Training Opportunities

The Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research offers a range of training opportunities for Columbia Nursing PhD and DNP students, as well as local and national nurses.

PRISM Program

Program Overview

The Program for Advancing Translational Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research (PRISM) is a four-day, in-person training program for emerging nurse scientists. Held at the Columbia University School of Nursing, PRISM is designed for nurses enrolled in PhD programs who plan to pursue careers in sexual and gender minority health research.

Program Dates: June 8-11, 2027
Location: Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY
Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are available to help cover travel, lodging, and meals

Please submit your application no later than Friday, December 18th at 11:59 PM EST.

Apply here

Program Goals

Prism aims to:

Identify emerging nurse scientists with strong potential to advance knowledge in sexual and gender minority health.

Increase scholars’ knowledge, skills, and motivation to develop independent programs of sexual and gender minority health research.

Provide mentorship that supports the translation of sexual and gender minority health research into meaningful changes in practice and policy.
Offer intensive, individualized training and guidance to help scholars establish independent research programs.

What Selected Scholars will Receive

Selected PRISM Scholars will:

Enhance their knowledge of sexual and gender minority health research, including relevant theories (e.g., minority stress model, ecological models), research methods (e.g., intervention design, community-engaged research), and emerging areas of study (e.g., bioinformatics).
Strengthen the research skills needed to conduct rigorous and impactful sexual and gender minority health research.
Receive individualized mentorship from experienced scientists for 12 months.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be nurses and must meet all of the following criteria:

Be enrolled in a United States-based PhD program in nursing or an aligned fields (e.g., public health, epidemiology, gerontology) during the 2027-2028 academic year.
Be in good academic standing in their PhD program.
Submit a letter of reference from their PhD program advisor.
Articulate plans to submit a grant application within the next year to support a research project related to sexual and gender minority health.

If you have any questions regarding the application process or program, please contact us at son_csgmhr@cumc.columbia.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for PRISM?

PRISM is open to nurses who will be enrolled in a United States-based PhD program during the 2027–2028 academic year. Applicants must be in good academic standing and have an interest in developing a program of research related to sexual and gender minority health.

Do I need to be enrolled in a nursing PhD program?

No. Applicants may be enrolled in a PhD program in nursing or an aligned field, such as public health, epidemiology, or gerontology. However, all applicants must have been trained as nurses.

Can individuals who are not nurses apply?

No. PRISM is specifically designed for nurse scientists, and applicants must have been trained as nurses.

Can postdoctoral fellows apply?

No. Applicants must be enrolled in an eligible PhD program during the 2027–2028 academic year.

Can master’s or doctoral practice students apply?

No. Applicants must be enrolled in a research-focused PhD program.

Can nurses enrolled in PhD programs outside the United States apply?

No. Applicants must be enrolled in a United States-based PhD program during the 2027–2028 academic year.

Do I need to be a United States citizen or permanent resident?

Eligibility is based on enrollment in a United States-based PhD program rather than citizenship. Applicants with questions about their individual eligibility should contact son_csgmhr@cumc.columbia.edu before applying.

Do I need to be conducting sexual and gender minority health research already?

Applicants should demonstrate a clear commitment to sexual and gender minority health research and describe plans to submit a grant application related to this area within the next year.

Is PRISM offered virtually?

No. PRISM is a four-day, in-person program held at Columbia University School of Nursing in New York City.

Does PRISM cover travel, lodging, and meals?

Selected scholars will have their travel, lodging, and meal expenses covered.

When is the application due?

Applications must be submitted by Friday, December 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

I have questions about PRISM. How can I learn more?

We will host a virtual information session on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. During the session, prospective applicants will have an opportunity to learn more about PRISM and ask questions about the program, eligibility requirements, and application process.

CSGMHR Fellowship Program

The CSGMHR Fellowship Program provides rigorous interdisciplinary training and mentorship to emerging scientists in nursing and related disciplines who are committed to advancing sexual and gender minority health.

The program brings together predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows from across Columbia University, including the School of Nursing, the Mailman School of Public Health, and the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Fellows receive mentorship from core CSGMHR faculty and participate in twice-monthly program meetings. These meetings include:

The CSGMHR Seminar Series, which features presentations by established and early-stage investigators on a broad range of topics related to sexual and gender minority health.
Works-in-progress sessions, during which CSGMHR fellows present their research and receive constructive feedback from faculty and peers.

To learn more about the CSGMHR Fellowship Program or how to become a fellow, please contact us at son_csgmhr@cumc.columbia.edu.