Abstract
C
conduct
to
mechanism:
2)
granting
experiential
region
title describes the Objective o this project: RACING AHEAD ( R esearch-focused A ssessment of
apacity, I nstitutional N eeds and G rowth strategies to A dvance H ealth E quity and A ddress D isparities). We will
a eeds assessment t o identify gaps in health disparities research capacity and develop an action plan
catalyze a vertical growth in extramural biomedical research funding to advance health equity.
qualifies as a resource-limited institution by NIH STRONG criteria and is a strong match for this
1) our annual NIH Research Project Grant funding is at an all-time high of only $11.1M in FY2022;
founded as a regional t eacher training school, ECU is now classified as an R2 university, with 10 egree-
colleges/schools, including 5 health professional schools; 3) we academically prepare and provide
learning opportunities to students from underrepresented populations in biomedical research.
has a longstanding mission to serve rural eastern North Carolina (ENC), a racially and ethnically diverse
with significant economic distress and health disparities.
The f
n
ECU
d
ECU
ECU faculty span varied disciplines that work to
understand and reduce health disparities through an engagement in community, basic, translational, clinical, and
transdisciplinary research. The ECU
bridge
We
research,
Assessment
and
Center for Health Disparities (CHD) is a key component of ECU's efforts to
academic silos and build research synergies.
assembled a strong leadership team with complementary expertise in needs assessment, biomedical
health disparities, and strategic planning. Co-investigators from the CHD and Institutional Planning,
& Research (IPAR) strengthen the team as do Cross Campus Core faculty who will provide insights
increase campus participation. Our robust Steering Committee of ECU stakeholders will work with the
National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) to oversee and guide the project.
Aim 1. Assess organizational capacity for health disparities research – We will employ integrated mixed
methods to assess university research infrastructure and support systems and identify barriers to research
productivity. We will leverage university data systems and engage the ECU community with focus groups and
surveys, aided by consultants from aspiration research peers.
Aim 2. Develop an action plan to strengthen institutional capacity for health disparities research –
We will share Aim 1 outcomes internally and develop short- and long-term action plans to address identified
needs with articulated metrics, milestones, and strategic priorities. We will use the transdisciplinary NIMHD
Research Framework to define our health disparities research strengths and themes for collaboration.
disparities
extramural
Long-term Goal: To form a transdisciplinary community united with shared expectations, goals, health
research foci and strategic priorities, whose synergies will catalyze increased competitiveness for
biomedical research support.
.
.
