Though there are a number of tangible benefits to joining the IR CTN, the main goal is bringing researchers together.


“Central to accomplishing the mission of the IR CTN is the establishment of a robust community that enables ongoing education and mentorship of developing IR investigators, guidance on preparation of clinical trial grant applications, sharing of best practices in clinical trial conduct, and identification of participating sites for clinical studies,” said Dr. Misra. “I’m confident that the IR CTN will help our community achieve all these goals and more.”


What are the benefits? The aim of the network, organizers say, is providing access to many of the elements that make research feel possible, such as a network of capable enrollment sites and education and guidance on trial design and implementation skills.


“SIR Connect, since its inception, has been a fertile ground for communication between members,” said Dr. Durack. “That kind of communication is what we’d like to encourage with the CTN. We want to provide forums for discussion, where researchers can collaborate and benefit from the experience of others.”


These discussion forums, Dr. Durack says, will be crucial in changing the perception of how accessible research can be.


“If we have a community where IRs and stakeholders can communicate, share best practices and identify other collaborators, it will hopefully create the kind of shared learning that will enable IRs to elevate their abilities,” said Dr. Vedantham.


This network will be particularly important for those looking to create investigator-initiated studies.


“Many researchers in IR have participated in industry-led trials,” said Dr. Vedantham. “We test devices and see if they merit FDA approval. That’s very different from having an IR generate the hypothesis and protocol and launch a trial with no commercial intent.”


There is no barrier to entry or expected level of research experience for those interested in joining.


However, Dr. Vedantham stresses that these resources aren’t only for those conducting large-scale investigator- led studies.


“We want to see smaller studies,” he said. “These studies yield helpful data, help investigators learn to conduct trials from start to finish, and provide them with the data, experience and networks to apply to larger scale studies.”


The network is open to all IRs, organizers say, regardless of practice type.


“I encourage private practice to get involved, as the data from your practices is crucial to the science of our specialty,” said Dr. Krol. “And for private practices, getting involved in clinical trials can elevate your status with your hospital administration, your patients, your referring physicians and other constituents. It can be a new line for referrals to your practice.”


There is also interest in utilizing the network as a resource to elevate the capabilities and attractiveness of IR-led clinical studies that are seeking funding or other support from government agencies, foundations and industry, according to Dr. Vedantham.


Will it build connections with industry? According to organizers, there are multiple benefits for industry and corporate partners who join the network.


“They will have access to an established network of participating sites for trial concepts, expert level perspectives on research needs and opportunities in the IR community, and access to clinically engaged IRs,” Dr. Misra said.


“Collaboration with industry is central to our industry,” Dr. Durack said. “When industry partners feel more


engaged with the IR community, they feel like their voice is heard, and they can contribute ideas or research to registries.”


They are also often more willing to fund studies, he said, because they understand the data will serve their purposes as well as the investigator’s.


“I have found it’s very important to be in touch with what is happening in industry and clinical research organizations (CROs), as they’re often employing the most modern ways of implementing studies—which we may not hear about otherwise,” said Dr. Vedantham. “There are areas of academia that lag behind what’s happening in industry, so engaging with them can yield valuable insights into how to most effectively advance a research agenda. Clinical trials are challenging—often we need an ‘all- hands-on-deck’ approach to succeed.”


Is research experience necessary to join? There is no barrier to entry or expected level of research experience for those interested in joining, organizers say.


“This is open to pretty much any IR interested in studying and investigating,” said Dr. Vedantham. “We want to bring in younger IRs, because the earlier people elevate their insight and knowledge, the better set up they are for success. And the more motivated they become.”


This opportunity for mentorship is one of the most exciting benefits of the network, according to Drs. Vedantham and Durack.


“There is nothing more satisfying than being able to pass along your hard- won knowledge,” said Dr. Durack. “Even for those IRs who have more research experience, being part of the IR CTN is worth it just to be able to pass on your own education.”


“Mentorship is absolutely an area where we can do more,” said Dr. Vedantham. “We have a lot of people who have accomplished so much in our field. The IR CTN aspires to help them pass along their expertise and


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