# Investigator Development

> **NIH NIH U54** · DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $179,522

## Abstract

Investigator Development Core
Summary
 As the racial disparities in infections and deaths due to COVID19 highlight,
health disparities in the US can play a large role in deaths from infectious disease as
well as the chronic conditions that, until the pandemic, were the most urgent causes
of disability and death in the US. Significantly reducing health disparities will require
innovative and effective strategies that increase adoption of health-promoting behaviors among individuals
from under-represented and low SES communities. Investigators in social and behavioral sciences are
increasingly working with health science researchers to produce practical research and interventions that
improve the health of individuals and communities.
 A recommended strategy for reducing health-related inequities is to increase the number of
investigators (including those from underrepresented groups) carrying out ground-breaking research on
both the causes of health disparities and ways to reach health equity. Investigators from socioeconomically
disadvantaged backgrounds and minority groups bring unique perspectives that can enhance understanding
of social and structural causes of health disparities. However, these groups are underrepresented in the
scientific workforce and often lack both the institutional resources and informal support systems to succeed.
 The mission of our Investigator Development Core is to expand DSU’s institutional capacity to
conduct health disparities research by preparing a cadre of health equity investigators conducting
transdisciplinary research projects that can improve health outcomes and reduce disparities, and who are
actively engaged with community members throughout the lifecycle of their research. The IHER Center
will carryout its mission by: 1) Establishing a competitive pilot grant program that will allow new and early
stage investigators at DSU to generate preliminary data to support competitive grant proposals related to
the social and behavioral determinants of health; 2) Fostering the productivity, advancement, and retention
of health equity researchers by providing a robust professional development infrastructure to support
publication of peer-reviewed articles, submission of grant proposals, and development of strong
professional networks; 3) Working with the Community Engagement & Dissemination Core to empower
PIs to engage communities in their research and disseminate health research-related information; and 4)
Providing a robust, interactive educational program to enhance knowledge and awareness of minority health
and health equity across the DSU community.
 The core will leverage the R01 and R15 grant experience of ID Core director with the experience
of the RCMI PIs in leading research centers focused on supporting early stage investigators to establish
successful research programs and win external funding.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10556830
- **Project number:** 1U54MD015959-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Brian Richard McNaughton
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $179,522
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-20 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10556830

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10556830, Investigator Development (1U54MD015959-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10556830. Licensed CC0.

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