The CRS is a resource that provides a physical location and expertise in research nursing, bionutrition, child neuro-developmental testing, sample processing, exercise physiology, and DEXA support.

The CRS is available to UCSF faculty members in the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. In conjunction with research units at the VA Medical Center in San Francisco, Tenderloin CRS in San Francisco, Kaiser Division of Research in Oakland, and the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, investigators may use the CRS services as well.

The CRS supports human-based translational research. Studies may involve either healthy volunteers or patients with specific diagnoses. We facilitate research in a broad area of medical disciplines including general internal medicine, internal medicine subspecialties, radiology, surgery, epidemiology, obstetrics, psychiatry, pediatrics and nursing.

Our submission schedule can be found on the CRS Advisory Committee Schedule page.

Yes. There will be one review by the Advisory Committee. However, you will need to meet with the staff at each of the sites where you want to conduct your project.

Yes. However all non-MD investigators such as PharmDs and PhDs must have an MD or Nurse Practitioner collaborator who will assume medical responsibility for the research participants. The CRS has two Nurse Practitioners on staff — one at SFGH, the other at the VA site.

Yes. The Advisory Committee will accept projects for review prior to or concurrent with the CHR approval process.

A CRS Protocol Utilization Form and CHR Full Committee Application (and approval if already obtained from CHR) are submitted to the CRS Protocol Manager who will coordinate the review by the CRS Advisory Committee. The investigative team works with the Protocol Manager during this process.

The application forms are available online on the Download CRS Forms section.

If you have CHR approval, you may request administrative approval to start the project prior to full review by the Advisory Committee. This would only be considered if you would miss a rare research opportunity.

All protocol modifications and renewals must be submitted to the CHR and copied to the CRS for review. If a protocol undergoes a major modification that includes changes to the CRS resource utilization, a second presentation to the Advisory Committee may be required.

The research team contacts the CRS prior to making arrangements with the research participant to insure that space is available. Scheduling depends on the availability of beds, staffing, and equipment. Site-specific instructions will be provided in the CRS protocol approval letter issued to the investigator.

It is the responsibility of the principal investigator or appropriate designate to obtain informed consent from the research participant prior to the commencement of a study.

The physician investigator is responsible for the medical care of research participants. Arrangements for emergency care must be formalized before study implementation.

Yes. Industry pays for the use of the CRS facilities and staff. Investigators who need skilled nursing or other support are encouraged to contact the CRS Administrator to inquire about the costs and support available. A budget prepared by the CRS site Administrative Director that covers all the costs of the entire research proposal utilizing CRS resources (nursing, bionutrition, sample processing, exercise physiology ) must be approved by the Investigator and sponsor company prior to final approval.

Investigators are encouraged to contact the Administrative Director to determine if current CRS resources can cover the cost conducting their research.  However, there is a fee for the conduct of any industry-initiated project. For Industry Study pricing, contact crsbudgetrequest@ucsf.edu.

The CRS does not have funds to cover ancillary testing performed in departments such as the clinical laboratory testing or radiology.

Not necessarily.  Although it is ideal to have NIH or other funding, not all research projects have funding.  If a study requires intensive use of resources, Investigators may be asked to share in the cost of such resources that are over and above our basic core level of support.

Investigators may be asked to support the CRS by providing staff and/or funds to offset the cost of the study.