The proposed Hematology Central Coordinating Center (HCCC) will take advantage of our broad base expertise of established hematology researchers to set up a centralized site for investigators to find NIDDK- sponsored Collaborative Center of Excellence in Hematology (CCEH) Core Technology resources, Pilot & Feasibility funding opportunities, educational materials, standardized protocols and connect with other investigators. The goals of the collaborative center are to provide the tools for individual CCEHs to expand their influence by providing standardized protocols to improve reproducibility, a platform for data sharing, collaborative connections and administering a robust Pilot and Feasibility (P&F) program that is available to laboratories nationwide. We will provide timely announcements regarding information/education opportunities offered at each of the CCEHs.
We aim to increase exposure of the resources available at CCEHs to recruit additional researchers to the nonmalignant hematology field. The HCCC will provide multipronged communication approaches (website, social media, newsletter, email, webinars, YouTube videos) to improve the visibility of the state-of-the-art technologies available at CCEHs. We will expand on the success of our established Collaborative P&F program. Applications will be solicited, reviewed and awarded in a time sensitive manner. This improved P&F program will increase grant applications and leverage more funding dollars for hematology research. The HCCC Education and Outreach program will use novel approaches such as ?Meet the Expert? webinars to provide a real-time exchange of information and ideas that promotes innovative solutions to important questions that will rapidly advance this science. The HCCC will also provide materials; posters, brochures, handouts and general slide sets to CCEHs and NIDDK program staff to advertise these programs at national meetings. The overarching goal of these programs is to support and expand the national research effort to combat nonmalignant hematologic diseases and focus areas of hematopoiesis.
Our Coordinating Center will meet the need of the NIDDK Cooperative Centers of Excellence in Hematology (CCEH) by creating and overseeing the 1) administrative infrastructure to organize interactions and facilitate collaborations between CCEH investigators, 2) oversight of programs using set-aside funds to stimulate collaborative research through a competitive Pilot and Feasibility Program, 3) timely sharing of CCEH- generated data and reagents among CCEH investigators from all centers and within the broader research community exploring areas of non-malignant hematology, and 4) we will make these advances, opportunities and programs known to the scientific community and to the public at large through a cross center website.
