Gator IMPACT Scholars: An Undergraduate Course and Structured Mentorship Program in Community-Engaged Implementation Science

Training materials for community-engaged dissemination and implementation (D&I) science are typically designed for practitioners, established researchers, or graduate students, limiting the ability of undergraduate students to integrate community-engaged D&I into their research. Early exposure to an appropriate level of these concepts and available resources can help improve their reach across a wide variety of disciplines. Coupling training with hands-on experience can help promote a new generation of researchers who prioritize both implementation and community engagement in every stage of research from design through dissemination. In 2023, the Community Participation in Implementation Science Action Group identified a priority need for “training undergraduates in D&I and community engagement.” In response, a mini-curriculum and structured mentorship program were developed through a 2024 CCIS Public Goods Award and piloted in Spring 2025. The report describes the development and implementation of the program, while the accompanying user guide provides recommendations for utilizing the course materials and mentorship model in other settings.