The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) awarded a 5-year, $683,125 Project Grant under the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research program (CFDA 93.307) to the University of Miami Coral Gables division. This grant will expand the Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities (CLARO) program, which is a partnership between the University of Miami and Florida International University.
CLARO's mission is to address health disparities affecting vulnerable Latino populations in Miami-Dade County, Florida, particularly related to the intersecting syndemic conditions of substance abuse, violence, and HIV/AIDS (SAVA). The expanded CLARO program will now also focus on mental health disparities (SAVA+MH) and employ equitable implementation science approaches. Key objectives include training early-stage investigators, especially from underrepresented minority groups, to develop expertise in implementation science and accelerate the uptake of evidence-based interventions in affected communities. The grant will fund at least 3 new pilot projects per year totaling $300,000 annually, along with a research enhancement program to provide training, mentorship, and networking opportunities for the pilot awardees and other early-stage investigators.