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Limited institutional funds are available for Fred Hutch-led studies that need translation after use of the short form consent process with a non-English speaking participant—but only when translation costs cannot already be covered by the study budget.
Before Requesting Bridge Funding
Before requesting bridge funding, investigators must first confirm whether existing funds can cover the translation costs:
- Industry-sponsored studies: Translation costs should already be included in the budget as part of the industry fee letter requirement, effective January 2024, unless the sponsor only provides the drug.
- Grant-funded studies: Translation costs are generally allowable direct costs for most NIH awards. For other awards, check the sponsor-specific terms. If needed, investigators may be able to re-budget or request supplemental funds.
How to Request Fred Hutch Bridge Translation Funding
Once you have exhausted other available funding options and determined that the study’s funds cannot cover the translation costs, you may request bridge funding using the steps below:
- Request a translation estimate from Collaborative Data Services using the REDCap intake form.
- Complete the Translation Bridge Funding Request Form (for Research) and attach the CDS estimate.
- An advisory group will review the request to confirm that it meets the criteria for bridge funding.
- You will be notified by email whether the request is approved or denied.
- If approved, a budget number will be provided to charge translation fees.
Bridge funding is generally intended for translations required after a participant has been consented using the short form process. Please do not request bridge funding before a participant has enrolled.
NOTE: UW-led studies should review the UW’s resource, Language Access Bridge Funding – Office of Healthcare Equity. If UW-led oncology research requires translation that you’ve confirmed cannot be covered by UW’s fund, you may then apply for Fred Hutch institutional funding.
For questions about this process, contact the IRO at request@fredhutch.org.
Limited institutional funds are available to help cover translation costs for studies that do not already have translation costs budgeted. Investigators should first seek sponsor or study funds before requesting bridge funding. An advisory group will review requests and make final funding decisions.
UW-led studies should review the UW’s resource Language Access Bridge Funding – Office of Healthcare Equity. If oncology research requires translation that you’ve confirmed cannot be covered by UW’s fund, you may then apply for Fred Hutch institutional funding.
Example translation costs are available on the ITIS at CDS service sheet. You may also use the ITIS REDCap intake form to request a translation estimate.
Investigators should include translation costs in study budgets whenever translation may be needed. Industry-sponsored studies negotiated since January 2024 should already include translation costs in the budget.
The institution hopes to continue supporting translation funds beyond the current fiscal year, consistent with its commitments to inclusion and equity and the need to provide translated consent materials.
Bridge funding is expected to be used most often for unfunded studies and investigator-initiated trials where the sponsor only provides the drug.
If a study team expects to enroll participants who speak a particular non-English language (e.g., Spanish), the study team is expected to plan and budget for translation of the consent and related materials in advance. Bridge funding is generally intended for unexpected situations in which non-English speaking participants enroll and the short for process is used. Bridge funding is not intended to cover translation costs that could have been anticipated during study planning and budgeting.
Other Questions
What if I have other questions?
If you have additional questions that are not addressed above, please contact:
| Topic | Contact |
| Fred Hutch bridge funds for translation costs | request@fredhutch.org |
| Translation services, including quotes for translation costs from Fred Hutch CDS | Angela Carvajal at acarvaja@fredhutch.org Or use the intake form: https://redcap.link/fhcctranslationrequest |
| Fred Hutch short form consent process | IRO@fredhutch.org |
| UW bridge funds for translation costs | Contact ohce@uw.edu and Juliana Garcia (garcia00@uw.edu) with “Language Access Bridge Funding” in the subject line. |