LUNA: Program Overview

12-week intensive international summer research training program for pre-doctoral graduate/graduate level medical trainees and post-doctoral scholars.

The LUNA training program will provide training to 45 qualified, master-level students, pre- and post-doctoral students, as well as early stage investigators, over the next five (5) years. See more about trainee eligibility on the Eligibility page.

The structured international 12-week mentored LUNA research training program includes:

1. a 5-day orientation and research training institute at the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute at the University of Washington,
   1. followed by a 10-week International Summer Research Training (ISRT) program at the host country and associated community-based research sites;
2. supervision and training by an international network of country site Preceptors and mentors with expertise in social, cultural, and historical determinants of Indigenous health and health disparities, CBPR, Indigenous ethics and research protocols, and Indigenous research methodologies;
3. community-based research exposure with Preceptors and on-site mentors who will provide supervised field research experiences and shadowing opportunities;
4. a 4-day grant development and writing workshop to produce a NIH grant proposal and publication based on the foreign country research training experience;
5. administrative, editorial, and technical assistance for developing conference presentations and writing manuscripts for publication;
6. year-round multidisciplinary learning opportunities via seminar series, webinars, and presentations at home institutions;
7. access to a website and listserv to facilitate the sharing of relevant research, information, and opportunities; and,
8. a process evaluation of the program to identify factors key to its success.

Once matched, trainees and their mentor will create a detailed individualized research training plan (IRTP) to guide them in building their research experience and skills around:

1. Indigenous knowledges and epistemologies;
2. Indigenous research principles, protocols, and ethics;
3. Indigenous research approaches, methodologies, and methods;
4. Community based participatory research with Indigenous communities;
5. Social, historical, cultural determinants of health and wellness as well as health disparities and inequities.

The LUNA program will provide housing, tuition, and travel (including international medical & travel insurance) funds for the trainee’s trip to Washington State and the international site.