Objectives/Goals: The Research Coordinator Plus (RC+) program was developed to provide comprehensive and accessible professional development at an academic institution to support high-quality human subjects research. The program supplements existing research training programs, is free, self-paced, and combines general knowledge with institution-specific practical applications. Methods/Study Population: RC+ is a professional development program created by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) for non-faculty staff involved in human subjects’ research. It covers regulatory, project management, and financial aspects across the research lifecycle, relevant to both biomedical and social/behavioral research. The program focuses on institutional policies and procedures, led by CCTS staff with stakeholder input. Follow-up surveys assess expectations and gather feedback on program content. The content was informed by best practices, the Joint Task Force for Clinical Competencies, workforce development programs at other CTSA-funded institutions, and input from our CCTS staff and a research advisory board. Results/Anticipated Results: RC+ is in its 4th year and enrollment has exceeded expectations. The program has built in flexibilities to allow greater access to professional development. It is free to attend with year-round enrollment and self-paced completion. Content is delivered by different modalities, including online, on-demand, and live and recorded virtual programs. To date, 279 individuals have registered, with 13 completing all requirements. 71 have left UIC without finishing. Self-reported research roles include research coordinator, grants manager, PI, and university administrator. Survey response to date has been low, with 60% indicated they had learned something new and would recommend the program to others, and 65% of respondents indicated they are satisfied or extremely satisfied with the program overall. Discussion/Significance of Impact: We successfully created a free program with minimal operating budget, flexible start dates, and accessible programming. RC+ is a model for institutions wishing to provide training for their research staff that integrates key considerations for human research protections, research integrity, project management, and implementation.
Olech et al. (Wed,) studied this question.