Partnering to Build Native American Research Capacity in HEAL Topics
Official title: Partnering to Achieve Wellness for Native Americans through Indigenous Knowledge (PAWNIK)
Funded at Rand Corporation · NIH-11534645 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at helping Tribes and Native American Serving Organizations grow their own NIH-funded research capacity around HEAL topics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rand Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Monica, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,186,211 |
| NIH project number | 3OT2DA061064-01S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11534645 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Tribes, Native American Serving Organizations, and Native communities interested in conducting or partnering on NIH-funded health research.
✕Less likely to help
Some communities may not immediately benefit if they lack capacity to participate or resources to implement research activities.
What this research studies
This project partners with Tribal groups and Native-serving organizations to strengthen their ability to conduct NIH-funded research on addiction and wellness. The team will provide training, tools, and resources, combining Indigenous knowledge with Western science. They will offer both online and in-person sessions to help communities identify topics, design studies, collect data, and share results. The effort builds on a long collaboration between the Sacred Path Indigenous Wellness Center and RAND, with a track record of engaging Native communities in meaningful research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, communities could lead culturally informed research that improves addiction-related outcomes and wellbeing.
How similar studies have gone: Past collaborations have successfully recruited and engaged Native communities and produced culturally aligned research results.
Where this research is happening
-
Rand Corporation
Santa Monica, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: D'amico, Elizabeth J. — Rand Corporation
- Study coordinator: D'amico, Elizabeth J.
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.