Colorado Immersion Training
What is Colorado Immersion Training?
Applications for the 2025 CCTSI Colorado Immersion Training (CIT) in Community Engagement will be accepted through March 3, 2025.
The Colorado Immersion Training (CIT) is a unique community-campus educational initiative that aims to introduce an expanded pool of researchers to community-based participatory research (CBPR) and community engagement. CIT supports a change in the research trajectory of junior faculty, early career researchers and doctoral students towards community engagement. CIT is a six-month program for researchers from all disciplines seeking new skills and knowledge in community engaged translational research.
- Learn core principles of community-based participatory research and community engaged translational research
- Develop skills to engage community partners in research
- Spend time in a local Colorado community to learn first-hand about the community and begin relationship-building
- Receive ongoing technical assistance and coaching from CCTSI Faculty and Staff
- Learn about special funding opportunities
Who should apply?
CIT is for researchers from all health-related disciplines seeking new skills and knowledge in community engagement and CBPR. Faculty, early career researchers, instructors, fellows, post-doctoral researchers and doctoral students are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be housed at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus or another CCTSI-affiliated institution and have the ability to write grants. See the FAQ or application for additional information about eligibility.
2025 Tracks
San Luis Valley
Be immersed in the rural San Luis Valley (SLV), a region of over 8,000 square miles with a deep history and diversity between the many communities within. An experience to learn from and engage with community members from diverse backgrounds and life experiences - those with deep seeded histories in the valley and newcomers alike. You will also experience the vast beauty of this region. Through CIT, participants will understand the importance of the history of this region, learn about the connectedness and isolation that both often define these communities, and experience firsthand the strength, uniqueness, and creativity that keep these communities going as well as the obstacles, challenges, and concerns that are often unique to SLV communities. Learn directly from the community members about their experiences, explore their unique strengths and challenges related to health, and health and begin making connections on shared areas of research interests.
Urban African American
Track Description: CIT participants will be introduced to the African American community within the Denver Metro region. This track is a deep dive into the landscape of organizations and community members working to support African American, BIPOC and youth through participatory action research, and influence policy change for the betterment of the populations that they serve. Participants will learn how to uplift these communities and not cause harm in the manner that they conduct and report out their research findings. Through CIT, participants will gain an understanding of the lived experiences that shape community perspectives around research and begin fostering connections for future community-driven programs and research opportunities.
2025 Program Dates*
- Application Deadline: March 3, 2025, 5:00 pm
- Orientation: April 23, 2025, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
- Directed Readings and Online Discussion: May 5 - May 30
- Week Intensive in Community: June 9 - 13 (all day)
- Program Debrief and Reflection: July 9, 2025, 5:00 - 7:00 pm (In Person)
- Follow up and Mentoring: August - October
*Before you apply! Please ensure that you are available to participate in the entire course, which includes meetings, directed readings, five full days/evenings in community in June and related follow-up activities. Rural track participants must be available to spend 4 consecutive days and nights in the San Luis Valley. Partial participation is not permitted.
Please contact Kaylee Gordon, 760-963-7818 if you have any questions.
