# NIAID STAR: Stimulating Training and Access to Research Experiences for Minority and Underrepresented Populations

> **NIH NIH R25** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $334,918

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
HIV is more common among underrepresented minority adolescents and young adults (AYA, 13–24 years old)
in the United States. Low uptake of HIV prevention services suggests a missed opportunity for implementing
evidence-based interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and sexually transmitted infection
testing among this important population. Most research institutions in the United States have limited
opportunities for AYA training, mentorship, and capacity building activities. Over the past three years, our multi-
disciplinary team organized AYA implementation HIV research as part of ITEST, Innovative Tools for
Expanding HIV Self-Testing. This study uses crowdsourcing methods and implementation science strategies to
develop innovative HIV self-testing services for AYA. Crowdsourcing has a group of people solve all or part of
a problem, then implement exceptional ideas. Our study discovered that crowdsourcing methods could also be
used to help identify highly qualified trainees through open calls, build capacity for youth-led research using
hackathons, and sustain these benefits through participatory learning communities. These approaches break
new ground in HIV training using participatory methods that will help AYA to become junior leaders while
building institutional capacity for AYA HIV research. Extending from this strong foundation, we propose the
“Stimulating Training and Access to HIV Research Experiences” (STAR) Institute. The project brings together a
highly qualified group of research mentors at Saint Louis University, UNC Chapel Hill, Georgia State
University, Texas A&M, and Wake Forest University. Specific aims of this project include: 1) identify and recruit
underrepresented minority AYA interested in HIV research for STAR Institute; 2) develop crowdsourcing and
implementation research capacity at participating US institutions; 3) initiate and sustain enduring AYA research
capacity through a digital participatory learning community. Each year we will identify 10 trainees who will join
our intensive six-week summer training program and a year-long virtual learning community. The proposed
R25 training program complements existing training opportunities and will provide unique resources to build
capacity for AYA studies, implementation research, and crowdsourcing.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10892879
- **Project number:** 5R25AI170379-04
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Juliet Iwelunmor
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $334,918
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-08-18 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10892879

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10892879, NIAID STAR: Stimulating Training and Access to Research Experiences for Minority and Underrepresented Populations (5R25AI170379-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10892879. Licensed CC0.

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