UC San Diego Awarded $80M to Expand Clinical Trials and Train Tomorrow’s Researcher Leaders
 |
| the ACTRI La Jolla facility. A recent expansion to this facility will increase its capacity for clinical trial participants. Photo Credit: Kyle Dykes/UC San Diego Health Sciences |
UC San Diego Receives $80 Million Federal Grant to Improve Medical Research and Patient Care
University medical center gets funding to test new treatments and train doctors in Southern California
August 14, 2025 - San Diego, CA
The University of California San Diego has received $80 million from the federal government to expand medical research that directly benefits patients. The seven-year grant will help doctors test new treatments faster and train the next generation of medical researchers.
The money comes from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This is the fourth time UC San Diego has received this type of grant since 2008, making it one of the largest research awards in the university's history.
What This Means for Patients
Medical research typically takes many years to move from laboratory discoveries to treatments that doctors can offer patients. This grant helps speed up that process by providing resources to test promising treatments in clinical trials - studies where patients volunteer to try new therapies under careful medical supervision.
"We're taking new discoveries in medicine and science and turning them into treatments that help real people," said Dr. Davey Smith, who leads UC San Diego's clinical research efforts. "Our goal is to get better treatments to patients faster and more fairly."
The university's Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute (ACTRI) will use the funding to:
- Run more clinical trials for new treatments
- Make it easier for patients to participate in medical studies
- Train doctors and scientists to conduct better research
- Share medical data between hospitals to improve care
More Hospitals Joining the Network
The grant allows UC San Diego to work with four additional medical centers: Eisenhower Health, Rady Children's Hospital, the VA San Diego Healthcare System, and El Centro Regional Medical Center. These join existing partners including local colleges and research institutes.
This expanded network means patients across Southern California - from cities to rural areas near the Mexican border - will have better access to experimental treatments and clinical trials.
Dr. Michael Hogarth, who helps manage medical data for the research institute, explained: "We're connecting hospitals and sharing information to help doctors make better decisions about patient care."
Training Future Medical Researchers
A major part of the grant focuses on education, with detailed programs that have already shown measurable success in developing the next generation of medical researchers. The funding will support comprehensive training initiatives that reach students at all levels:
K12 Scholars Program - Early Career Faculty Development
The ACTRI K12 Grant Support Program provides up to three years of research career development support and up to $120,000 for UC San Diego instructors or assistant professors. This program functions as an institutional equivalent of federal K23, K01 or K08 awards - prestigious research training grants for junior faculty. The program includes:
- Mentorship: One-on-one guidance from experienced faculty researchers
- Financial Support: Protected time for research with salary support
- Professional Development: Training in grant writing, research methodology, and career planning
- Network Access: Connections to the broader UC San Diego research community
"We're cultivating future leaders ready to accelerate medical breakthroughs," said Dr. Colin Depp, professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine and director of the ACTRI K12 program. "That includes students at community colleges, junior faculty at partner institutions, and veterans transitioning into health careers."
CADRE Program - Community College Partnership
The Creating Dedicated Scientists through Research Education (CADRE) program specifically targets underserved undergraduate populations, partnering with San Diego Mesa College to provide hands-on research opportunities. Launched in 2024, the program has already demonstrated remarkable success:
Program Structure:
- Eight-week paid internships in UC San Diego laboratories and clinics
- Faculty mentorship with students matched to researchers based on their interests
- Academic support through complementary coursework led by Mesa College faculty
- Financial assistance to help students balance work and research commitments
Proven Results:
- Six of seven first-year interns continued their research under faculty guidance
- One student secured a permanent position in their assigned laboratory
- One student successfully transferred to UC San Diego
- Another participant was hired at Scripps Research Institute
- All participants expressed enthusiasm for continuing their research careers
- Students are pursuing advanced degrees in fields ranging from neuropsychology to epidemiology
CREST Program - Comprehensive Research Training
The Clinical Research Enhancement through Supplemental Training (CREST) program offers flexible training options for researchers at all levels:
Training Tracks:
- Track I: Focused modules for specific needs (biostatistics, career development, ethics)
- Track II: Complete 10-module, two-year curriculum equivalent to 20 credit hours
- Degree Option: Credits can be applied toward a Masters of Advanced Studies in Clinical Research
Accessibility Features:
- Hybrid delivery options (in-person, remote, asynchronous)
- Discounted fees for UC San Diego affiliates
- Available to clinical trial coordinators and regulatory professionals
SUSTAIN Program - Supporting Underrepresented Researchers
The Supporting Under-represented Scholars in Translational and Interdisciplinary Networks (SUSTAIN) program addresses systemic barriers in research careers:
Support Provided:
- 1-2 years of protected research time with 50% salary support
- Individualized mentorship and grant writing training
- Access to Translational Career Scientist seminar series
- Department matching of remaining 50% salary commitment
Target Population: Under-represented minority faculty members resubmitting grant applications, recognizing that national data shows these researchers are less likely to sustain research careers.
