# Multidisciplinary Training Program in Digital Mental Health

> **NIH NIH T32** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $278,129

## Abstract

Summary
The long-term goal of the Multidisciplinary Training Program in Digital Mental Health is to develop the field of
digital mental health by continuing to provide postdoctoral training that integrates behavioral and psychological
sciences (BPS) and human-computer interaction (HCI; encompassing design, computer science,
communication, engineering, and human factors) aimed at producing successful, independent investigators
who will become leaders in this emerging field. Digital mental health, which focuses technology use and
implementation in the psychological and behavioral sciences, requires expertise across a range of disciplines.
However, research and training has largely been siloed. This multidisciplinary training program is breaking
down those silos for the next generation of researchers. We recruit a mix of fellows in BPS and HCI. Fellows
develop core competencies in digital mental health, team science, research methods, mental health equity,
leadership, as well as other topics as needed such as implementation science or computer science. Fellows
expand their skills in their research domain, and also develop a working understanding of the methods and
principles in the complementary domain that the fellow is learning (e.g. BPS for HCI fellows, HCI design
methods for BPS fellows). Each trainee is co-mentored by a faculty member who specializes in BPS research
and one specializing in HCI. At least 75% of the fellow’s time is spent in mentored research. To support these
research activities, the program offers seminars, professional development activities, workshops, and other
didactic experiences to prepare the fellow for a successful research career. The program is housed in
Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and supported by faculty and programs from the
McCormick School of Engineering, and the School of Communication, which together provide a rich training
experience. Fellows have access to the wide range of educational resources made available by Northwestern,
including grant writing workshops, paper writing seminars, team science training, and other resources
dedicated to career development. This program was the first in the nation to jointly train mental health and
technology specialists, and serves as a model for the emerging field of digital mental health. We propose to
admit 2 fellows each year for a two year fellowship.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10819597
- **Project number:** 5T32MH115882-07
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Darren Gergle
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $278,129
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10819597

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10819597, Multidisciplinary Training Program in Digital Mental Health (5T32MH115882-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10819597. Licensed CC0.

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