Summer environmental health program for high school teachers and students in Indigenous communities
Official title: Environmental Health Research for Teachers and High School Students (EARTH) in the Great Northern Plains
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11012877 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program offers high school teachers and students from three rural Indigenous communities a chance to work on important local environmental health projects during the summer, with support and guidance from experts to help them learn more about these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 13, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $135,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R25ES034931-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012877 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are high school teachers and students from rural Indigenous communities in the Northern Plains.
✕Less likely to help
Students and teachers from non-Indigenous or urban communities may not receive direct benefits from this program.
What this research studies
This program aims to create a summer environmental health sciences research experience for high school teachers and students from three rural Indigenous communities in the Northern Plains. Participants will engage in locally relevant research projects that reflect the priorities of their communities, guided by expert mentors from Columbia University and Missouri Breaks Industries Research Inc. The program includes structured workshops and educational training to enhance the participants' understanding of environmental health issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower Indigenous students and teachers with knowledge and skills in environmental health, fostering community engagement and awareness.
How similar studies have gone: Similar educational programs have shown success in enhancing community engagement and understanding of health issues, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nigra, Anne E — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Nigra, Anne E
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.