About the Course

The Clinical Trials Methodology Course (CTMC) is a program funded by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R25NS138633) to train investigators with limited clinical research experience in the best practices of clinical trial design and execution. By enriching the population of highly skilled clinical investigators, this program aims to increase the reliability and effectiveness of clinical trials related to neurological disorders thereby accelerating breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of these conditions.

The CTMC is strongly committed to conducting a training program that is welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to participants and faculty from underrepresented groups and disadvantaged backgrounds. Persons from diverse backgrounds, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Each year, a cohort of trainees are accepted through a competitive application process to participate in educational and mentorship activities focused on developing a clinical trial proposal related to neurological disorders. Over the 6 month course, trainees participate in small group mentorship meetings, webinars, and a 3-day, in-person conference. These sessions provide trainees with the tools to deepen their understanding of clinical trials and to hone their proposed project. The resulting product is a refined, feasible version of the clinical trial protocol. Historically, trainees who have completed the course have a higher likelihood of subsequent extramural funding and lasting careers in clinical research.

2025 Participant Tracks

Please attend our 2025 Informational Webinar on December 19th at 1:00pm ET to learn more and ask questions about the course!

Register to attend the webinar here

A recording will be added to the website following the session.

Can’t attend the course?

All training webinars and resources created by the course are publicly available and can be viewed on our Webinars & Resources page.

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History of the CTMC

The inaugural CTMC was held in 2012 in Vail, Colorado. The course has been held annually since 2014 under funding awards held by the Universities of Michigan and Iowa (PIs: Meurer, Coffey, Gutmann, Lewis). In 2024, the funding for the CTMC was renewed by the NINDS under the leadership of MPIs Laurie Gutmann, MD (Indiana) and Mark Quigg, MD (Virginia), along with the Executive Committee.

The current aims of the CTMC are:

  1. To teach best practices in clinical research to future investigators at different stages, particularly those who are focused in conducting research of underserved communities at risk for neurological disorders, through 3 tracks: a Foundation Track for less experienced investigators, an Advanced Track for those with potential network proposals, and a Biostatistics Track for early career biostatisticians

  2. To provide guidance and tools to develop clinical trial proposals through peer mentors, clinical research mentors, and biostatisticians, and to track proposal and investigator success

  3. To support career development of investigators through training and networking that goes beyond the course

  4. To promote principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in multiple arenas including participant and faculty recruitment, education of best practices in research design, and community engagement

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