Physical Activity Policy Network to Boost Community Design for More Active Living
Official title: RFA-DP-24-062, Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11503928 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A national network is being re-established to support communities in designing policies and plans that make walking and biking easier and safer for people in everyday life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $300,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U48DP006885-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11503928 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable (community-focused policy research; not a clinical trial).
✕Less likely to help
Individuals may not directly benefit from this network during the grant period if they are not involved in participating communities or policy implementation.
What this research studies
This grant aims to rebuild PAPREN, a national network that works with communities to put proven design and policy ideas into action to increase physical activity. The work uses implementation science to test strategies that help across sectors collaborate and engage residents in communities. It focuses on equity and practical ways to support policies and plans like Complete Streets and Master Plans that enable safer, more active transportation. The team will develop, test, and share an equity-oriented approach to putting community design recommendations into practice.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, communities may implement policies that make it easier and safer to be physically active, improving public health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work supports the idea that community design policies can increase physical activity, but effective implementation strategies are still being refined.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lemon, Stephenie C. — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Lemon, Stephenie C.
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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.