another, as well as with patients and communities 
across the Nation, to harness the power of shared resources and 
research.
    Transcending geographic boundaries and research disciplines, NCRR 
supports unique and essential research and resources that help to 
transform basic discoveries into improved human health. Together, the 
programs accelerate and enhance research along the entire continuum of 
biomedical science to:
     Fund clinical and translational science awards at academic 
health centers to speed basic discoveries into improved medical care. 
Working as a national Consortium, these institutions will develop novel 
approaches, enhance informatics, and improve training and mentoring 
that will be disseminated across the Consortium and beyond.
     Provide access to state-of-the-art technologies and 
instruments that enable both basic biomedical research and clinical 
investigations of a multitude of health issues, from cancer to 
infectious diseases.
     Develop and provide access to critical animal models, 
which offer essential clues to a broad range of human disorders such as 
Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and AIDS.
     Train veterinarians in translational research in order to 
respond to deadly human diseases, such SARS, influenza, and hepatitis.
     Enhance development programs for underserved states and 
institutions, focusing on health disparities that negatively impact 
racial and ethnic minority populations.
     Provide funding to expand, remodel, and renovate or alter 
existing research facilities or construct new research facilities.
     Fund career development programs that attract talented 
medical students, physicians, and dentists to the challenge of clinical 
research careers.
     Stimulate basic research to develop versatile new 
technologies and methods that help researchers to study virtually every 
human disease.
     Increase the public's understanding of medical research 
and delivers information about healthy living and career opportunities 
in science to children and the general public.
    To ensure the continued relevance of its Strategic Plan, the NCRR 
seeks input to the following questions in terms of the issues described 
above:
     What are the most significant trends, developments, and/or 
needs in biomedical research that are likely to materialize over the 
next five years, and what can NCRR do to be prepared to respond to 
them?
     From the standpoint of achieving the broadest impact among 
investigators, what new or expanded research resources and/or animal 
models should be developed over the next five to eight years?
     The recently-introduced CTSA (Clinical Translational 
Science Award) Program seeks to transform the local, regional and 
national environment for clinical and translational science, thereby 
increasing the efficiency and speed of clinical and translational 
research. What considerations will be most crucial to the long-term 
success of this initiative?
     Despite significant progress, research institutions 
serving predominantly minority and underserved populations face stiff 
challenges. What can NCRR do to most effectively support the long-term 
advancement of these institutions?
     NCRR has, and will continue to, work closely with many 
federal and private sector institutions, agencies, and organizations. 
Looking forward, what organizations should NCRR seek out for future 
partnerships to most effectively support, expand, and advance its 
programs and services?
     Is there anything else you would like to add that would be 
helpful to NCRR?
    For your convenience, we have provided a user-friendly response 
form at the NCRR's Strategic Planning Web site: http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/strategicplan. If you do not have access, please send 
your responses to the above address.


[[Page 37035]]


    Dated: June 21, 2007.
Barbara Alving,
Director, NCRR, National Institutes of Health.
 [FR Doc. E7-13131 Filed 7-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P