Free Courses
ITM offers free educational programming to prepare researchers at every career stage — from
foundational courses in clinical research ethics and methods to specialized seminars in informatics,
career development, and translational science. Explore our programs below and take the next step in
your research journey.
Essentials of Patient Oriented Research (EPOR)
The Essentials of Patient-Oriented Research (EPOR) is a crash course in how to conduct clinical research. Get
practical guidance from senior researchers and learn how to design and conduct a successful study.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) course provides practical guidance on the ethical and
professional issues researchers may encounter throughout the research process. Participants will explore
topics such as conflicts of interest, research misconduct, the ethical treatment of animals, intellectual property,
and other areas related to the responsible conduct of research.
CAREER AWARD WRITING WORKSHOP (KWW)
Experts demystify the K application process and give you individualized feedback on your grant and what makes or
breaks your application. While it’s not a replacement for a committed mentor, it will give you the necessary skills for
creating a strong application in a supportive environment.
Informatics Seminars
The Center for Research Informatics (CRI) hosts free seminars that are open to everyone and cover a variety
of topics for every skill level. Learn about informatics research tools and techniques, research in the fields of
bioinformatics and computational life sciences, all while fostering collaboration with a broad audience for
feedback on current research.
Advanced Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
Advanced CBPR classes give you the roadmap and skills to involve community members in all stages of the
research process, giving both academic researchers and the general public equal input in everything from
study design to the best ways to recruit trial participants. This free, six-session course is held each Fall, Winter,
and Spring quarter to put researchers at the forefront of community partnerships and transparent research.
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SOCRA
To support your preparation for the Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) exam, ITM offers a study prep
course. The course is 5 sessions over a ten week period. Connect with an ITM Local Navigator to learn more.
Translational Science Courses & Degrees
The ITM and The Center for Health and the Social Sciences created the Committee on Clinical and
Translational Science (CCTS), an independent academic unit within the University of Chicago’s Biological
Sciences Division (BSD), to offer dynamic, multidisciplinary courses for all ITM members across Chicagoland.
Courses are open to undergraduates, graduate-level trainees, postdoctoral fellows, junior and senior faculty
and staff, and fellow CTSA institutes at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).
Career Scholar Seminars
Career Scholar (K) Seminars are open to K Scholars at all five ITM institutions and offer you the chance to learn about
resources to accelerate your career and hear renowned researchers share how they got to be where they are today and
ways they overcame obstacles. From science communications training to external funding sources to incorporating
informatics into your work, K seminars will connect you with the skills and tools needed to jump-start your career. These
monthly sessions are intended for and required for those recipients of the NIH Career (K) Development Awards
administered by the ITM.
