Engaging underrepresented high school students in community research on substance use and mental health
Official title: Growing and Sustaining Community Change Researchers in STEM
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-10881905 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study invites Black, Latinx, and Appalachian high school students and their teachers to work together on a project that looks at substance use and mental health in their communities, helping them learn about science while tackling important local issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $238,052 |
| NIH project number | 5R25MD019150-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10881905 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include Black, Latinx, and Appalachian high school students interested in science and community health.
✕Less likely to help
Students outside of the targeted demographic groups or those not interested in STEM or community health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to involve Black, Latinx, and Appalachian high school students and their teachers in a community-based participatory research program that focuses on substance use and mental health issues in their local areas. By engaging students as co-researchers, the program seeks to enhance their understanding of scientific inquiry and its application to real-world problems. The approach emphasizes collaboration between community members and academic partners, fostering a sense of ownership and relevance in the research process. Through this initiative, students will gain valuable STEM skills while addressing critical behavioral health challenges in their communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower students to become active contributors to solutions for substance use and mental health issues in their communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous community-based participatory research initiatives have shown success in engaging underrepresented populations and addressing local health issues.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Watts-Taffe, Susan — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Watts-Taffe, Susan
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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.