Career pathway program in biomedical and behavioral health research for NTU students and Native communities
Official title: Research for NTU undergraduate program
Funded at Navajo Technical University · NIH-11370511 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A year‑round, mixed‑hybrid program helps Navajo Technical University students and early career researchers build skills and connections to pursue biomedical and behavioral health careers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Navajo Technical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Crownpoint, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $307,321 |
| NIH project number | 1S06GM165006-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370511 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Undergraduate and master’s students, post‑baccalaureates, and early career investigators at NTU and Harvard who are pursuing biomedical or behavioral health paths, especially those from Native communities.
✕Less likely to help
Students not participating in biomedical/behavioral health pathways or who are not available for year‑round activities may not benefit.
What this research studies
This funding supports a structured, culturally grounded career development program that blends Diné knowledge with modern science. Participants will experience seminars, hands‑on shadowing, outreach activities, and skill‑building workshops, with a summer stint at Harvard and ongoing activities at NTU. The goal is to boost confidence, research readiness, and representation of Native peoples in graduate biomedical programs. Activities are designed to be accessible both virtually and in person across NTU and Harvard campuses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may gain clearer paths to biomedical careers and greater representation in science.
How similar studies have gone: Similar career‑development programs have shown increases in research readiness and self‑efficacy in bioscience education.
Where this research is happening
-
Navajo Technical University
Crownpoint, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hollar, Kathryn — Navajo Technical University
- Study coordinator: Hollar, Kathryn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Mentored research and shadowing opportunities for Navajo students
A project that provides mentored research experiences and shadowing opportunities for Navajo undergraduates to build skills in health and environmental science.
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NTU Health Center Administrative Core for Diné Health
This grant funds an administrative core to strengthen health research efforts for Diné communities through better governance, budgeting, and collaboration across NTU and Tribal partners.
-
Healing through Heritage: Using Navajo food traditions to tackle diabetes and infections
A Navajo Technical University-led effort will study traditional Navajo foods and plants to help prevent and treat diabetes and related infections in Diné communities.
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.