M-CERSI Accepting Applications for Workshops, Research Scientists

The University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (M-CERSI) is now accepting requests for workshop topics in partnership with the FDA, as well as applications for the M-CERSI/FDA Research Scientist Collaboration program. The deadline for both submissions is January 22, 2021.

M-CERSI runs several workshops each year in partnership with/for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The topics are varied and, importantly, the FDA often chooses subjects as recommended by M-CERSI collaborators with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) or the University of Maryland, College Park. Any faculty who would like to suggest a workshop that would bring together academics, industrial partners, and FDA staff to address current issues that affect patient populations, product development/manufacture, post-market surveillance, or similar areas should download the flyer and application (.doc). M-CERSI co-PIs William E. Bentley (BIOE/Fischell Institute/IBBR) and James Polli (UMB) are available to help interested faculty connect with FDA subject matter experts if needed. Those who are interested should consider suggesting a topic in which they, themselves, are very interested. An FDA workshop on any given topic raises its visibility within the FDA and among those commercializing FDA-regulated products.

In addition to collaborative workshops, M-CERSI has a small program for connecting FDA scientists with UMD/UMB researchers. This program – the Research Scientist Collaboration Program – provides about $10,000/year to foster collaborations with an FDA researcher. Importantly, these collaborations can lead to sponsored research programs down the road. Those interested in this opportunity should download the flyer and application (.doc).

Questions about either of these opportunities should be directed to cersi@umd.edu.