A team of researchers has been awarded a prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) R25 grant to establish a new, Firearm Injury Prevention Research in Nursing Scholars Program (FIPRN). The program will be led by the Injury & Violence Prevention Center (IVPC) at the Colorado School of Public Health, in close partnership with the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative (FIPI) in the CU School of Medicine and with faculty at the CU College of Nursing.
The new FIPRN Scholars Program will equip early-career nursing researchers with specialized training in prevention science, research methods, and community engagement strategies. Through the program, scientists from nursing and other disciplines will gain the skills to be more effective in preventing firearm-related injuries within the clinical and community settings.
“Firearm violence, including suicide, interpersonal violence, and mass shootings, is a persistent and serious public health concern in Colorado and across the country,” said Emmy Betz, MD, MPH, epidemiologist and emergency medicine physician. “We’re proud to train the next generation of nurse researchers in approaches that are scientific, respectful, non-divisive, and grounded in real-world collaboration with affected communities.”
Firearm-related injuries are a leading cause of death in the U.S. and in Colorado. Among suicide deaths in Colorado, more than half involve a firearm,[1] and firearm deaths have increased in Colorado over the past decade.[2] Colorado ranks among the top half of states for firearm deaths.[3]
“Nurses bring a unique, patient-centered perspective to firearm injury prevention,” said Scott Harpin, PhD, MPH, RN, professor and director of the DNP/MPH dual degree program at the College of Nursing. Harpin continues, “From the bedside to the community, nurses witness firsthand the needs in the community. Investing in the training and development of nursing leaders is essential to addressing the complex issue of firearm injury.”
The grant will fund the first-ever FIPRN Scholars Program, which has a goal of developing and supporting the next generation of nurse scientists. With each year of funding, the grant supports the training of a cohort of researchers who are committed to researching and preventing firearm-related injuries. They will be recruited from Colorado and across the country, will come to CU Anschutz for intensive training on the topic, and will receive periodic professional development and other mentorship during the grant period. Recruitment for the program is expected to begin in October of 2025.
“Nurses and nursing scientists are trusted community leaders and advocates. This innovative program is an important step forward for both public health and nursing science,” added Ashley Brooks-Russell, PhD, MPH, director of the IVPC and associate professor at the Colorado School of Public Health. “We are honored to have been selected for this prestigious funding award, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to make Colorado a source of hope and opportunity in this important area of research.”
The project is co-led by Betz, Harpin and Terri Lewis, PhD, professor of pediatrics, CU School of Medicine, who will also support the project. his innovative effort exemplifies the strengthened and ongoing collaboration among the three schools and colleges. For more information, visit the Injury and Violence Prevention Center, Colorado School of Public Health, College of Nursing, and School of Medicine.
