Community Engagement Core for African American Rural Health Research
Official title: Community Engagement Core
Funded at Tuskegee University · NIH-11367911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program to connect African American residents in rural Alabama with cancer genomic and obesity research, building a large database that links genomic data with social factors to tailor treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tuskegee University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tuskegee Institute, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 1997 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $544,825 |
| NIH project number | 5U54MD007585-35 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are African American individuals living in rural Alabama who may participate in cancer genomics or obesity studies and benefit from improved, community-informed care.
✕Less likely to help
Communities outside rural Alabama or individuals not engaged in cancer genomics or obesity research may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports a Community Engagement Core that partners with rural communities to recruit and retain participants for cancer genomics and obesity studies led by RCMI researchers. It will create a data system that combines genetic indicators with social determinants of health to guide more personalized care for Black residents in rural areas. The project emphasizes collaboration between community organizations, researchers, and students to improve participation and disseminate findings in a culturally responsive way.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the initiative could improve representation in genomic research and inform more precise treatment strategies for African American patients in rural communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous community-engagement efforts have shown improved research participation and data quality in minority populations, supporting the potential for similar gains here.
Where this research is happening
-
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee Institute, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carter, Vivian L — Tuskegee University
- Study coordinator: Carter, Vivian 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.