$11 Million Grant to UM to Fund Research Projects for Health Solutions in Rural Montana

UM Launches Research Center to Address Rural Health Issues with NIH Support

The University of Montana received an $11 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to create a research center focused on addressing health challenges in rural and underserved areas of the state. The Montana Clinical and Translational Research Center, based in UM's School of Public and Community Health Sciences, aims to connect the university with healthcare researchers across Montana. The center's director Tony Ward noted that many valuable ideas come from organizations like Providence Health, Billings Clinic, and Logan Health. Still, these groups often need more infrastructure to turn them into research projects.

He hoped the new center would connect researchers with the University of Montana to develop and transform ideas into research projects that improve Montanans' health. He also mentioned collaborating with local and state health departments to turn research findings into practical solutions to benefit the communities they serve. Laura Williamson, a state epidemiologist, expressed excitement about the Department of Health and Human Services' collaboration with the new research center to explore innovative public health solutions in Montana. She highlighted that the partnership would allow the DPHHS to analyze data in new ways and address health issues using academic expertise.

Ward explained that the center aims to improve healthcare, research infrastructure, and service delivery in rural areas with limited access to care, particularly highlighting the health disparities in Montana. He noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, rural and Native American communities faced the greatest challenges due to limited access to health services, emphasizing the need to boost the state's health research capacity.

The center will fund up to seven research projects annually through a formal application process, prioritizing proposals that benefit rural areas and underserved populations like Native American communities. For its first funding round, the center received 24 proposals, with detailed applications due by January 1. Ward expects to fund six to eight projects by March, with applications for the next funding cycle opening in early summer. Each proposal can receive up to $100,000 per year. The center aims to help projects gather data to secure further research funding. It also supports assembling and training research teams, recruiting participants, and interpreting initial findings. However, the process is slow; most projects are still in the idea phase and would only be physically manifested through funding. While initial funding may take up to a year, it will likely take two years. This is considered the first step in building research capacity in Montana.

The University of Montana (UM) was one of four universities awarded the NIH grant to establish this research center, alongside the University of North Dakota, the University of Louisville, and the University of South Carolina. This achievement was attributed to UM's dedicated team, including public health researchers and faculty, and its partnerships with committed organizations.

The grant highlights the urgency of addressing health issues, such as suicide and mental health challenges, that disproportionately affect Montanans. Montana has many skilled professionals in its healthcare and university systems, and funding innovative ideas through this initiative is seen as highly fulfilling. There is eagerness to see the project's outcomes in the next five years. Establishing the Montana Clinical and Translational Research Center marks a significant step in addressing the state’s health challenges, particularly in rural and underserved areas, which generally lack these facilities.

Editor’s Note:

The Montana Clinical and Translational Research Center, funded by an $11 million NIH grant, is a crucial initiative for addressing the state’s health challenges, especially in rural and underserved areas. The center aims to turn innovative ideas into practical solutions that improve Montana’s public health and healthcare infrastructure by connecting researchers and healthcare providers.

Skoobuzz believes this initiative has immense potential for enhancing health outcomes and tackling regional disparities.