# CCL-IGNITE (IncreasinG RepresentatioN In RehabilItation and CreaTivE Health Professions Research)

> **NIH NIH R25** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $270,000

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
In this R25 application, NYU Steinhardt faculty in rehabilitation health professions research (RHP, including
physical therapy, occupational therapy, communicative sciences and disorders, music therapy, drama therapy
and art therapy) and education research will partner with College and Career Lab (CCL) and create a research
pathway, CCL - IncreasinG RepresentatioN In RehabilItation and CreaTivE Health Professions Research, “CCL
IGNITE”. Guided by findings from contemporary educational research and substantial preliminary work, CCL-
IGNITE will deploy a robust, mentorship-based curriculum designed jointly by educators and researchers at CCL
and NYU Steinhardt. The central premise of CCL-IGNITE is that early access, increased resources and
sustained engagement will fulfill a critical need for early exposure to RHP research and RHP mentors, and
improve educational outcomes in students from groups that are underrepresented in RHP and biomedical
research.
There are three key novel aspects to CCL-IGNITE. First, we will increase access by designing unique culturally
relevant science education and research opportunities in RHP research, and offer increased resources
supporting academic and career preparation and offering financial support. Second, CCL-IGNITE will increase
engagement by implementing a thoughtful and robust approach to mentorship and the development of RHP
identities, one that is supported by our substantial preliminary work. Third, we include a rigorous impact
evaluation that overcomes the pitfalls of conventional program assessment.
Key outcomes of CCL-IGNITE include: 1) 150 high school students will participate in our summer research
pathways and subsequent academic-year practice labs (Immersive Stage). Additionally, 300 middle school
students will receive early exposure to RHP and RHP research (Exploratory Stage). 2) Novel RHP research-
related science education resources will be developed during the course of this project and disseminated through
CCL-IGNITE website and annual dissemination events (including an open house event for public school teachers
and a community lab for community based organizations serving low income historically underrepresented
middle and high school students in NYC). 3) Evaluation outcomes (short and medium term objective outcomes
to assess impact on grades, absenteeism, choice of courses, type of high school applied to; qualitative outcomes
for program refinement) will be disseminated in the peer-reviewed scientific literature in the form of manuscripts
and conference presentations, and will be used to motivate evidence-based practice.
This application has high potential for substantial positive impact as CCL-IGNITE will leverage university-
community partnerships in a highly diverse urban area and encourage youth from that are underrepresented in
the biomedical and behavioral sciences to pursue further studies and careers in RHP research, consistent with
PA-23-137.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10888506
- **Project number:** 1R25GM154372-01
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Hua-Yu S Cherng
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $270,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2029-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10888506

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10888506, CCL-IGNITE (IncreasinG RepresentatioN In RehabilItation and CreaTivE Health Professions Research) (1R25GM154372-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10888506. Licensed CC0.

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