Program to support American Indian and Alaska Native students in health sciences
Official title: NARCH 11- Student Development Program
Funded at Indian Health Council, INC. · NIH-10925169 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program is all about helping American Indian and Alaska Native students succeed in their studies in health and science by providing them with mentorship and support, so they can become health scientists and help improve health in their communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indian Health Council, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Valley Center, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $434,522 |
| NIH project number | 5S06GM142117-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10925169 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in local academic institutions who are interested in pursuing degrees in health sciences.
✕Less likely to help
Students from non-AI/AN backgrounds or those not pursuing health-related fields may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
This program aims to enhance the recruitment and retention of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students in biomedical and behavioral sciences. It provides mentorship and guidance to students from local academic institutions, addressing the significant disparities in health outcomes faced by these communities. The initiative builds on a long-term partnership between the Indian Health Council and several universities, focusing on improving academic achievement and increasing the number of AI/AN health scientists. By fostering a supportive educational environment, the program seeks to empower students to pursue and complete their degrees.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly increase the number of AI/AN health professionals, leading to improved health equity in their communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous initiatives have shown success in improving academic outcomes for AI/AN students, indicating a promising approach to addressing educational disparities.
Where this research is happening
-
Indian Health Council, INC.
Valley Center, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Calac, Daniel J. — Indian Health Council, INC.
- Study coordinator: Calac, Daniel J.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
NARCH XIII Student Development Program for AI/AN Health Scientists
A program to help American Indian and Alaska Native students finish college and pursue health-related degrees and careers.
-
CA-NARCH Student Development Program Administrative Core
A government-funded program to support AI/AN student researchers and strengthen tribal partnerships to reduce health disparities.
-
NARCH XIII– Student Development program for AI/AN students
A grant to support AI/AN students through a structured pathway from high school to graduate programs in health and STEM, helping them pursue careers in American Indian/Alaska Native health and research.
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Opioid use and overdose risks among Southern California American Indian and Alaska Native adults
Researchers will collect interviews, surveys, and local records to understand changing opioid use and overdose risks for American Indian and Alaska Native adults in Southern California.
-
Preventing HPV-related cancers in American Indian and Alaska Native communities
This project brings community-led outreach and clinic changes to increase HPV vaccination for adolescents and cervical cancer screening for women in Southern California tribal communities.
-
Native American Community Health Research Partnership
This program supports Native American communities to strengthen trauma-informed care, increase HPV screening and vaccination, improve opioid services, and boost overall community health.
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.