# Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities-CLaRO - Investigator Development Core

> **NIH NIH P50** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI CORAL GABLES · 2024 · $464,244

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The Investigator Development Core (IDc) of the Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities (CLaRO) will
lead activities to enhance training, preparation, and career development of diverse, multidisciplinary early-
stage investigators (ESI) at the University of Miami (UM) and Florida International University (FIU). The IDc will
provide pilot funding, training, and networking opportunities to create a culture of belonging for ESI working
with underserved Latino communities disproportionately affected by the intersecting conditions of substance
abuse, violence, HIV/AIDS, and mental health disorders (SAVA+MH). In collaboration with CLaRO's
Community Engagement and Dissemination Core (CEDc), we will integrate community stakeholders in our
investigator development efforts to ensure our ESI conduct research that can be translated into practice in
affected communities. We will emphasize training in equitable implementation science to accelerate
implementation efforts of evidence-based interventions addressing SAVA+MH. Under the U54 mechanism,
CLaRO sponsored a comprehensive set of investigator development activities, including an annual Health
Disparities Institute attended by 91 ESI [50 from underrepresented minority (URM) groups] from UM and FIU,
and supported funding for 17 ESI from UM (9 URM) who leveraged their pilot and diversity supplement awards
to achieve over $28 million in NIH funding as PIs. The proposed CLaRO will fully integrate investigator
development efforts across UM and FIU. The IDc will leverage the research and training infrastructure of
CLaRO, UM and FIU, and associated centers/institutes to further develop and diversify the health disparities
scientific workforce. The IDc has three Specific Aims: Aim 1: To conduct a Pilot Projects Program for multi-
level community-engaged projects related to the CLaRO SAVA+MH equitable implementation science theme
that will be foundational to subsequent grant applications. CLaRO will award at least 3 new Pilot Projects each
year for a total of $300,000 per year. CLaRO will apply our established process for soliciting, providing
preliminary guidance, reviewing, and supporting Pilot Projects, and we will provide sustained mentorship and
grant development assistance for Pilot Awardees. Aim 2: To deliver a Research Enhancement
Program for Pilot Awardees and other ESI at UM and FIU. Program activities will include (1) training sessions
on scientific topics relevant to the CLaRO theme, as well as project management and grantsmanship; (2)
Equitable Implementation Science Exemplars Series presenting the work of established investigators; and (3)
Network-enhancing activities that facilitate a culture of belonging for health disparities researchers. Aim 3: In
collaboration with CEDc, connect CLaRO Pilot Awardees and other trainees with community stakeholders for
mutually beneficial collaboration.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10899358
- **Project number:** 1P50MD019468-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI CORAL GABLES
- **Principal Investigator:** Victoria Behar-Zusman
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $464,244
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-21 → 2029-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10899358

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10899358, Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities-CLaRO - Investigator Development Core (1P50MD019468-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10899358. Licensed CC0.

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