About Us

The Maternal Health Research Collaborative

Program Overview

The Maternal Health Research Collaborative (MHRC) for Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) has been launched to establish a research network that is comprised of and supports institutions to study maternal health outcomes through building a culture of maternal health problem solving research. The MHRC consists of 16 Research Centers (RC) located in the following states: AL, CA, DC, FL, GA, HI, MD, MS, NY, OH, PR, TN and TX, along with the Maternal Health Research Coordinating Center (MHRCC) located at Morgan State University in MD.

The Collaborative is committed to creating a “Culture of Maternal Health Problem Solving Research” through focusing on building maternal health research capacity to address overall maternal health, maternal morbidity and maternal mortality outcomes. The 16 RCs will conduct applied research to identify root causes and develop solutions through community-engaged approaches. The MHRCC will support the RCs through enhancing research capabilities, providing technical assistance, and improving productivity and maternal health impact. Additionally, the MHRCC provides mentoring for early-stage investigators (ESI) and collects data to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the collaborative.

Any Questions?

As a research collaborative, the MHRC funds multiple research centers and the Maternal Health Research Coordinating Center (MHRCC). The MHRCC works to help research centers build their maternal health research capacity.

A research network funds one grantee. The grantee then works with other institutions on a particular study topic.

The Coordinating Center:

  • Support research by helping the research centers build their capacity to conduct their studies.
  • Mentors the next generation of maternal health researchers.
  • Builds capacity by:
    • Creating a learning community for research centers to share best practices
    • Offering education activities to help research centers build research capacity to conduct research and compete for funding
    • Organize in-person meetings and working groups

Each research institution will study an aspect of maternal health that’s important to their local community. These may include:

  • The role of doulas, fathers and community health workers
  • Care models that address illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, sickle cell, diabetes, and other chronic illness
  • Behavioral health, mental health, and social risk factors
  • Workforce development and solutions

They’re expected to:

  • Engage communities in all aspects of problem-solving maternal health research
  • Improve the early career researchers’ ability to conduct maternal health research
  • Complete a research project on a maternal health-related issue
  • Publish the research findings and translate them into practice

They may use technologies in their studies, including:

  • Predictive modeling: Uses statistical and computer modeling methods, based on historical data and patterns, to predict future health outcomes or trends
  • Mobile applications: Use existing maternal health phone applications or create new ones
  • Virtual learning platforms: Offer education through online systems and software