Renewal is largest research grant in UNMC history

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) has given UNMC its largest research grant in the university’s history.

Great Plains Institutional Development Award program for Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA-CTR) this month received the five-year, $20.3 million award — a renewal of a then-record $20 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding award from 2016. At $4.3 million during year one and $4 million for years two through five, this award will enhance clinical and translational science across the region.

Matthew Rizzo, MD, Frances & Edgar Reynolds Chair and professor in the UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences, is leading the group representing all IDeA-CTR awardees.

"It’s a privilege to have won the federal support we need to launch great, new scientific teams, plans and partnerships — to advance national biomedical science and health for all the communities we serve," Dr. Rizzo said. "We are excited to be launching innovative programs in technology spanning medicine and engineering, an academic public-private board, a community-engaged clinical and translational research incubator, team science and other initiatives."

The 2021 renewal brings continued support for health-related research to serve unique populations in the Great Plains.

"This grant mechanism was very effective in building new infrastructure and collaborative research teams across the region," said Jennifer Larsen, MD, UNMC vice chancellor for research. "Dr. Rizzo is well poised to advance our collaborative clinical-translational research and resources over the next five years."

With this renewal, UNMC leads a regional consortium of partners, including:

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• University of Nebraska at Omaha
• University of Nebraska at Kearney
• Boys Town National Research Hospital
• Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
• Creighton University
• Omaha VA Medical Center
• Practice Based Research Network (PBRN) spanning 68 clinical sites across the Great Plains

"We have a talented and dedicated scientific team and have made huge strides together over the past five years," Dr. Rizzo said. "This award recognizes the strong work and endurance of all who contributed in the face of the pandemic."