Clinical Study Registry (CSR)

Clarifying the Use of the Clinical Study Registry (CSR) and New Requirements for Registration of Clinical Trials:

Dear Pitt Investigators and Research Teams,

As part of our ongoing efforts to streamline clinical research operations across the University of Pittsburgh, we are issuing updated guidance on the use of the Clinical Study Registry (CSR).

This guidance applies to clinical trials involving Health Sciences investigators. It remains optional for all other groups.

What is the Clinical Study Registry (CSR)?

The CSR is a web-based portal designed to capture and manage information about all clinical trials.  A clinical trial is defined by NIH as “a research study in which one or more human subjects are prospectively assigned to one or more interventions (which may include placebo or other control) to evaluate the effects of those interventions on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes.”  The CSR provides a centralized, comprehensive view of our clinical trial portfolio and integrates with existing systems, including MyFunding, PittPRO, and the Pitt OnCore CTMS. By connecting these systems, the CSR enhances consistency, compliance, reporting, and collaboration across the research enterprise.

When to Register

New industry-sponsored clinical trials: Register in the CSR before submitting to MyFunding or PittPRO. Each trial will receive a unique CSR identifier (CSR**-*****) to include with submissions in other Pitt systems.

New federal, non-profit and other sponsored clinical trials: Register in the CSR upon receipt of the Notice of Award or at the time of the Just-in-Time (JIT) request for NIH proposals.

Who Should Register

Any clinical trial involving a Health Sciences investigator, regardless of whether they serve as the PI, must be registered in the CSR. At this time, registration is optional for trials conducted exclusively by non–Health Sciences investigators.

Support and Questions

The Clinical Trials Office (CTO) provides training and support for completing CSR registrations and addressing any questions. Please contact ctocal@pitt.edu for assistance.