Native Childrens Research Exchange Named New Scholars

Four Ph.D. candidates have joined the program to advance research on Native American child development.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Scholarships

Gouache-painted illustration of a wooden quill on a stack of parchment, evoking academic research and scholarly advancement. — The Native Children's Research Exchange has named four Ph.D. candidates to its latest scholars cohort, focusing on substance use prevention and child development. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should federal research funding prioritize support for underrepresented groups in academic science programs?

The Native Childrens Research Exchange has selected four Ph.D. candidates for its 15th scholars cohort. The group will undergo an 18-month mentorship program focused on substance use prevention and child development.

Why it matters

The program aims to build a sustainable pipeline of Native researchers who have historically been underrepresented in academic and clinical fields. By providing direct career development, the exchange helps increase research capacity within these specific communities.

The program supports four Ph.D. candidates over an 18-month duration. Since 2012, 45 total scholars have participated in the exchange.

The players

Native Childrens Research Exchange

This organization provides career development and mentorship to scholars researching Native American child development and substance use prevention.

National Institute on Drug Abuse

This federal research agency provides the funding necessary to support the Native Childrens Research Exchange Scholars Program.

The details

Scholars receive career development and mentorship to assist in the creation of research papers and grant applications. Participants also engage in intensive training, data analysis, and attendance at national research conferences to further their academic projects.

The NCRE Scholars program began providing mentorship in 2012.
The cohort kick-off meeting occurs Oct. 12-16, 2026, in Juneau, Alaska.

Roadmap

This program aligns with the National Institute on Drug Abuse funding criteria aimed at diversifying the national academic landscape. It serves as a structural model for how federal grants can bridge the gap for underrepresented voices in behavioral science.

This initiative affects the future quality of child development services by training researchers who will ultimately serve Native communities. Students and academics in these fields may look to these cohorts for future collaborative research opportunities.

The takeaway

Academic programs often rely on federal grant cycles to sustain their long-term research pipelines. Aspiring researchers can utilize these types of professional mentorship exchanges to improve their chances of securing independent grant funding.