NCTR Strategic Plan

In support of FDA’s mission to promote and protect public health, NCTR’s Strategic Plan focuses on three strategic goals:

The previous NCTR Strategic Plan was comprised of five key goals. With 60% of NCTR’s workforce eligible to retire in the next five years, NCTR senior leadership identified two new key goals: 1) the development and continuing education of our scientists to maintain a highly skilled regulatory science workforce and 2) and a commitment to outreach and collaboration to strengthen NCTR for the future. NCTR also recognized the need to increase the visibility of the regulatory research science at the FDA Center that provides scientific input to agency public-health decisions. The NCTR Strategic Plan, 2009-2013, had three science goals which have been consolidated into one overarching goal to advance scientific approaches and tools critical for FDA to translate science into regulation and public health. Within goal one, we identify specific objectives, each of which highlights the cross-center nature of our research involving multiple divisions and interdisciplinary expertise to address complex science issues for FDA.

 

Goal 1: Advance scientific approaches and tools necessary to support public health

NCTR conducts innovative research and develops and validates new tools to promote efficient regulatory processes and individualized public-health decisions. NCTR conducts a full range of premarket and preclinical safety studies in support of FDA’s product portfolio including foods, cosmetics, dietary supplements, human and animal drugs, and devices. Study designs are peer-reviewed by FDA experts from academia and/or industry and customized for each project. Studies integrate comprehensive toxicology assessments and include the use of emerging technologies such as genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, bioimaging, and mathematical modeling.

 

Goal 2: Improve NCTR’s internal and external communications and increase the visibility of NCTR’s scientific research, resources, and accomplishments

NCTR will increase its use of a broad range of communication tools to include publications, print media, and visual media. In addition, NCTR will support the e-government initiative by increasing the use of Web communications to include traditional Web sites and the integration of Web 2.0 tools. The expansion of its communications infrastructure will allow NCTR to communicate globally and allow for more robust collaborations within NCTR and within FDA, and also with other government, academic, and industry groups.

NCTR will expand its efforts to communicate research results to the global research community and the general public/consumers. NCTR’s relationships with the other FDA Centers will be strengthened, and its communication capabilities will continue to become more diverse and robust to meet the future and demanding needs of FDA and the public.

 

Goal 3: Recruit, retain, and train experts critical to support regulatory science

NCTR scientists support FDA’s regulatory activities by providing technical expertise in the interpretation of data, the development and harmonization of guidelines, and by participating in national and international scientific work groups and advisory panels. FDA’s success in achieving its mission requires a well-trained scientific staff whose expertise and skills are optimally used to address the complex issues associated with FDA-regulated products. As part of its mission of conducting research, NCTR provides FDA and the regulatory community with technical expertise, consultation, and training. NCTR plans to expand existing programs that train a diverse mix of health researchers. The intent is to provide a well-trained, highly motivated cadre of scientists and regulators fully engaged in the science that is vitally needed by FDA to promote public health.