Improving mentoring for underrepresented scientists in research programs

Impact of Culturally Aware Mentoring Interventions on Research Mentors and Graduate Training Programs

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10727053

This study is all about helping mentors at mostly White universities better support students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, so they can feel more included and succeed in their biomedical research careers.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-10727053 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the mentoring experiences of historically underrepresented faculty and students in predominantly White research-intensive universities. It implements a Culturally Aware Mentoring (CAM) intervention that trains research mentors to better understand and address issues of cultural diversity, bias, and institutional barriers. The intervention includes an online preparatory module followed by an in-person training session, aiming to equip mentors with the skills necessary to support emerging scientists from diverse backgrounds. By fostering inclusive mentoring practices, the research seeks to create a more supportive academic environment for underrepresented students pursuing careers in biomedical research.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are historically underrepresented faculty and graduate students in research-intensive academic programs.

Not a fit: Patients who are not involved in academic research or do not belong to historically underrepresented groups may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mentoring relationships and career outcomes for underrepresented scientists in research fields.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data from similar interventions have shown positive outcomes in mentor knowledge and practices, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Where this research is happening

Madison, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.