Research Offices

Below are some offices that may be able to aid you in your research process and proposals.  You may either click one of the bullet points below or scroll down to learn more about each office:

Research Development Services (RDS)

RDS is the GUMC focal point for development of sponsored research grant, contract and cooperative agreement proposals and applications.  

You can apply for a Mock Study Section, Speed Grant Review, Idea Lab, and more on the RDS page to help you with your research.

RDS staff members are available to assist GUMC investigators in identifying sponsored research funding opportunities and developing proposals and application packages in accordance with sponsor and University requirements. 

Institutional Review Board

The IRB is responsible for the review and approval of all research involving human subjects, as well as scientific validity and ethical review. On the IRB website, you can find information on CITI training, all the necessary forms and processes for your research, and important policies, procedures, and regulations related to research studies.

Office of Sponsored Research (OSR)

The Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) is the Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) and the only GUMC organization authorized to bind the Medical Center in sponsored research agreements. OSR is responsible for reviewing grant and contract applications for compliance with sponsor and University policies, in cooperation with other University administrative offices.  All research and training grant and contract applications, without exception, must be approved by the Director or Deputy Director of OSR or their designee, prior to submission. OSR works closely with Research Development Services (RDS), a “sister” office that supports GUMC investigators with opportunity identification, proposal development and submission, and sub-recipient and independent consultant collaborations.

Clinical Research Operations Office (CROO)

Georgetown University’s Clinical Trials Office (CTO), established in 2000, is now called the Clinical Research Operations Office (CROO). Their mission is to provide services to:

  • Georgetown researchers, assisting with study start-up and administration.
  • Patients and the general public, providing up-to-date information about ongoing clinical studies at Georgetown University Hospital Medical Center (GUMC).
  • Sponsors, helping them identify GU investigators for participation in their research. 

Office of Institutional Partnerships

The Office of Institutional Partnerships (OIP) in the Office of Advancement at Georgetown University serves as a university-wide liaison to coordinate and facilitate communications with corporate, foundation, and association donors. The OIP works across schools, units and departments that make up the Main, Medical Center and Law campuses at Georgetown. It provides comprehensive support to university programs, departments, faculty, and administrators as they pursue philanthropic grants and partnerships. 

Georgetown Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science (GHUCCTS)

The Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science (GHUCCTS) is a multi-institutional consortium of medical research institutions forged from a desire to promote clinical research and translational science. The members of the GHUCCTS consortium are: Georgetown University (GU), Howard University (HU), MedStar Health Research Institute (MHRI), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the Washington Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).

Through multiple partnerships and collaborations among the member institutions, GHUCCTS is transforming clinical research and translational science in order to bring new scientific advances to health care. 

Office of Technology Commercialization

The responsibilities of the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) include management of Georgetown inventions from the disclosure stage through patenting and licensing, oversight of material transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, as well as research collaboration agreements and working with faculty entrepreneurs to establish startup companies.  They should be contacted prior to the public disclosure of any new invention.

Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM)

The Georgetown University Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) oversees the Research Resource Facility (RRF) which supports animal research and teaching activities for the Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) and the Main Campus. 

The DCM’s mission is to provide state of the art facilities and quality animal care to support biomedical research and teaching missions of the University, and to comply with all applicable animal welfare regulations and guidelines. DCM also advises and educates researchers, staff and students on animal models and biomethodology while promoting best practices for the responsible use of animals.

Clinical Research Management Office (CRMO)

The Clinical Research Management Office (CRMO) provides administrative, nursing, and data management support for cancer treatment clinical trials conducted by Lombardi Investigators. This includes all regulatory documents, IRB submissions, budget and contract negotiations, consenting of subjects, case management of patients while on study, side effect management, completion of case report forms, meeting with monitors, maintaining trial information on Lombardi website, design of electronic case report forms for institutional trials.

Office of Research Oversight/Regulatory Affairs

The Office of Research Oversight (ORO) was formed in November 2018 to reflect Georgetown University’s ongoing commitment to consolidate and harmonize research compliance activities across all campuses. Reporting jointly to the Medical Center Dean for Research and the Main Campus Vice Provost for Research, ORO’s activities are primarily concentrated in the areas of conflict of interest; export controls; research misconduct; and responsible conduct of research; and includes the new Office of Research Quality Assurance (ORQA). ORO’s mission is to facilitate basic science research and protect the safety and welfare of human subjects participating in research and clinical trials by ensuring that all activities are conducted in a legally and ethically compliant environment.

GUMC Shared Resources and Partnership

GUMC Shared Resources and Partnership allow GUMC scientists to pool their equipment, technicians and knowledge for the benefit of all. This program is in place to provide cost effective access to state-of-the-art technologies. New shared resources are continually being developed and brought online.

Research Committee

The Research Committee is comprised of investigators from across GUMC and provides meaningful feedback and counsel to the Dean for Research. One of its roles is to review all new Centers & Institutes and make recommendations to the Dean regarding the research plan and future viability. It performs a similar function for existing centers and institutes. The Research Committee engages in faculty recognition, strategic planning, and discussions about how to provide the best services to fellow researchers. The Committee seeks new members annually and encourages mid-career and senior faculty to inquire about serving.

Office of Environmental Health & Safety

The Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) manages Chemical Safety Programs and General Laboratory Safety for the Medical Center, in addition to the Biological, Radiation, Controlled Substances and Laser Safety Programs university wide.  GUMC affiliated satellite facilities in the DC Metro area are also supported by EH&S. Please check with your departmental leader to see if you need to complete any trainings with EH&S. 

Radiology Research Feasibility Process

The department of radiology has introduced a new process to ensure they are able to support state-of-the art imaging for clinical trials.  The process, described below, is effective immediately and is very straightforward.