Advancing Clinical Innovation for Veterans and Beyond

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Partner with the nation’s leading Veterans health research institute, the Northern California Institute for Research and Education, Inc. (NCIRE) at the San Francisco VA Healthcare System (SFVAHCS) —where world‑class science, comprehensive clinical services, and a diverse patient population drive breakthrough discoveries.

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Why Choose NCIRE?

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In 1988 Congress passed legislation that allowed the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs) to establish nonprofit research corporations (NPCs), forming a unique public/private partnership that dramatically broadened the VA’s ability to benefit from private and non-VA public support for research conducted at VA medical centers. The Northern California Institute for Research and Education, Inc. (NCIRE) is one of those NPCs.

 

In this legislation, Congress authorized VA medical centers to establish nonprofit research corporations to serve as flexible funding mechanisms for the conduct of approved research and education.

 

Since 1988, NCIRE-supported scientists and clinicians have been at the front lines of Veterans’ health research, developing novel treatments for the wide range of conditions that affect Veterans of all ages.

 

NCIRE is the leading private nonprofit research institute in the United States devoted to Veterans’ health. It supports the work of over 200 principal investigators at the San Francisco VA Health Care System.

 

NCIRE’s mission centers on translating research into clinical practice for Veterans and the broader public.

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SFVAHCS Key Strengths

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• Extensive Research Infrastructure at the SFVAHCS with supporting labs and clinical research operations.

• Largest VA Research Program: SFVAHCS hosts the largest competitively funded research program in the VA system in the United States with $105.6 million in research expenditures.

• Long-standing Academic Integration: Deep collaboration with UCSF Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Pharmacy.

 

Operational Readiness & Trial Management

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• Dedicated Clinical Trial Support: Experienced RN study coordinators and regulatory teams facilitate IRB submissions, VA review committees, and sponsor interactions

• Efficient IRB Pathways: Integration with commercial and UCSF IRBs supports timely reviews and site activation.

• Master Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA) and Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with many of the world leading pharmaceutical companies large and small.

• Data Management & Biostatistics: Access to academic data resources through the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) and UCSF partnership to ensure high‑quality data capture and analysis.

 

Patient Population & Recruitment Advantages

 

SFVAHCS serves more than 124,837 unique Veteran patients across Northern California, offering diverse demographics and clinical conditions suitable for targeted recruitment. From San Francisco north to the Oregon Border and east to the Reno, Nevada.

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• Diverse Veteran Cohorts: Representation across age, ethnicity, service eras, and comorbidities.

• High Prevalence Conditions: Elevated rates of PTSD, TBI, musculoskeletal issues, infectious diseases, cardiometabolic disorders, and mental health conditions align with sponsor pipelines.

• Stable Longitudinal Engagement: Veterans engaged in ongoing care provide reliable follow‑up and retention for outcomes research.

• Dedicated research pharmacist and laboratory services

• Established subject compensation programs including ClinCard and Tango Card Platforms.

 

VA System Advantages

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• Integrated Care Model: Primary, specialty, mental health, surgical, and rehabilitation services co‑located for complex protocols.

• Longitudinal Electronic Health Records: VA’s integrated EHR supports long‑term outcomes tracking and real‑world evidence generation (general VA advantage; reflect locally as appropriate).

• National Centers of Excellence on Campus: Epilepsy, Cardiac Surgery, PTSD, HIV, and Renal Dialysis provide specialized trial capabilities.

 

NCIRE and SFVAHCS Overview: Location, History, Clinical Services

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• Location: Main campus at 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, at the historic Fort Miley.

• History: Fort Miley: A military defense site designated in 1893; VA hospital opened in 1934; expanded through WWII and beyond.

• Clinical Services: Full‑service hospital with Emergency, ICU, Cardiology/Cardiac Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Hematology/Oncology, GI, Pulmonary, Infectious Disease, Movement Disorders, Dialysis, and more.

• NCIRE: Established in 1988 with 38 years strong with world class research administrators

 

Centers of Excellence & Areas of Therapeutic Expertise

 

SFVAHCS hosts nationally recognized centers and NCIRE supports broad therapeutic research.

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• Centers of Excellence: Epilepsy, Cardiac Surgery, PTSD, HIV, Renal Dialysis.

• Neurology: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, TBI, PTSD.

• Oncology: Cancer trials and translational programs.

• Cardiometabolic: Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney and liver diseases.

• Infectious Diseases: HIV, Hepatitis C, emerging pathogens.

• Respiratory: COPD and respiratory health.

• Mental & Behavioral Health: Depression, substance use disorders, suicide prevention.

• Musculoskeletal & Pain: Arthritis, pain management, prosthetics.

• Women’s Health, Hearing & Vision: Dedicated programs addressing gender‑specific and sensory health needs.

 

SFVAHCS’ Academic Partnership with UCSF

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SFVAHCS has been affiliated with the UCSF School of Medicine for over 50 years, with jointly recruited physicians and integrated training and research programs. This partnership brings leading academic expertise and infrastructure to industry trials.

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Demonstrated Research Activity & Track Record

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• NCIRE participates in both NIH and DoD ‑funded programs and industry collaborations, with multiple investigator‑initiated and sponsored clinical trials planned or underway.

• Experience across Phase II–IV clinical trials and real‑world evidence studies.

• Translational research that informs clinical practice across VA and broader health systems.

 

Geographic Advantage: San Francisco Bay Area

 

Situated in the heart of a global biotech and med‑tech hub, sponsors benefit from convenient access for monitoring visits, collaboration opportunities, and a rich talent pipeline.

 

Partner With Us

 

Join NCIRE and the San Francisco VA Health Care System in shaping the future of clinical innovation. Our research community is committed to accelerating breakthroughs that improve the lives of Veterans and advance global health.

 

Contact the NCIRE’s Office of Sponsored Research to discuss protocol feasibility, timelines, and next steps.

 

Mr. Newton Ong, Associate Director of Contracts and Compliance: Newton.ong@ncire.org or

Mr. Adan Pinedo, Contracts and Grants Specialist III, Adan.Pinedo@ncire.org     

 

NCIRE

4150 Clement Street, 151NC

San Francisco, CA 94121

415-750-6954

www.ncire.org