Cross-sectoral and cross-agency team science: successful strategies from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) intramural Division of Preclinical Innovation (DPI) has employed since its inception a team-based scientific research model that emphasizes interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborations to advance its mission to develop biomedical treatments for patients faster. The team-based scientific approach creates a collaborative research environment and has been credited with driving NCATS DPI success. This article analyzed the organizational policies, structures and processes that support the team science environment at DPI. Two case studies are presented to highlight implementation strategies and broadly applicable key principles that have enabled team science success. These key principles include: Coordination of Operations, Stakeholder Engagement and Communication, Risk Management and Strategic Decision-Making, Progress Assessment and Resource Monitoring, Alignment of Program Expectations, Nimble Cross-partner Approaches, the Ability to Expand or Redefine Program/Project Scope, and Embracing Innovation. Although presented in the context of these two cases, the key principles are broadly applicable across a wide range of collaborations, and team-based science initiatives more generally. By sharing these examples of team science in practice, and the key principles that support success, NCATS aims to support theoretical developments and innovation in the science of team science and translational research.