Training program for Veterans and military-connected students in mental health research

Service to Science Scholars Research Program

NIH-funded research Minneapolis VA Medical Center · NIH-11050426

This program invites Veterans and their children to join a friendly summer research experience where students can learn about mental health issues like PTSD and suicide prevention, while also helping to create better support services based on real-life experiences.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMinneapolis VA Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11050426 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This program aims to engage Veterans and children of Veterans in scientific research to address complex mental health issues like suicide prevention and PTSD. It offers a 10-week summer research experience for undergraduate and graduate students, focusing on enhancing the diversity of the research workforce in the VA. Participants will receive training and mentorship, allowing them to contribute to the development of new mental health services based on lived experiences. The program has previously shown high satisfaction among participants and successful recruitment from underrepresented groups.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are student Veterans and military-connected students interested in pursuing careers in mental health research.

Not a fit: Patients who are not Veterans or military-connected and do not have an interest in research may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research program could lead to improved mental health services for Veterans and their families by incorporating diverse perspectives in research.

How similar studies have performed: Previous iterations of this program have shown success in engaging participants and enhancing their research careers, indicating a positive track record.

Where this research is happening

Minneapolis, 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.