ABSTRACT – TRACKING AND EVALUATION CORE The advancement of clinical and translational science in Rhode Island requires careful planning and implementation, stakeholder engagement, efficient use of resources, and an integrated approach by the key components. Advance-CTR will continue to benefit from high caliber program evaluation by the Tracking and Evaluation (T&E) Core to achieve its goals and demonstrate its effectiveness. The T&E Core utilizes a participatory stakeholder-driven approach to evaluation that adapts its designs as the Advance-CTR program evolves. A logic model for evaluation defines program activities, outputs, and intermediate and distal impacts. This model guides the T&E Core in working with Core Directors and the Operations Committee to revise and augment the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) compiled in the T&E Core’s biannual reports. Additionally, the T&E Core informs the Operations and Steering Committees by performing satisfaction and needs assessment surveys. The T&E Core has pioneered the use of participatory Group Concept Mapping (GCM) for needs assessment within CTR programs. It has been applied by the T&E Core to examine research barriers confronting investigators, and to elucidate the divergent health priorities of community stakeholders. A subsequent application of the GCM approach will address strategies for enhancing community participation in the design and implementation of research protocols. The T&E Core is supported by a comprehensive information management system that efficiently captures the necessary data elements to tabulate KPIs reported to Core Directors and Advisory Committees. Paramount domains of measurement will continue to include the efficiency in Core use of resources, trends in service utilization, satisfaction with services provided, levels and quality of applications to award programs, and research outputs, including grants awarded, publications and presentations. The T&E Core will increasingly evaluate impacts at the institutional and community levels. Needs assessment activities will include evaluating barriers and facilitators within research centers, institutes, and other focused research groups existing among our partner organizations. Another important role of the T&E Core is to support Advance-CTR in responding to the diverse range of health priorities identified by community groups and state agencies. The T&E Core works closely with Advance- CTR’s Community Engagement and Outreach Core to evaluate how community needs and concerns are incorporated into research designs. Additionally, the T&E Core conducts interviews and convenes focus groups to better understand the translational impacts of awardees’ research. Lastly, continuity is essential to maintaining momentum in program evaluation. The T&E Core benefits from the stability of its team, and their strong relationships with peer evaluation scientists from other CTR and CTSA programs.