IHS Announces Funding Available for National Native Health Research Training Initiative

The Indian Health Service today announced the funding opportunity for a new project, the National Native Health Research Training Initiative. When awarded, this cooperative agreement will help build capacity and share best practices in American Indian and Alaska Native health research and will promote tribally driven research through education and training opportunities. The award amount is approximately $225,000 per year for a project period of up to five years.

"Community-based research on American Indian and Alaska Native health status is critical to address health disparities and ensure the delivery of evidence-based, quality care to patients," said IHS Principal Deputy Director Mary L. Smith. "Just as the IHS works to build the American Indian and Alaska Native health care delivery workforce through various programs, this initiative will help expand the community of American Indian and Alaska Native researchers and enhance the ability of tribes to participate in and initiate research projects that address specific needs in their communities. As a result, culturally appropriate best and promising practices can be shared and replicated throughout the Indian health system."

The funding opportunity is open to a national membership organization of American Indian and Alaska Native scientists, researchers and students. The organization selected will further the IHS research program objectives with expanded outreach and education efforts for American Indian and Alaska Native students, faculty and health professionals. More details and the deadline for application are available in the funding opportunity announcement here [PDF].

Project objectives include:

Increasing development and training opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native scientists, health professionals and students to learn and share findings from scientifically meritorious research and explore methods for further study and evaluation of practice-based projects.
Enhancing tribal academic collaborations and improving the ability of Tribes to use research findings to address the needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Reducing health disparities among American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Promoting health research methods to better understand the effects of traditional Indian medicine, indigenous knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge on American Indian and Alaska Native health.

In addition to the project objectives, the awardee will develop regular conference training for health professionals and tribal leaders about health research methods, findings and best practices to meet the needs and advance the health and health care of American Indian and Alaska Native people.

Other IHS research initiatives include the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program , offered in partnership with the National Institutes of Health. The NARCH initiative supports partnerships between American Indian and Alaska Native tribes or tribal organizations and institutions that conduct intensive academic-level biomedical research. NARCH provides opportunities for conducting research, research training and faculty development to meet the needs of Native communities, while building the research infrastructure and capacity of those communities.

The cooperative agreement is offered through IHS Division of Planning, Evaluation and Research. The Division coordinates agency strategic planning and organizes reporting on performance, budgeting and program activities. The Division also provides guidance on program evaluation to health programs with a focus on systems and performance improvement, supports the use of data and evidence in health system improvement and management decision-making and supports health research nationally, including research related to health problems and the delivery of quality care to American Indian and Alaska Native people.

The IHS, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.