Research Programs and Partnerships
At Meharry Research & Innovation, we continue to advance a portfolio of programs and partnerships dedicated to promoting global health advancement, community-engaged research, and accelerating innovation in biomedical science. Meharry Medical College has several multi-institutional grants and partnerships that expand our research capabilities through collaborations with universities, non-profits, government agencies, and community organizations. These efforts reinforce Meharry’s longstanding commitment to ensuring that scientific advancement serves all populations—particularly those historically excluded from the biomedical research enterprise.
Our Ongoing Initiatives
VICTR: Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
Our partnership with Vanderbilt through the NIH CTSA grant breaks down barriers between laboratory research and patient care. VICTR provides our researchers with the resources, funding, and collaborative network needed to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into new treatments and clinical practices. This bridge from bench to bedside ensures our research has its greatest possible impact on patient health.
Meharry SURP: Summer Undergraduate Research Program
This NIH-funded program inspires the next generation of cancer research leaders by providing hands-on laboratory experience to undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds. SURP mentors young scientists, offering them a crucial pathway into biomedical careers. By investing in these talented students today, we are building a more diverse and robust research workforce for tomorrow.
ENVIT: Environmental Health Toxicology Training Program
ENVIT is an NIH-funded initiative training the next generation of PhD scientists to investigate how environmental exposures affect human health. The program provides students with interdisciplinary research skills to address complex issues like toxin exposure and environmental justice. Our graduates are equipped to become leaders in protecting public health from environmental threats.
Dry January USA
Dry January® USA is a national initiative dedicated to promoting awareness of alcohol’s impact on health and empowering individuals to embrace an alcohol-free lifestyle, even if just for a month. Hosted at Meharry Medical College, the program aligns with our mission to advance health equity and preventive care in underserved communities. The movement is led by Dr. Michael C. Caldwell, Meharry faculty member and Chief Medical Officer of Dry January® USA, whose leadership connects Meharry’s research, education, and community engagement with this growing wellness initiative.
The Tennessee Center for AIDS Research (TN-CFAR)
The Tennessee Center for AIDS Research (TN-CFAR) leverages complementary strengths of its four partner institutions to have broad and substantial impact on the HIV epidemic. Through this four-way partnership between Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Meharry Medical College, the Tennessee Department of Health, and Nashville CARES, our vision is to have transformative local and global translational impact. Guided by this vision, our mission is to coordinate the institutional and community strengths and resources of VUMC, MMC, TDH, and CARES to most effectively reduce the burden of HIV/AIDS and generalize these benefits worldwide.
AIM-AHEAD: Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity
This NIH-funded leadership consortium ensures AI and machine learning tools benefit everyone, not just a privileged few. Meharry is co-leading a national effort to increase participation and leadership from underrepresented researchers in AI/ML. By fostering ethical and equitable AI, we are building a future where technology helps to eliminate, rather than exacerbate, health disparities.
Beacon of Hope: Building Economic and Community Health
A direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s disproportionate impact, this initiative fosters trust between minority communities and health institutions. Funded by the CDC, it supports vaccination efforts, provides critical public health resources, and addresses the underlying social determinants of health. Beacon of Hope is a testament to our commitment to community-centered healing and resilience.
DOE Toxicology: Environmental Health Toxicology
This program tackles the critical link between environmental exposure and public health, particularly in vulnerable communities. Our researchers are investigating the health impacts of toxins from Department of Energy sites and other sources. This work is essential for developing strategies to protect at-risk populations and advocate for environmental justice.
Accelerate Precision Health (APRISE-H/CZ1)
This $13 million NIH grant is a cornerstone of our precision health efforts, focusing on the ZIP code 37208—one of the nation’s most disadvantaged areas. The initiative moves beyond genetics to include social, economic, and environmental factors in defining an individual’s health. Our goal is to create a new, community-informed model of precision medicine that truly leaves no one behind.
NSF I-CORPS: Southeastern Health Innovation Engine (SHIELD)
As part of the NSF’s inaugural Regional Innovation Engines program, SHIELD positions Middle Tennessee as a powerhouse for health technology innovation. This initiative provides training and funding to help researchers and entrepreneurs translate scientific discoveries into viable products and companies. We are catalyzing an ecosystem that turns ideas into solutions that save lives and create economic opportunity.
NSF COMPASS: Collaborative for Microbiome and Pathogen Science
COMPASS is a powerful collaboration uniting Meharry with Vanderbilt and Fisk University to advance microbial sciences. This partnership, supported by the NSF, strengthens research infrastructure and fosters a diverse pipeline of scientists in this critical field. Together, we are exploring the vast world of microbes to unlock new diagnostics, therapies, and scientific understanding.
Together 4 Change (T4C)
T4C is a transformative, multi-million dollar partnership with AstraZeneca designed to directly improve health outcomes in Nashville and beyond. This initiative focuses on disease prevention, early detection, and access to care in underserved communities. By combining our community expertise with world-class resources, we are implementing sustainable programs that create meaningful, measurable change.
Project C.U.R.E.
In a groundbreaking global partnership, Meharry is collaborating with Project C.U.R.E. and South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province to build a new medical school and address dire health inequities. This initiative expands our mission of “Worship of God Through Service to Mankind” onto the world stage. We are sharing our unique expertise to cultivate a new generation of physicians dedicated to serving underserved populations across the globe.
Meharry UNAI: United Nations Academic Impact Hub for SDGs
As the inaugural UNAI Hub for Sustainable Development Goal #3 (Good Health and Well-Being), Meharry is leading a global conversation on health equity. This designation recognizes our expertise and charges us with facilitating worldwide collaboration among universities, NGOs, and governments. We are proud to represent HBCUs on this prestigious platform, amplifying the message of health as a fundamental human right.
MVTCP: Meharry-Vanderbilt-Tennessee State University Cancer Partnership
This long-standing NCI-funded partnership is a powerful engine for reducing cancer disparities among minority and underserved populations. The collaboration leverages the strengths of all three institutions to conduct innovative research, train a diverse workforce, and engage communities. Together, we are making significant strides in the fight against cancer health inequities.