Learn more about the Midwest LEADRS Program

The overall goal of Midwest LEADRS is to prepare nurse scientists and scientists from aligned health professions to conduct and evaluate research that addresses the social determinants of health in order to improve health.

Midwest LEADRS is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research at the National Institutes of Health. The program was developed in response to a clear need: many nurse and health scientists were trained before SDOH frameworks were integrated into research education. Midwest LEADRS fills that gap with structured, immersive, and applied training.

Midwest LEADRS will train three cohorts of 20 Fellows. Each cohort includes:

• Eight Institutional Fellows (Indiana University-based trainees and early faculty)
• 12 Regional Fellows (Midwest-based scientists outside IU).

Each cohort participates in a eight-month experience built around three core pillars.

Who Should Apply?

We are seeking a diverse cohort of emerging leaders in health research.

Requirement: Must have a commitment to SDOH-related research.

The Three Pillars of Impact

Program goals

By the end of the program, Fellows will:

• Build foundational knowledge of SDOH frameworks and research methods
• Develop or refine a research proposal grounded in SDOH principles
• Apply SDOH research tools to real-world community-identified needs
• Produce a tangible research product for a community partner
• Strengthen the national pipeline of nurse and aligned health researchers addressing differences in health outcomes

Program structure

Each cohort participates in:

• A eight-month program
• A four-day in-person SDOH Intensive in Indianapolis
• Instruction from nationally recognized faculty
• Structured collaboration with community partners
• Monthly mentoring
  (In-person for Institutional Fellows; virtual for Regional Fellows)
• Development or refinement of a research proposal with an SDOH focus