Investigator-initiated (II) research is a term used to denote projects that are not industry-sponsored and usually relate to investigations that have a more purely scientific/medical significance than those with commercial endpoints.

II research is frequently able to answer a clinical question without a significant budget or infrastructure--such as a retrospective chart study--but sometimes can be quite resource-intensive.

II research requires careful budget planning, technical and instrumental resources and Internal Review Board (IRB) approval. ICTCR is available to facilitate the connection of Mercy physicians with resources available in partnering institutions.

II research collaborates wtih several partnerships. DMU provides medical students who are interested in assisting with II projects, and Drake University School of Pharmacy involves students and faculty in pharmacology projects.

ICTCR is eager to assist in planning for research projects, budgeting and arranging access to the resources available in partner institutions.