The ICTuS research training program is designed to support Peruvian neurologists and related health professionals in the development of research and clinical care skills to enhance knowledge and care in the field of cerebrovascular diseases in Peru. The overarching goal of ICTuS is to reduce morbidity and mortality of cerebrovascular disease in Peru through identifying environmental, lifestyle and host risk factors for stroke and collaborating with governmental and academic institutions to develop policies to decrease population-level risk factors identified through this program. To attain this goal we have the following specific aims:

1. Provide rigorous clinical research methodological training for promising young physicians in cerebrovascular neurology and rehabilitation medicine who will design and conduct independent research on the epidemiology and etiology of cerebrovascular diseases and eventually develop and lead independent research programs in Peru.
2. Support mentored clinical research projects for these trainees to provide practical experiences in clinical research and obtain pilot data for future grant applications.
3. Build alliances between academic institutions and the Peruvian Ministry of Health to facilitate development and implementation of policy strategies to translate research findings into improved public health relevant to cerebrovascular disease.

The vast network of Peruvian colleagues trained through prior Fogarty-funded training programs provides an outstanding opportunity to leverage existing research and training expertise to expand capacity to address the increasing burden of chronic diseases, specifically cerebrovascular disease, in Peru.