Abstract:

ICRC Academy of Clinical Research is an educational concept focused on systematic work with students from universities, colleges and secondary schools in the area of clinical research. Its main objective is to introduce to the students the work opportunities in the field of science and research and perspectives of their personal growth.

ICRC Academy is a part of the project called "FNUSA-ICRC Science for Health: Promoting the popularization of medical research," which is dedicated to the popularization of research activities in the field of life-sciences. The project, implemented by the International Clinical Research Centre (FNUSA-ICRC) of the St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, is co-financed from the European Social Fund and the state budget of the Czech Republic through the Operational Programme Education for Competitiveness.

Undergraduate education is not focused on research and it is hardly ever taught at secondary schools and universities in the Czech Republic. The long-term experience of FNUSA-ICRC researchers confirms that there is a need to motivate young people for scientific career much earlier than during, or even after the end of studies at universities. At the same time we are facing the demand for graduates who are however attracted by the careers in private sector represented by pharmaceutical companies, private clinics, etc. Result of this all is lack of talented students interested in career in the field of clinical research at (university) hospitals.

ICRC Academy offers a solution to this situation: a unique platform for students where they can get information about further education and moreover about work options in this specific field. Academy is a structured concept how to motivate and involve students in research activities of the FNUSA-ICRC with the aim to attract them to science and research and teach them new skills from this field, e.g. how to write a research proposal.

ICRC Academy includes the following activities:
- Lecture Road-Show at universities - a series of about 10 lectures at universities in the Czech Republic. The goal is to introduce clinical research activities of the ICRC to the students in an attractive way and motivate them for participation in ICRC Clinical Research Seminar.
- ICRC Clinical Research Seminar - 3-days workshop full of lectures and excursions that gives the participants a chance to get deeper information on medical research. Each seminar is designed for approx. 50 students selected based on CV and covering letter, or on task defined in advance. The best students, chosen according to the results in the final competition and to the personal interviews with representatives of the research teams, are offered a working contract - position of Clinical Research Assistant.
- Clinical Research Assistant – a contract for the chosen student who gets a chance to become a part of the research team under the guidance of a mentor (an experienced FNUSA-ICRC researcher). The students are actively involved in the publishing activities and have the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of an international conference.

Conclusion:
ICRC Academy was begun in June 2012. Since that time, 15 lectures for secondary school and university students, with 562 participants, took place, 2 ICRC clinical research seminars were organized and approximately 20 graduates have already started to actively participate in clinical research within FNUSA-ICRC.

Keywords:

ICRC Academy, FNUSA-ICRC, clinical research, education, students, project.