Training American Indian students for careers in health research

Cherokee Nation Research Immersion Student Experiences( Cherokee Rise)

NIH-funded research Cherokee Nation · NIH-10912528

This study is all about helping American Indian students get involved in health research by offering them support, mentorship, and educational opportunities from high school through graduate school, so they can explore exciting careers in biomedical and behavioral health.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCherokee Nation NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tahlequah, United States)
Project IDNIH-10912528 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project aims to address the underrepresentation of American Indian individuals in the scientific workforce by providing culturally competent educational services and mentorship. The Cherokee Nation has partnered with the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University to create the Cherokee Nation Research Immersion Student Experiences (RISE) program. This initiative will support students from high school through graduate school, fostering their interest and expertise in biomedical, clinical, and behavioral health research. By building partnerships and providing resources, the program seeks to create a pathway for American Indian students to pursue careers in health research.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are American Indian students at various educational levels interested in pursuing careers in health research.

Not a fit: Patients who are not American Indian or who are not pursuing a career in health research may not benefit from this initiative.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower American Indian students to enter and thrive in health research careers, ultimately contributing to health equity.

How similar studies have performed: Similar initiatives have shown success in increasing representation and support for underrepresented groups in health research, making this approach promising.

Where this research is happening

Tahlequah, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.