The Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Consortium was established in 2002 through a NIH/NIDA infrastructure grant. In 2004, SIRC became a Research Center partially funded by the Arizona Board of Regents.  As of October, 2007 SIRC has been upgraded to an Exploratory Center of Excellence with a grant from NCMHD/NIH. 

SIRC is a reality due to the ongoing support of our funding sponsors and the encouragement we receive from many of you. We would like to thank specifically:

• The National Institute of Health/National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities for selecting SIRC as a Center of Excellence.
• The staff of the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse for their support and confidence.
• The members of SIRC Community Advisory Board whose help in securing the grant and ongoing feedback has been invaluable. We look forward to a long lasting partnership with each and every school and agency you represent.
• The ASU Office of the Provost, Office of the Vice-Provost for Research and Economic Affairs, the College of Public Programs, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Social Work, and the Department of Sociology, for their extensive and ongoing support.
• The faculty, administration, and staff of the School of Social Work for their enthusiasm and dedication to the SIRC idea.
• The faculty of the Department of Sociology for engaging in true interdisciplinary collaboration.
• The graduate students, undergraduate students, and SIRC staff that make our work possible.

Flavio F. Marsiglia, Ph.D.,
SIRC Director
Foundation Professor of Cultural Diversity and Health

personal website: http://www.public.asu.edu/~fla99/