MedGap Program - Medical Student Research Year
Third-year medical students can take a full year away from their curriculum for in-depth research through the MedGap Program:
Program Features:
- 12 months of research with UC San Diego faculty mentors
- Training in biostatistics (two required courses)
- Optional supplemental courses for advanced research education
- Works-in-progress seminar series where students present ongoing research
- Support for clinical, translational, health services, outcomes, and basic science research
Recent Projects: Students have conducted research on topics including social determinants of health in pediatric cancer survival, mental health resources for youth, and racial disparities in medical care.
Additional Training Initiatives
Specialized Bootcamps:
- Clinical research coordination
- Regulatory affairs
- Research business management
- Laboratory support
Leadership Development:
- ACTRI Leadership Academy for early-stage faculty
- Building Respectful and Inclusive Culture (BRIC) workshops
- Team science training through innovative online gaming platforms
Interdisciplinary Programs:
- Galvanizing Engineering in Medicine (GEM) program connecting clinicians with engineers
- Community-Focused Clinical and Translational Science pilots
- Partnership programs with biotech and pharmaceutical companies
Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
UC San Diego's 50-year-old Medical Scientist Training Program combines MD and PhD training, currently supporting 90 students. This NIH-funded program:
- Provides full financial support (stipend, tuition, health insurance) for 8 years
- Admits 10-13 new students annually
- Partners with world-renowned institutions including Salk Institute, Scripps Research, and Sanford Burnham Prebys
- Graduates 90% of students who continue to specialty medical training
Measurable Impact
The expanded training programs will reach more students than ever before:
- Support for researchers across more than 1,500 faculty members at regional institutions
- Training opportunities extending from high school through senior faculty levels
- Programs specifically designed to address diversity and inclusion in scientific careers
- Direct pathways from community college to research careers at major institutions
These programs represent a comprehensive pipeline for developing medical researchers, from community college students getting their first taste of laboratory work to senior faculty launching independent research careers. The $80 million grant will allow these successful programs to expand their reach and impact across Southern California.
Proven Track Record
UC San Diego's research institute has already contributed to important medical advances with specific, measurable outcomes:
ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Gene Therapy Breakthroughs
ACTRI researchers helped lead global trials for the first gene-targeted therapy for ALS, working with pharmaceutical companies Biogen and IONIS Pharmaceuticals. Currently, there are five active gene therapy trials underway at UC San Diego with three more preparing to start. These include:
- SOD1 Gene Therapy: BIIB67 (now called tofersen) reached Phase III clinical trials to test safety and effectiveness in ALS patients with SOD1 gene mutations
- C9orf72 Gene Therapy: The first treatment targeting C9orf72 gene mutation in ALS, with UC San Diego successfully enrolling patients in multiple study groups
- Small Molecule BIIB100: Testing a drug that may slow ALS progression by normalizing how proteins and RNA move in and out of cell centers
COVID-19 Research Leadership
During the pandemic, UC San Diego played a major role in developing treatments and vaccines:
- Operation Warp Speed: Dr. Davey Smith served as protocol chair for ACTIV-2, a major COVID-19 treatment study as part of Operation Warp Speed
- Monoclonal Antibody Trials: Led Phase II clinical trials testing LY-CoV555, a laboratory-made antibody treatment, enrolling 220 volunteers worldwide
- Border Community Studies: Supported the development of COVID-19 vaccine studies in border communities
- Diagnostic Innovation: Developed methods to increase testing efficiency and track how the virus spreads in vulnerable populations
HIV/AIDS Research Excellence
Every single HIV drug that has ever been used in a person was tested at UC San Diego, establishing the university as a global leader in infectious disease research. The research has directly saved lives - Dr. Smith was inspired to enter clinical research after witnessing HIV patients survive what was then a fatal disease thanks to new combination therapies tested at UC San Diego.
