# ACOA/MSTEM THRIVE Program for Undergraduates

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · 2023 · $366,875

## Abstract

Project Summary
In response to PAR-20-317 (NIA MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through Undergraduate
Education [R25]), the University of Arizona Center on Aging (ACOA) proposes to implement the ACOA/
MSTEM THRIVE Program, a substantively focused, structured, longitudinal, mentored research education
program targeting University of Arizona (UA) undergraduates (Freshman through Seniors) from groups
underrepresented in the health sciences (URHS). Students will be recruited from four pre-health programs in
the University of Arizona Health Science Center (UAHS): medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health.
Students will be principally of Latino and American Indian/Native American descent, or from U.S-México border
regions. The project is supported by the well documented lack of diversity among the research workforce in
aging, the rapid growth of older adults (55 years and older) in diverse groups, and the well documented health
disparities in those groups. Consistent with the NIH Strategic Directions for Research--2020-2025 document,
research education will focus on the interrelationships of the environmental, social, cultural, behavioral, and
biological factors that create and sustain health disparities among older adults. The program will operate within
the context of already existing, world-class resources at UA focused on geriatrics/gerontology research and
education (ACOA), and existing on-campus programs designed to recruit and promote success among
students from groups URHS. The project specific aims are: (1) Develop and sustain undergraduate student
interest, involvement, and retention leading to commitment to a research career focused on our theme of
Improving health, wellbeing and independence of older adults in diverse groups; 2) Develop, sustain and support
undergraduate student engagement in research on our theme by providing students with distinct hands-on
experience, requisite knowledge and research skills; 3) Facilitate and sustain undergraduate student progress
toward achieving career goals and Cultivate and sustain a cadre of culturally competent research mentors to
support MSTEM/ACOA THRIVE students. The innovation of this project lies in our capacity to leverage
excellent, already existing on-campus programs designed to recruit and promote success among students
from groups URHS with nationally recognized resources and researchers in gerontology/geriatrics, with
scientists studying health disparities to improve the health, well-being and independence of older adults in
diverse populations. This project is supported within a research-intensive university that is guided by a
strategic plan to increase diversity and prepare for an aging world.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10668959
- **Project number:** 5R25AG076387-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- **Principal Investigator:** Mindy J Fain
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $366,875
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2027-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10668959

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10668959, ACOA/MSTEM THRIVE Program for Undergraduates (5R25AG076387-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10668959. Licensed CC0.

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