The Cerebral Palsy Research Network (CPRN) released a new webinar entitled “How to partner with CPRN to conduct multi-center research” today. The original webinar was conducted in January 2019 by CPRN Chairman Paul Gross, CPRN Data Coordinating Center Principal Investigator Jacob Kean, PhD, and CPRN Principal Investigator Michael Kruer, MD.  The webinar was developed to educate researchers on the capabilities of CPRN to conduct multi-center research and how a researcher can partner with CPRN to leverage its capabilities.  The benefits to the researchers include: 

1. Strengthen grant applications with CPRN preliminary data
2. Accelerate research through established network sites
3. Leverage integrated patient advisors.

“We are very excited to see how our open science approach has ignited new collaborations in research for cerebral palsy,” said CPRN Chairman Paul Gross.  “We expect five or more centers to join CPRN before the year’s end which would bring the total to 29 centers. This webinar and an upcoming Request for Applications opens the door for new types of research partnerships.”

The webinar’s release, here and on YouTube, is very timely as CPRN prepares its first Request for Applications in partnership with CPNOW, a foundation focused on community education and research funding and our community engagement partner.  The webinar describes the different types of studies that can be conducted with CPRN and the data management and analysis resources that it provides for investigators. 

Originally delivered as an instructional course at the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Development Medicine in the Fall of 2018, the webinar format makes the content accessible to everyone.  In the webinar, Dr. Kruer details how he partnered with CPRN to go to secure a multi-million-dollar grant from NIH for his CP genetics study.  We hope you watch and we welcome your feedback on how to make partnering with CPRN accessible and clear.