NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

WREN: Expanding Research Capacity in Rural Primary Care Clinics

Official title: The Wisconsin Research and Education Network (WREN): Expanding Research Capacity in Rural Primary Care Clinics

Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11618649 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A nationwide network in Wisconsin will strengthen rural primary care clinics to participate in real-world research and bring more clinical trials to communities.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project startSeptember 18, 2026
Project endSeptember 17, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$2,066,174
NIH project number4OT2OD038373-02
Project IDNIH-11618649 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Rural patients receiving care in participating primary care clinics who are interested in contributing to research opportunities.

Less likely to help

Patients in non-participating clinics or those not engaging with research opportunities may not benefit directly.

What this research studies

This project builds on decades of experience in rural primary care research to expand the Wisconsin Research and Education Network’s ability to partner with rural clinics. It will enhance infrastructure, collaboration, and co-design processes so clinics can participate in NIH-supported studies. Through regular meetings and capacity-building activities, rural clinics will be prepared to engage in pragmatic trials, implementation science projects, and community-engaged research. The effort is centered in the UW-Madison system and linked CTSA resources to sustain long-term partnerships with rural communities.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Patients in rural communities could gain faster access to cutting-edge trials and improved care through research-informed practices.

How similar studies have gone: Previous PBRN initiatives have successfully conducted pragmatic trials and community-engaged research in rural settings, demonstrating feasibility and impact.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Madison, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Schrager, Sarina B — University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Study coordinator: Schrager, Sarina B

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.