This summer, the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences (NC TraCS) Institute reached a significant milestone in the growth of its Pilot Program with the publication of its 300th academic paper.
Some of the top stories include a study in the journal Science using the CRISPR genome editing tool to correct the defect underlying muscular dystrophy; a study in Pain Medicine on racial disparities in opioid prescriptions dispensed to Medicaid beneficiaries; and a study in the New England Journal of Medicine on cardiovascular outcomes associated with the use of a popular drug for type 2 diabetes.
Since its launch in October 2008, the Pilot Program has fueled so many achievements that it can be difficult to keep count. But we've tried.
Of 2,136 grant applications received, 721 pilots have been awarded. More than $19 million has been awarded to 1,409 investigators from 92 UNC departments and divisions, 39 UNC centers and institutes, 10 UNC schools, and 84 outside institutions. Those projects have generated data instrumental in obtaining 255 external grants adding up to $163 million in new funding, a nearly ten-fold return on investment.
In addition, 75% of awards have targeted one or more of the top North Carolina health priorities, which include obesity, substance use, healthcare access, mental health, and chronic disease management. At last count, funded projects resulted in 102 community activities and participation in 640 conferences.