Extensive Pediatric Research Program
Through partnership with Rady Children's Hospital:
- Active Studies: More than 890 active research studies by more than 230 investigators, including more than 200 active clinical trials
- Specialized Programs: Studies on diseases like Parkinson's disease, Type 2 diabetes, chronic pain, bipolar disorder, pediatric migraines, and epilepsy
- Innovative Treatments: Testing bacteriophage therapy (viruses that target bacteria) for drug-resistant infections, gene therapy for heart disease, and implanted devices for migraines
- Long-COVID Research: Participating in the nationwide $1.15 billion RECOVER Initiative to understand long-term COVID-19 effects in children
Current Research Scale
ACTRI currently facilitates 300 active trials and provides support for nearly all of the 1,200 clinical trials at the university. UC San Diego receives more than $500 million in research funding each year from the National Institutes of Health, making it a leader among U.S. academic health systems.
Real-World Impact
Many drugs that started clinical trials at ACTRI are now used to treat everything from high blood pressure, heart failure and diabetes to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS and cancer. The institute operates from a 360,000-square-foot research building and currently oversees research worth $732 million, involving more than 1,500 doctors and scientists from regional institutions.
How Clinical Trials Work
Clinical trials are carefully designed studies where patients volunteer to test new treatments. These studies follow strict safety rules and are monitored by medical experts. Patients who participate in clinical trials often get access to promising new treatments before they become widely available.
The research institute helps patients find appropriate clinical trials and supports doctors conducting these studies by providing:
- Expert advice on study design
- Data analysis services
- Specialized medical facilities
- Regulatory guidance to ensure patient safety
National Impact
This grant is part of a larger federal program that supports medical research institutions across the United States. The program funds more than 60 major medical centers nationwide, all working to speed up the development of new treatments.
The total federal budget for this type of research is nearly $630 million annually, reflecting the government's commitment to advancing medical care for all Americans.
Dr. John Carethers, UC San Diego's vice chancellor for Health Sciences, said: "This grant recognizes our ability to improve human health and build a research system that benefits everyone. We're not just advancing science - we're strengthening our communities and training future medical leaders."
Looking Forward
Over the next seven years, this funding will help UC San Diego continue developing new treatments for diseases ranging from cancer to heart disease to rare genetic conditions. The expanded network of partner hospitals means more patients will have opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research.
"We're changing how we approach medical research," Dr. Smith said. "We expect many important discoveries over the next seven years that will help patients throughout Southern California and beyond."
The grant includes two specific components: one for research activities and another for training programs, showing the dual focus on both advancing medical knowledge and preparing future researchers.
As medical challenges continue to evolve, UC San Diego's expanded research capabilities will play an important role in developing solutions that benefit patients locally and worldwide.
Key Terms Explained
Clinical Trial: A research study where patients volunteer to test new treatments under careful medical supervision
Translational Research: The process of taking discoveries made in laboratory research and developing them into treatments for patients
Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA): A federal grant program that helps medical institutions speed up the development of new treatments
National Institutes of Health (NIH): The main federal agency that funds medical research in the United States
Biomedical Research: Scientific studies focused on understanding diseases and developing new treatments
Gene Therapy: A technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease
Sources and Citations
- University of California San Diego. "UC San Diego Awarded $80M to Expand Clinical Trials and Train Tomorrow's Researcher Leaders." UC San Diego Today, August 14, 2025. https://today.ucsd.edu/story/uc-san-diego-awarded-80m-to-expand-clinical-trials-and-train-tomorrows-researcher-leaders
- Newswise. "UC San Diego Awarded $80M to Expand Clinical Trials and Train Tomorrow's Researcher Leaders." August 14, 2025. https://www.newswise.com/articles/uc-san-diego-awarded-80m-to-expand-clinical-trials-and-train-tomorrow-s-researcher-leaders/?sc=rsla
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. "Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program." National Institutes of Health. https://ncats.nih.gov/research/research-activities/ctsa
- UC San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute. "Funding and Support." https://actri.ucsd.edu/centers-services/funding-and-support/index.html
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. "Budget." National Institutes of Health. https://ncats.nih.gov/about/budget
- UC San Diego Health Sciences. "VC Message: Appointment of Dr. David Smith as Director of Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute." https://vchs.ucsd.edu/about/johncarethers/messages/appointment-of-dr-david-smith-as-director-of-altman-clinical-and-translational-research-insitute.html
- Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute. "Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA)." Duke University. https://ctsi.duke.edu/about/clinical-and-translational-science-awards-ctsa
- UC San Diego. "Funding Opportunities and Support." Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute. https://actri.ucsd.edu/resources/funding-opportunities-support/index.html
- UC San Diego. "Leadership." Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute. https://actri.ucsd.edu/about/leadership/index.html
- National Institutes of Health. "PAR-25-197: Limited Competition: NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program Research Education Grants Programs." https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-25-197.html
- UC San Diego Awarded $80M to Expand Clinical Trials and Train Tomorrow’s Researcher Leaders
Comments
Post a Comment