UCANU Health Services Research Program (AHRQ T32)

The University of Chicago and Northwestern University (UCANU) Predoctoral Health Services Research Program is a T32 training grant supported by AHRQ that provides funding and training for predoctoral students already enrolled in a University of Chicago PhD program. The program incorporates interdisciplinary training in health services research, covering topics such as comparative and cost-effectiveness analysis, patient safety and quality, patient-centered care, markets and organization, health care disparities, and learning health care systems. Trainees typically begin the program in their third or fourth years of graduate training and divide their time between advanced coursework in their discipline, workshops, and dissertation research. Every trainee receives personalized mentorship, with primary mentors providing guidance on coursework selection, research and career planning, and professional connections. The program emphasizes advanced courses relevant to health services research including statistical methods, psychometrics, and industrial organization. Required activities include regular attendance and annual presentations at joint UCANU research seminars, participation in the Health Economics Workshop, completion of semi-annual learning plans, attendance at the annual National Research Service Award meeting and AcademyHealth conference, and training in Responsible Conduct of Research. Predoctoral fellows have come from diverse departments including the Booth School of Business, Economics, Harris School of Public Policy, Psychology, Public Health Sciences, and other programs. Note: Recruitment is temporarily on hold pending receipt of notice of non-competitive renewal from AHRQ. Students may also join as unfunded predoctoral affiliates who participate in program activities except for the AcademyHealth conference and NRSA meeting.