The Clinical Research Forum was established in 1996 to provide a forum for discussions of the unique and complex challenges to clinical research among the senior clinical research leadership of leading academic health and science systems (AHASs). Over the past decade, it has convened these senior thought leaders in clinical research annually and has continued to provide a unique forum for discussion of common issues across the full spectrum of clinical and translational research. The presence of the Forum has enabled the sharing of best practices in clinical research, provided a unique opportunity for meaningful policy dialogues among this leadership, and increasingly, played a national advocacy role in support of the broader interests and needs of clinical research. The Forum’s growing support is comprised of the nation’s leading academic health centers and has expanded to include other not-for-profit organizations, information technology and pharmaceutical firms, government leaders, industry and foundations that share goals for addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our nation’s clinical research enterprise. The Forum is committed to working collaboratively in those areas where it is uniquely positioned to have a significant impact.