2018 Pilot Grants Program

Grants ranging from $25,000 to $80,000 to North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota organizations, public agencies, educational institutions and businesses to support research teams conducting health research affecting the American Indian community. Optional LOIs are due by December 15. Applicants are invited to attend the January 6 webinar to learn more.

The purpose of the Collaborative Research Center for American Indian Health (CRCAIH) Pilot Grant Program is to fund cutting-edge trans-disciplinary research that will address the significant health disparities experienced by American Indians in South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota.

All Pilot Grants Program projects will embrace a “social determinants of health” theme leading to the improvement of American Indian health. This theme includes research on individual and community behaviors, as well as social conditions, including socio-economic, socio-political conditions, environment and cultural factors. CRCAIH Pilot Grants should have a strong potential for future funding, including sustainability and growth of the project.

Encouraged (not required) areas of research:

1) Health and Lifestyle - Health disparities by race and ethnicity, income and education, disability status, and other social and environmental characteristics still exist among the American Indian population. Lifestyle changes through nutrition, physical activity can prevent and delay the onset of some diseases.

2) Health Conditions - American Indian communities continue to experience high rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular, obesity and late stage diagnosis of cancer across the lifecycle. Early diagnosis and good management of the disease can significantly delay or prevent further complications.

3) Substance Use/Abuse - There is a skyrocketing rate of opioid abuse/prescription drug abuse in Indian country. Also, the rate of tobacco use among American Indians is significantly higher than the national average and contributes to high cancer and cardiovascular disease/mortality rates.