On May 13, 2024, it was reported that the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science received a significant funding boost of $39.6 million from the National Institutes of Health. This seven-year grant will support the institute's collaborative efforts through the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science. This partnership includes various academic research institutions, healthcare businesses, and patient advocates aimed at addressing systemic community health issues.
Current research initiatives under this alliance examine the impact of parents' mental health on child development and the link between Medicaid coverage and preventable deaths, including those from gallstone complications. Additionally, the alliance has played a role in increasing access to COVID-19 vaccines in underserved areas and contributing to national research on the pandemic’s long-term impacts on children.
The new funding will be allocated toward initiating new clinical trials, enhancing community engagement to bolster research efficacy, and facilitating the training of a diverse pool of new providers and researchers.