# Research Training Program in Reproductive and Sexual Health

> **NIH NIH R25** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $157,855

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The vision of The ASCENT Research Training Program in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)
is to strategically develop an innovative, interdisciplinary, and multi-level national research training
experience that enhances the future of SRH-related biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and translational
research. The program will achieve this through foundational research curricula, advanced training in
community-engaged research (CER), hands-on simulation training, mini-immersion experiences, and
mentoring, utilizing the Matrix Mentor Model. Currently, research curricula and mentorship specific to
SRH and CER lack consistency across academic institutions, disciplines, and training levels.
Strategic efforts are necessary to progress academic and community partnerships that can lead to
critical innovations and interventions through CER. To address this gap, we have designed a unique
research training program with community-, institutional-, and national support open to Scholars from
upper undergraduate to professional levels. The program goals include, (1) Establishing The
ASCENT Research Training Program, creating administrative excellence and a research training
toolkit focused on advanced SRH topics and CER methods, (2) Providing 10 weeks of focused
hands-on research experiences, mentoring, and funding for a multi-level cohort of 8 nationally
recruited SRH Scholars; and (3) Develop regional and national opportunities for scholar advancement
through partnerships with professional societies. These national partners will support recruitment and
provide a wide pool of mentors and research opportunities, showcasing specialized research
techniques. ASCENT Research Training Program Scholars will gain SRH knowledge, confidence,
and essential hands-on CER experience. The program will support Scholars in attending and
presenting at regional and national scientific conferences to enhance their professional networks and
career trajectories. Successful completion of these activities will establish a multi-level
interdisciplinary SRH Scholar training program, unlike any existing program. Ultimately, this program
and toolkit will equip participants with advanced CER techniques, enhance the training experiences of
SRH biomedical scholars, and train a new generation of reproductive health scholars trained in CER
and advanced research approaches

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10933998
- **Project number:** 1R25HD115514-01
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** JESSICA N SANDERS
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $157,855
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-13 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10933998

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10933998, Research Training Program in Reproductive and Sexual Health (1R25HD115514-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10933998. Licensed CC0.

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