IMPACT Design and Statistics Core member Keith Goldfeld, DrPH, MS, MPA, has created a blog series exploring an analytic method called Targeted Minimum Loss Estimation (TMLE). TMLE is among causal inference approaches—methods first developed for observational data, but increasingly relevant for randomized trials as well. In particular, Dr. Goldfeld is digging into what TMLE can (and can’t) offer for cluster randomized trials, including stepped-wedge designs.

In this series, Dr. Goldfeld explores TMLE’s use in the context of cluster randomized trials generally and stepped-wedge trials more specifically. One of the challenges of this method for regular users is the underlying theory of the method and the math that goes along with it. In this blog series Dr. Goldfeld works through the theory to get a better understanding of it.

Getting to the bottom of TMLE: influence functions and perturbations | Posted on February 5, 2026

Getting to the bottom of TMLE: the (almost) vanishing nuisance interaction | Posted on March 2, 2026

Getting to the bottom of TMLE: forcing the target to behave | Posted on March 9, 2026

Read the ongoing series here.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) Imbedded Pragmatic Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) Clinical Trials (IMPACT) Collaboratory is pleased to announce a Request for Applications  for the 2026 Health Care Systems Scholars Program.

The IMPACT Collaboratory will fund up to two Health Care Systems Scholar Awards. Each award will provide $120,000 in total direct costs for a one-year mentored experience designed to support immersion of investigators (MD, PhD, or equivalent) within a health care system to foster durable partnerships, advance system-informed research priorities, and lay the groundwork for future embedded pragmatic clinical trials in dementia care.

Through funded, protected time embedded within a health care system, scholars build collaborative partnerships, gain a strong understanding of system priorities, clinical workflows and data infrastructures, and co-design interventions and implementation strategies that align with real-world needs, enhancing readiness for future pilot or full-scale ePCTs.

Each scholar will complete a mentored project in collaboration with the HCS that focuses on identifying system priorities in dementia care and co-designing an intervention and implementation strategy to address those needs, preparing the partnership for an ePCT. Scholars will also participate in monthly meetings of the Health Care Systems Core, peer-learning sessions, and research-in-progress seminars. In addition, they will have opportunities to engage in the activities of the IMPACT Collaboratory, including Grand Rounds, training opportunities, and annual meetings that foster interdisciplinary exchange, professional development, and methodological advancement.

The Health Care Systems (HCS) Scholars Program supports researchers in partnering with a health care system or organization that provides care for people living with dementia or their care partners to:

1. Build meaningful relationships with HCS staff at all levels, from frontline clinicians and direct care providers to system leaders.
2. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the health care system, including staff-identified needs of people living with dementia and care partners, organizational priorities, clinical workflows, data infrastructure, and processes for implementing new programs.
3. Engage HCS staff in identifying opportunities to improve and/or evaluate dementia care and enhance understanding of what it means to conduct embedded pragmatic clinical trials (ePCTs) within their setting(s).
4. Co-develop a research proposal for an ePCT aimed at improving care for people living with dementia and care partners.

Eligible individuals include MD, PhD, or equivalent investigators – typically mid-career or approaching mid-career – with an established or developing focus on conducting ePCTs for PLWD and their care partners.  Candidates are required to apply with an identified health care system and be affiliated with an organization based in the United States (US) and be US citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents at the time of application. No research may be conducted outside of the US.

Informational Webinar

An optional informational webinar will be hosted to provide investigators with an overview of application details and an opportunity to ask questions. Pre-registration is required.

Thursday, February 26, 2026 @ 12:00 PM ET

Letters of Intent (LOI) – Required

Interested applicants are required to submit an LOI on or before April 2, 2026 @ 8:00 PM ET.

Full Proposals (By invitation only)

Applications selected for further consideration will be invited to submit a full proposal due May 21, 2026 @ 8:00 PM ET.

Read the full RFA here.

Learn more about our previous Health Care Systems Scholar Awardees here.

If you have any questions about this funding opportunity, please email IMPACTcollaboratory@hsl.harvard.edu.

Materials from the NIH Pragmatic Trials’ “Dissemination and Implementation in Embedded Pragmatic Trials: Science‑Powered Strategies to Sustain and Spread Effective Interventions” workshop at the 18th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health are now available online.

The session featured two IMPACT members: multiple principal investigator Vince Mor, PhD, who presented on post‑trial sustainment or deimplementation of study interventions, and Stephanie Morain, PhD, MPH, co‑chair of the Ethics & Regulatory Core, who addressed ethical and regulatory considerations and post‑trial obligations.

Access Dr. Mor’s presentation here. Access Dr. Morain’s presentation here. For the full conference materials, click here.