# Pilot Project Core

> **NIH NIH P50** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $194,163

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
There is an ongoing need to address underrepresentation of American Indian and Alaska Native (Indigenous)
researchers in the public health workforce. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Racial Equity Initiative
recognizes an overall lack of racial/ethnic diversity in drug use research and need for mentoring, funding, training,
and retention of diverse researchers. The Pilot Project Core of the proposed CIRCLE Center (P50) will address
this need with pilot project funding for Indigenous and allied researchers working specifically on topics related to
substance use inequities in partnership with Indigenous communities. The Pilot Project Core leadership team
has demonstrated successful collaboration in the mentorship of new and early-stage Indigenous researchers
and will be supported by the Administrative Core to carry out its objectives and specific aims to: 1) determine
priorities and barriers to launching independent substance use research careers that can be addressed via
CIRCLE Pilot Project funding; 2) create a review process for CIRCLE Pilot Project applications to encourage
innovations, special projects, and new directions to reduce substance use disparities and advance Indigenous
health equity; and 3) promote synergy with the CIRCLE Research Core and Workgroups to support Pilot Project
awardees. Listening sessions will drive development of the pilot project application process. A review team with
representatives from the CIRCLE investigative team, CIRCLE Community Research Councils, and other subject
area experts will evaluate pilot project applications to ensure selection of projects that are poised for success
and aligned with CIRCLE's overall goals and aims. The Pilot Project Core is designed to leverage resources
from the other CIRCLE Cores that will promote optimal mentorship and networking opportunities for funded pilot
researchers. Participation in the CIRCLE annual meeting sponsored by the Administrative Core, training in
research methodologies sponsored by the Research Core, attendance at CIRCLE meetings (e.g., Quarterly
Collaboratives), and participation in didactic meetings and workshops aimed at conducting research to the
highest ethical and administrative standards possible will ensure that the Pilot Project Core is supporting new
and early-stage researchers in substance use science launch successful careers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10913553
- **Project number:** 5P50DA058619-02
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Victoria O’Keefe
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $194,163
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10913553

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10913553, Pilot Project Core (5P50DA058619-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10913553. Licensed CC0.

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