EVALUATION OF THE CENTRE OF CLINICAL RESEARCH EXCELLENCE (CCRE) IN NEUROSCIENCES AT MID- POINT OF NHMRC FUNDING Lefevere K S and Dunt D* Department of Medicine, Austin Health/Northern Health, The University of Melbourne; *Program Evaluation Unit, School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne VIC Introduction The CCRE in Neurosciences funded by NHMRC is a multi-disciplinary model focusing on producing clinical research, training and education into stroke, epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Methodology 1. Capacity audit at the start and midpoint of the program 2. Overall Strategic Plan 3. Extent of change between 2003 and 2005 measured Results Research and translation of findings : Major increase in average impact factors of refereed articles (30 %). Modest increase in overall number of journal articles (5%), but very large increase (90%) in multi-disciplinary journal articles. Increase in the overall number of external grants (12%) with a major increase in multi-disciplinary grants (25%). All but one outreach activities increased dramatically. Teaching : A novel teaching course in clinical research was developed. 98 students took up the pilot non-accredited course. An accredited course with the University of Melbourne was established in Training: An increase in all students (14%) A large increase in all (71%) and multidisciplinary student publications (267%) An increase in all (21%) and multidisciplinary (13%) student grants and scholarships. A decrease in multidisciplinary students (20%). A decrease in all (16%) and multidisciplinary (13%) student conference presentations. Goals of the CCRE in Neurosciences 1. International quality clinical research 2. Enhance and encourage multi-disciplinary research 3. Teach clinical neuroscience research methodology 4. Research training and career development 5. Attract outstanding scientists to the campus 6. Continually evaluate its outcomes through external evaluation Conclusions Midpoint results are good. Particularly pleasing are the integration of students with background in neurology, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc. and the major increases in all and multi- disciplinary student publications, the number of multi- disciplinary journal articles and in the average impact factors of refereed articles. Increases in capacity meet or substantially exceed their targets. Capacity audit at endpoint will determine to what extent the overall goals have been achieved and possibly detect any breakdowns. This may identify how the program can be improved in the future and be applied more widely. Sustainability will be the challenge. The midpoint evaluation was a central part of the funding grant and aimed to assess growth in multi-disciplinary research, training and education. The multi-disciplinary team is headed by four Chief Investigators: Prof. Geoff Donnan, Head of Austin Neurology Department and Director of the National Stroke Research Institute; Prof. Sam Berkovic AM, Director of the Epilepsy Research Centre; Prof. Mary Galea, Director of the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre (Physiotherapy); and Prof. Judy Parker AM, Nursing (see photo).