Building Indigenous research capacity in health for American Indian and Alaska Native communities
American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) Building Indigenous Research Capacity in Health (BIRCH) project
The AIHEC BIRCH project is working to help Tribal Nations take charge of health research that affects their communities by supporting American Indian and Alaska Native students in healthcare careers, so they can work together with others to improve health and well-being for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | American Indian Higher Education Consrtm NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Alexandria, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10914304 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The AIHEC BIRCH project aims to empower Tribal Nations by enhancing their control over health research that directly impacts their communities. By implementing new programs across 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), the initiative provides resources for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) students to pursue careers in healthcare and research. This comprehensive approach fosters collaboration among AIAN and non-Native researchers, educators, and community practitioners, integrating traditional knowledge to address health disparities. The project seeks to improve health outcomes by increasing the number of tribal healthcare providers and researchers, ultimately leading to better health practices and community well-being.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include American Indian and Alaska Native students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare and research.
Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as American Indian or Alaska Native may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to healthier tribal communities and improved health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that increasing the number of tribal healthcare providers leads to better health outcomes and reduced health disparities in Native communities.
Where this research is happening
Alexandria, United States
- American Indian Higher Education Consrtm — Alexandria, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phillips, John — American Indian Higher Education Consrtm
- Study coordinator: Phillips, John
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.