About ERPO

The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) Extramural Research Program Office (ERPO) facilitates extramural research prioritization, planning, and evaluation for both NCIPC and the National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; and ensures their extramural research portfolios are designed for maximum public health impact.

Why We Do Extramural Research

Injuries remain a leading cause of death for Americans of all ages, regardless of gender, race, or economic status (Leading Causes of Death by Age Group - United States 2006).

Medical spending due to injuries is of the same magnitude as costs associated with other leading public health concerns, such as obesity and smoking. Overall, injury-attributable medical costs for males is estimated at $59.8 billion and $57.4 billion for females (CDC Injury Fact Book).

At CDC’s Injury Center, we translate science into effective programs and policies that prevent unintentional and violence-related injuries and that minimize the consequences of injuries when they occur. Research is fundamental to our success because thorough, accurate data are essential in making sound, smart investments. Research provides the knowledge that we need to understand what is possible, what is not, and the best way to proceed in our intervention efforts (CDC Research Agenda 2009-2018).

Mission

ERPO plans, develops, coordinates, and evaluates extramural research activities of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. CDC has a public trust to use research dollars where they will have the maximum impact on public health. Good management of research involves three key steps:

1. Identification of research priorities.
2. Translation of these priorities into a balanced portfolio of intramural and extramural research.
3. Evaluation of research programs and outcomes. In addition, a fourth step is implied, i.e. the incorporation of lessons learned from evaluation into future prioritization and research.

Function

• Directs the extramural research program by planning, coordinating, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating extramural research that is designed to address Center priorities;
• Participates with divisions and offices within the Center to establish research priorities for the Center;
• Provides scientific leadership in the areas of extramural research supported by the Center;
• Promotes and prepares initiatives to stimulate extramural research in relevant priority areas;
• Coordinates and conducts in-depth external peer review and secondary program relevance review of extramural research applications by use of consultant expert panels;
• Makes recommendations to the Center Director on award selections and staff members serve as the program officials in conjunction with CDC grants management and policy officials to implement and monitor the scientific, technical, and administrative aspects of awards;
• Facilitates scientific collaborations between external and internal investigators;
• Disseminates and evaluates extramural research progress, findings, and impact;
• Assists OPHR in developing extramural research policies and oversees the implementation of those policies within the Center.