# Improving Health Research Skills for AI/AN Students and Fellows

> **NIH NIH S06** · NORTHWEST PORTLAND AREA INDIAN HLTH BD · 2021 · $519,370

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Marked differences in infectious and chronic disease incidence and mortality rates have been documented
among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes nationwide compared to U.S. whites, and most
health indicators show that AI/AN people have comparatively poor health status. Although substantial
research has been directed toward understanding reasons for high disease rates and health disparities
among AI/AN people, involvement by AI/AN researchers in most of these studies has been particularly
infrequent. Because cultural factors are central to the design and implementation in many clinical,
behavioral, or population-based studies, increasing the involvement of AI/AN peoples to carry out effective
research in AI/AN populations should be a priority concern. The program described in this application will
increase the research capabilities of AI/AN investigators to carry out well-designed investigations within
AI/AN populations and in other settings. Experienced epidemiologists, biostatisticians, ethicists, and other
researchers at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (the Board), Oregon Health & Science
University, and Portland State University will offer an individually-tailored training program for qualified AI/AN
researchers at different levels—including graduate students, health professions students, and Board
employees. The training program will introduce participants to various research strategies, measurement
issues, study design considerations, data management, data analysis, preparation of grant applications,
ethics of research, and manuscript preparation. Tailored seminars and mentoring from seasoned
researchers and peer mentors will form a key part of the training experience. We will establish clear
benchmarks for each trainee, including completion of a graduate degree for the fellows whom we will
support. This proposal builds upon existing grant-funded training programs for AI/AN trainees at our
academic partner institutions, and will further the career development of AI/AN researchers through capacity
building and research skill development. Through the development of qualified, independent AI/AN
investigators, our effort may ultimately serve to reduce some of the many disparities in health that are
observed among AI/AN groups, compared to U.S. whites nationwide, as well as reduce tribes’ distrust of
research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10251941
- **Project number:** 5S06GM127164-04
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWEST PORTLAND AREA INDIAN HLTH BD
- **Principal Investigator:** THOMAS MARK BECKER
- **Activity code:** S06 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $519,370
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-16 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10251941

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10251941, Improving Health Research Skills for AI/AN Students and Fellows (5S06GM127164-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10251941. Licensed CC0.

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