# Tracking and Evaluation Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · BROWN UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $296,119

## Abstract

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.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10929406
- **Project number:** 5U54GM115677-09
- **Recipient organization:** BROWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** STEPHEN J KOGUT
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $296,119
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-07-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10929406

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10929406, Tracking and Evaluation Core (5U54GM115677-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10929406. Licensed CC0.

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