Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions (RIMI)  

RIMI  is  a  mentoring  project  to  enhance  the  research infrastructure of minority institutions, specifically to increase the number of research faculty in Historically Black Colleges and  Universities  (HBCUs)  and  motivate  these  universities  to become  comprehensive research-level institutions.  McFarland & Associates is a collaborative partner in the National Center on Minority Health  RIMI project with the University of the District of Columbia and Health Disparities and Howard University.

The Grant Covers These Activities:

• Develop 10 tenure-track junior faculty into senior researchers in the areas of health disparities.
• Build  an academic research infrastructure at University of the District of Columbia (UDC).
• Identify and mentor students in nursing and allied health to pursue research in health disparities. 
• Infuse research concepts and methods across the curriculum  for nursing and allied health courses applicable to eliminate health disparities.
• Promote a research culture in the Department of Nursing and Allied Health.   
• Demonstrate how collaborative efforts can improve on the historical efforts of the faith community to provide a wide range of services to their communities.
• Address the importance of the faith community’s understanding of health promotion and disease prevention.

The Outcomes of this Initiative Are As Follows:

• Produced eight dyads (senior research faculty mentor junior faculty in teams) who are engaged in producing research projects in the health disparities.
• Identified best practices and lessons learned to support mentorship projects.
• Completed project articles for refereed journal, with the first article “The District of Columbia: Partnership with Howard University and the McFarland Institute.” 
• Developed a SMART Approach at UDC to support research in the Department.
• Identified career path research students.

If you would like more information regarding this contract, please call:

Dr. Barbara Milton King
Project Director
Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions (RIMI)
Phone: (301) 589-0780
Fax: (301) 589-2567
E-mail: bking@mcfarlandassociate.com