Building Indigenous research capacity in health for American Indian and Alaska Native communities
Official title: American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) Building Indigenous Research Capacity in Health (BIRCH) project
Funded at American Indian Higher Education Consrtm · NIH-10914307 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The AIHEC BIRCH project is all about helping Tribal Nations take charge of health research that matters to them, by supporting American Indian and Alaska Native students in healthcare careers and encouraging teamwork between Native and non-Native researchers to improve health in their communities.
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 start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $495,553 |
| NIH project number | 5S06GM142131-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914307 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are American Indian and Alaska Native students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare and research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as American Indian or Alaska Native may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
The AIHEC BIRCH project aims to empower Tribal Nations by enhancing their control over health research that addresses their unique needs. By implementing new programs across 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), the project provides resources for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) students to pursue careers in healthcare and research. This initiative fosters collaboration between AIAN and non-Native researchers, educators, and community practitioners to integrate traditional knowledge into health practices. The goal is to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in tribal communities through increased participation in healthcare and clinical trials.
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 gone: Previous research has shown that communities with tribal healthcare providers experience better health outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
American Indian Higher Education Consrtm
Alexandria, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Charette, Reno L — American Indian Higher Education Consrtm
- Study coordinator: Charette, Reno L
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.