The role of centers in fostering interdisciplinary research.

This article describes the history of the University of Washington School of Nursing (UW-SON) Center for Women's Health and Gender Research (CWHGR) and its role in helping initiate and sustain interdisciplinary research. The growing focus on the need for interdisciplinary research has made it imperative that nursing scientists collaborate with colleagues in other health-related fields including medicine, public health, dentistry, and social work. The CWHGR increased interdisciplinary research activities through mentorship of faculty and trainees, the creation of core laboratory facilities, the award of pilot grant funding focused on interdisciplinary collaboration, consultation on research design and methods both within and outside the UW-SON, and the utilization of the Human Response Model for both biobehavioral and sociocultural research collaboration. Accomplishments as well as lessons learned related to interdisciplinary research during the 19 years of the UW-SON CWHGR are highlighted.