Minister for Research and Innovation Seán Sherlock has announced funding of €4.3 million has been allocated to the Clinical and Translational Research Scholars Programme (CTRSP), developed by the partner institutes of
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The CTRSP is a four-year PhD programme being run in NUI Galway, UCC, Trinity College and UCD with the aim of producing graduates trained to translate patient and disease-focused research into clinically effective and commercial applications. The programme has been developed with the assistance of the Irish Medicines Board and companies such as Amgen, Pfizer, Creganna-Tactx and Merrion Pharmaceuticals. Twenty science graduates have enrolled on the programme following a competitive selection process.
Speaking at the launch, Sherlock said: "I strongly believe this new Clinical and Translational Research Scholars Programme is very important on a number of strategic levels. It will deliver more scientists in Ireland who are undertaking innovative patient- and disease-focused research, and then crucially bringing their findings from the bench to the clinic - for the ultimate benefit of our population's health."
The CTRSP is being funded through Cycle 5 of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI), and will entail an investment of €4.317 million by the state in the four host institutions. One of the objectives of PRTLI Cycle 5 is to enhance PhD education and training, to deliver PhDs with skillsets for working across the spectrum of the private and public sectors.
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