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Patricia V. Bradley Native American Health Research Award

About the Award

The Patricia V. Bradley Native American Health Research Award is designed to stimulate and support research on Native American health or well-being. The Indian Health Service (IHS) defines health as encompassing the physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

We anticipate awarding a single award in 2026. The award will be $1,000 and is designed to flexibly remove barriers for research. See additional details below in Eligibility Criteria. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 6, 2025

Eligibility Criteria

1. Applicant Type

  • The award is primarily intended for currently enrolled UNM undergraduate or graduate students.
  • If no qualifying student application is received, faculty applications may be considered.

2. Research Stage

  • Applicants may be at any stage of the research process, including:
    • Early conceptualization or proposal development
    • Preliminary data collection or literature review
    • Ongoing implementation of a research project
  • The research does not need to be completed at the time of application. Instead, applicants should clearly articulate their goals, timeline, and how the award will meaningfully support their project’s progress.

3. Research Focus

  • The proposed project must directly address a topic relevant to Native American health. Priority will be given to:
    • Projects conducted in partnership with tribal communities
    • Projects using culturally responsive or Indigenous methodologies
    • Projects that will directly benefit a tribal community in New Mexico
  • The project must use HSLIC resources in some way (e.g., databases, journal articles, educational technology, HSLIC faculty or staff expertise or training opportunities, interlibrary loan services, secondary data sets such as All of Us, etc.)

4. Use of Funds

  • Funds may be used flexibly to reduce barriers to research. Allowable expenses include but are not limited to:
    • Research supplies or software
    • Travel for community engagement and/or research dissemination
    • Child care or family care to free up time for research
    • Internet/data access or digital tools
    • Printing, archival access, or data acquisition
    • Incentives for research participants

5. Additional Requirements

  • Awardees will present on their research to the HSLIC staff. The presentation will be shared via the UNM Digital Repository.

Application Requirements

To apply, submit the following documentation using our online application form. 

  • A brief (800 words maximum) description of the proposed or ongoing research project, with emphasis on:
    • How the project will benefit the community
    • How the applicant will engage with the community
    • How the applicant will disseminate the results of the research project to the community (e.g., community presentation(s), pamphlets, etc)
    • What HSLIC resources the applicant plans to use, and how
  • A brief (300 words maximum) budget narrative describing how the funds will enable or accelerate the research project.
  • If a student applicant, a short letter or email of support from a UNM faculty mentor, research advisor, or tribal community research partner. This endorsement should confirm the applicant’s status as a current undergraduate or graduate student and proposed project’s academic or scholarly relevance.
  • Strongly recommended: A short letter of support from the community (e.g., tribe, pueblo, nation), facility (e.g. First Nations), or other group with which the research will engage to ensure support from the Native American community. 

Scoring Rubric

Evaluation Criteria

4 points

3 points

2 points

1 point

 Possible Score

Community Benefit

Project clearly addresses a health issue of significance to a Native American community, with well-articulated potential impact.

Project addresses a relevant issue with some expected benefit to the community.

Community benefit is vaguely stated or limited in relevance.

Little or no evidence that the project benefits a Native American community.

 4

Community Engagement

Applicant outlines meaningful, reciprocal engagement with community members or organizations, with specific plans or partnerships.

Applicant shows some plans for engagement, with moderate detail or potential for reciprocal interaction.

Engagement plans are minimal, unclear, or one-sided.

No meaningful engagement described.

 4

Use of Library Resources

Demonstrates deep understanding of and plans to use relevant library services, collections, or expertise.

Mentions use of library resources with moderate specificity.

Limited or vague mention of library use.

No clear use of library resources.

 4

Overall Quality and Clarity of Proposal

Well-written, clearly organized, and persuasive; shows originality and thoughtfulness.

Generally well-written and organized with minor issues in clarity or structure.

Writing lacks clarity or organization; proposal is difficult to follow.

Poorly written or disorganized; hard to understand.

 4

Dissemination of Results

 N/A N/A

Clear, culturally appropriate, and accessible dissemination plans are described (e.g., presentations, pamphlets, workshops).

Dissemination plans are present but may lack specificity or cultural appropriateness.

 2

Budget Narrative

       Present 1

Letter of Support

       Present or not applicable 1

New Mexico Community

       Present 1
Total         21

 

Ready to Apply?

Application Form

Or copy and paste the link into your browser: https://unm-health.libwizard.com/f/bradley_application

You will need to provide:

  • Your name, email, and role at UNM
  • Application narrative
  • Letter of support (if a student)

A letter of support from the community is strongly recommended.

Applications are due October 6, 2025

Make A Gift

The Patricia V. Bradley Native American Health Research Award is funded by an endowment at the UNM Foundation in her memory. Learn more or make a gift.

Questions?

If you have questions about the Patricia V. Bradley Native American Health Research Award, please reach out to us at HSLIC-AdminSupport@salud.unm.edu