Program Overview

The Foundations of Clinical Research (FCR) program is rooted in the belief that clinical research training is critical to professional development in health care. Clinical research training not only creates potential independent investigators, but also enables clinicians to advance their careers through a greater understanding of research evidence.

Designed to provide learners with the foundational knowledge and skill sets required to produce high-quality clinical research, our program will lay the fundamental groundwork in epidemiology and biostatistics required for a multifaceted career in clinical research.

The overarching goal of the Foundations of Clinical Research program is to equip the next generation of researchers with the skill sets essential to evaluating evidence, understanding biostatistics, and beginning their clinical research careers. Our aim is to ensure that learners develop a strong foundation in the design, implementation, analysis and interpretation of clinical research studies.

Medical students writing
Valuable Real-World Training for Clinician-Scientists

  • Program Objectives

    After completing this program, learners will be able to: 

    • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the foundational concepts of biostatistics and epidemiology
    • Apply the core concepts of biostatistics and epidemiology
    • Develop a research question and formulate a testable hypothesis
    • Design and begin to implement a clinical research study
    • Cultivate the skills required to present a clinical research study
    • Critically evaluate the research findings in medical literature
    • Synthesize crucial statistical analyses using Stata software
    • Evaluate the ethical principles relevant to clinical research
    • Enroll in Optional Advanced learning modules (Scientific Writing, Advanced Stata, Machine Learning)

Workshop Dates

Workshop 1: June 5–6, 2021 | Live Virtual

Workshop 2: September 18–19, 2021 | Live Virtual

Workshop 3 & Graduation: January 8–9, 2022 | Live Virtual

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Ebrahim Barkoudah teaching a class
8 Elements of a Successful Clinical Research Career

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The 2021–2022 FCR Program

During the program, our innovative active learning approach emphasizes the traditional tutorial system with weekly live video tutorials, seminars and symposia anchored by 3 intense weekend online workshops. Learners are supported by recorded online lectures on core content available at the time and place best suited to their needs.

Upon fulfilling the FCR program requirements, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. You also will become an Associate Member of the Harvard Medical School and Harvard University Alumni Associations, and will be invited to attend FCR program alumni events throughout the year.

The Foundations of Clinical Research program provides the essential skill sets and fundamental knowledge required to begin or expand your clinical research career. Our scholars build a strong foundation in the fundamentals of clinical research, putting them on the pathway to take advanced courses that hone these skills.