LEAP: a youth leadership and mindfulness program to support well-being
Official title: Can A Youth Leadership and Mindfulness Program Support Well-being in Adolescence?
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11395595 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A two-arm study will test whether a 7-week LEAP program that combines leadership training with mindfulness can improve mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being for adolescents aged 12–20.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,588,235 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3AT012530-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395595 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Youth aged 12–20 who attend partner school sites and are eligible for participation in school-based programs.
✕Less likely to help
Youth who do not participate or do not fit the program criteria may not experience benefits from LEAP.
What this research studies
This project partners with schools to pilot and then enrolls youth in a two-phase trial to see if LEAP strengthens leadership skills and supports overall well-being. In Phase 1, researchers collaborate with partners to refine the program and test procedures with 40 youths. In Phase 2, a two-site randomized controlled trial will compare LEAP to a control condition to measure effects on MEB health and leadership outcomes. Mindfulness is woven throughout the curriculum to help youth manage stress and build peer connections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, LEAP could become a scalable approach to boost leadership and improve mental and emotional well-being for adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests leadership training can improve youth well-being, but this study will test the added mindfulness component and real-world implementation.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Green, Jennifer Greif — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Green, Jennifer Greif
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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.