Key Dates
2026 Cohort
Deadline
November 7, 2025
In-person Intensive
February 23-26, 2026
Virtual Learning
March-May, 2026
Final Convening (optional)
April 2026
Firearm Injury Prevention Research in Nursing (FIPRN) Scholars Program
Become a Leader in Firearm Injury Prevention Research
About
The FIPRN Scholars Program prepares researchers from nursing and allied fields to advance innovative, community-engaged work in firearm injury prevention.
Hosted by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO, the FIPRN Scholars Program is a 12-week hybrid training initiative designed to:
- Equip scientists from nursing and allied fields with cutting-edge research skills.
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement.
- Build a national network of firearm injury prevention researchers in nursing.
Who Should Apply?
Priority will be given to early-career nurse scientists (PhD, DNP, post-doctoral fellows), but the program is also suitable for doctoral students, pre-doctoral fellows, and/or residents in nursing, public health, medicine, or related fields.
Mid-career scientists interested in moving into firearm injury prevention research may also be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Curriculum Overview
Our Team
Scott Harpin PhD, MPH, RN, FSHAM
Associate Professor, Division Chair - MCH
- College of Nursing
- Department of Community & Behavioral Health
Scott Harpin joined the CU College of Nursing as an assistant professor in 2011, and holds an affiliate faculty position in the Colorado School of Public Health. Harpin received dual masters degrees and PhD from the University of Minnesota and hold the advanced public health nursing certification from ANCC. He was awarded “Fellow” status in the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine in 2015. His research focuses on the health outcomes and mental health promotion of vulnerable adolescent and young-adult populations, specifically runaway/homeless youth and those transitioning out of foster care. Areas of teaching include epidemiology, health promotion, nursing research, and public health nursing.
Harpin has worked as an advanced-practice public health nurse since the early 2000s. His long-time practice was at St. Joseph’s Home for Children in Minneapolis, which served as the central intake site for children entering the Hennepin County Child Protection System. Since joining the faculty at CU, Harpin has partnered with Urban Peak (Denver, CO) to investigate health utilization patterns of homeless youth and the effectiveness of a tailored screening and brief intervention for newly homeless youth. His research expertise extends to secondary data analyses of datasets, as well as using mixed methods for exploratory research to understand marginalized public health populations.
Harpin is the co-director of the DNP/MPH “Dual Degree” and DNP-PHN programs in the College of Nursing. He also serves as co-chair of the Colorado Child Fatality Review Team (Governor’s appointment), is a College of Nursing representative to the CU Community-Campus Partnership Initiative, and volunteers with the Rocky Mountain Medical Reserve Corps. He lives with his wife and 2 daughters in southeast Denver.
Areas of Expertise
Youth experiencing homelessness, mental health, public health nursing
Education, Licensure & Certifications
- PhD in Nursing, University of Minnesota 2010
- Master's in Adolescent and Pubic Health Nursing, University of Minnesota 2003
- Master's in Public Health, Maternal-Child Health; University of Minnesota School of Public Health 2003
- Bachelor's in Nursing, Minor in Psychology; Edgewood College 1998
Awards
- Fellow, Colorado Clinical Translational Sciences Institute, Clinical Faculty Scholars Program 2012-2014
- Fellow, (R25) Building Careers for Research in Child Maltreatment and Intimate Partner Violence: Early Career Scholar Interdisciplinary Training Program. NICHD, Washington University, Brown School of Social Work 2012
- Adolescent Health Prevention and Research Trainee Award (T01), Center for Disease Control, Center for Adolescent Nursing, Post-doctoral Training Fellowship 2010
- University of Minnesota Presidential Student Leadership Award, University of Minnesota 2008
- Delta Sigma Honor Society Inductee, 2006 cohort, honoring community work of alumni; University of Minnesota School of Public Health 2006
- Excellence in Nursing Education Award, Nominee; University of Minnesota School of Nursing Alumni Society 2005-2006
- Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society Inductee, 2004 community member cohort; University of Minnesota School of Nursing 2004
- Betty Hallstrom Memorial Award, University of Minnesota School of Public Health 2003
The FIPRN Scholar Program is developed and hosted by the University of Colorado Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, College of Nursing, and the Injury & Violence Prevention Center with funding from the National Institute for Nursing Research (R25NR021381).
