ACTIVATE: Clinical Trial Activation Implementation Project
ACTIVATE is a coordinated implementation effort, announced in June 2026, focused on improving and accelerating the clinical trials activation process. This work supports key institutional goals to reduce activation timelines and aims to improve the overall experience for the research community.
The MCW Office of Research ACTIVATE InfoScope website is the central home for initiative updates, resources, guidance, workstream information, and communications as the project moves forward. This page is being updated frequently. Please check back for the latest news and information.
EPIC Research Module Resources and Information
This link is for MCW staff and Froedtert & MCW staff.
Froedtert ThedaCare OCRICC has been in place since 2008 and is responsible for providing administrative approval to conduct research in all of the Froedtert ThedaCare affiliates. This approval includes Medicare Coverage Analysis (MCA) for any services billed by a Froedtert ThedaCare Affiliate and validation of operational feasibility from the institution’s perspective. Even with IRB approval, a project requiring use of any Froedtert ThedaCare resource cannot begin activities without Froedtert ThedaCare's final administrative approval granted though OCRICC.
If you are unsure whether the resources involved in your project are Froedtert ThedaCare resources, are unclear exactly what resources you will need for your project or where to direct your research-related questions, we strongly recommend you contact OCRICC prior to your IRB submission at [email protected] or 414-805-4082 to discuss.
Any research that will be conducted in a Froedtert ThedaCare affiliate location and/or requires a Froedtert ThedaCare resource (i.e. hospital/technical services, staff/space resources or support from a Froedtert ThedaCare affiliate) is required to get Froedtert ThedaCare administrative approval from OCRICC. This activity is separate and distinct from MCW’s determination of whether an MCW department can support the research.
We have several guidance documents that provide additional assistance related to the request for administrative approval.
- Research Pricing Guidance
- Medicare Coverage Analysis Guidance
- Informed Consent Guidance
- Research Paid Services and Preauthorization Guidance
- Community Locations and Service Availability — Feasibility Planning Tool for Research Teams
- Research-Related Billing Issue Resolution Guidance
Fees for Industry-Sponsored Studies
As part of our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of research excellence, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency, Froedtert ThedaCare Health, Inc. (“Froedtert”) charges a standardized, one-time startup fee of $2,200 for industry-sponsored clinical trials conducted at our institution. This startup rate is effective for studies submitted for OCRICC Administrative Approval on or after May 1, 2025. The startup fee must be included in the trial budget. Our fee assessment methodology is modeled after the MCW IRB invoicing and waiver rules.
- Studies with any other funding source, including NIH, nonprofit or internally sponsored awards such as AHW, will not be charged.
- The fee will be invoiced to the investigator/MCW at the time the study is approved by OCRICC.
- There is no fee if a study does not complete start-up (if site is unable to negotiate budget, negotiate contract or enrollment ends before start-up is completed).
- A formal justification letter for sponsors can be found here.
