MaRCH COBRE: Building momentum for maternal and reproductive health in Arkansas
Official title: The Maternal and Reproductive Community Health Excellence (MaRCH) Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE)
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11392683 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A dedicated center in Arkansas aims to boost maternal and reproductive health by growing local researchers, engaging communities, and using digital tools.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,295,000 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM156684-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392683 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Researchers, clinicians, and community partners in Arkansas and similar IDeA states who focus on maternal and reproductive health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients may not directly benefit during the initial infrastructure-building phase, which emphasizes training and capacity development.
What this research studies
This grant funds the MaRCH COBRE to create infrastructure and training that help Arkansas researchers develop a strong, sustained program in maternal and reproductive health. It establishes an Administrative Core, a Digital Health Core, and a SUCCEED Core to connect researchers with communities and disseminate findings. The plan includes a rigorous mentoring program for junior faculty to launch independent maternal health projects, especially in rural areas. By expanding local expertise and stakeholder partnerships, the project seeks to improve health outcomes for pregnant people and their families in Arkansas and similar states.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to better maternal health services and outcomes for rural communities through more local researchers and stronger community engagement.
How similar studies have gone: Previous COBRE-supported centers have shown that targeted mentoring and infrastructure build can accelerate early-career research in niche health areas, though outcomes vary by state and field.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcelfish, Pearl — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Mcelfish, Pearl
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.