Addressing Non-Medical Risk Factors of Health through Community-based Participatory Research

Welcome!

At the George Washington University School of Nursing, we are committed to addressing the growing health challenges posed by Non-Medical Risk Factors of Health (NMRF). Nursing and health professional researchers are uniquely positioned to lead efforts that investigate the root causes of uneven health outcomes and develop meaningful, community-informed solutions.

One powerful method for advancing progress in this area is community-based participatory research (CBPR)—an approach that actively involves community members, practitioners, and researchers throughout the research process. CBPR helps correct imbalances in health outcomes by ensuring that research is community-relevant, builds on local strengths, and fosters capacity building and mutual benefit. By engaging the community in every phase of research, CBPR not only encourages the development of relevant and effective studies but also nurtures a sense of ownership, empowerment, and sustainability.

To support this vital work, we offer an interprofessional short course funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). This four-month program includes both online learning components and a one-day, in-person capstone session in Washington, DC. It is designed for nursing and health professional researchers who seek to deepen their understanding of NMRF and apply that knowledge using CBPR principles.

Participants will gain practical tools to design inclusive studies that incorporate varied perspectives and translate NMRF insights into tangible, real-world health improvements.

Join us in this important effort to advance evidence-based solutions and help shape the future of public health research.

Apply Now for January-April 2026 cohort

Program Overview

With a small cohort of 10-12 participants, this blended learning course offers an engaging mix of in-person and online experiences, including:

Faculty-guided webinars featuring guest speakers sharing real-world NMRF research applications and interactive discussion of learners’ NMRF research ideas and progress (6 sessions)
Self-directed eLearning modules with video lectures, readings, and other resources
Individual faculty mentorship
Independent development of a community-based NMRF research proposal, guided by coursework
Peer review of draft research proposals
Personal reflections
Capstone session in Washington, DC

Meet Our Team and Faculty

Schedule

Online webinars:

Thursdays: January 8, January 29, February 19, March 5, March 19, April 9
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM Eastern

In-person Capstone session at George Washington University, Washington, DC:

Date: April 25
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

*Dates and times are subject to change

Continuing Education Credit (CEU) and Micro-Credentials

Participants will receive a GW micro-credential and 5 CEUs for successfully completing the short course, which is estimated to require 50 hours of learning time. The Postgraduate Institute of Medicine will provide the CEUs.

Cost

There is no cost to participate in this short course. Funds will be provided for each participant to travel to Washington, DC.

Eligibility

We will host two training cohorts, each consisting of 10-12 participants. We welcome applications from practicing nurse scientists, scientists from aligned fields (i.e., medicine, public health, arts, and science) from across the United States, and GW students (graduate and undergraduate) and faculty.

Submit Your Application

To apply on a rolling basis, please provide the following via the online application:

Statement of Interest (2 pages max) explaining:
1. Your current professional activities and accomplishments in relation to social determinants of health and/or community-based participatory research
2. Your learning goals for enhancing your knowledge and skills in developing and implementing CBPR study to investigate and address the impacts of NMRF on the health of the community
Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Support
Apply Now for January-April 2026 cohort

Contact Information

Sherrie Wallington, Ph.D.
Professor of Nursing
The George Washington School of Nursing
Milken Institute School of Public Health
GW Cancer Center
202-994-1481
Email: NMRFresearchgwu [dot] edu (NMRFresearch[at]gwu[dot]edu)