A new initiative to track impact and TSBM outcomes across K12 scholars and pilot awardees at UIC

INTRODUCTION: The UIC CCTS supports a K12 scholar program and a pilot program that provide substantial funding, professional development, and access to consultative services to awardees. Understanding the impact and translational outcomes of this support is crucial to meeting CCTS's long-term objectives. METHODS: CCTS's Evaluation & Tracking (E&T) team has developed an impact-tracking initiative that will follow K12 scholars and pilot awardees throughout their awards and for 5 years after completion. During onboarding for their awards, scholars and awardees are trained on impact and the TSBM. They then complete an 8-question survey - modified from UC-Irvine's - that asks if they expect their project to have a TSBM outcome and when. Upon completion of their awards, scholars and awardees are asked to complete the survey again. The E&T team will then follow-up with scholars and awardees by interview at 18 months, 3 years, and 5 years to assess whether projects had any TSBM outcomes or other impacts. RESULTS: In the first year of the initiative, 100% of K12 scholars and pilot awardees received training. Due to a delay in approval from UIC's IRB, E&T was not able to administer the initial survey during onboarding, but 100% of K12 scholars and 66% of pilot awardees completed the survey shortly thereafter (overall completion rate = 81%). Of those who completed the survey, 78% expect a clinical and medical benefit from their project, 78% a community and public health benefit, 56% an economic benefit, and 22% a policy and legislative benefit. The majority of respondents expect to see their selected benefits within the next 5 years. DISCUSSION: Although new, this initiative is designed as a low-burden way to understand and track the impact of projects that receive substantial support from CCTS. CCTS will use this initiative to demonstrate the impact of CCTS support to funders and supporters across the university, statehouse, and nation.