Background: The NIH-funded Community Partnerships to Advance Science for Society (ComPASS) program empowers community organizations to lead research addressing root causes of poor health outcomes. This initiative underscores the importance of identifying and sharing tools and resources for community-led research, traditionally underfunded by the NIH.

Methods: In Fall 2023, the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research received a supplement for the ComPASS Collective for Community Engagement to develop and share resources, tools, and best practices for community participation in health equity research. In collaboration with community partners, the ComPASS Collective, reviewed 18,080 sources on community-led research and health equity. The search covered 39 sources including 14 databases, 10 preprint servers, and 15 grey literature sites. The team also analyzed 417 NIH-funded projects to assess trends, gaps, and best practices, drawing from a pool of 3,768 awards identified via the NIH RePORTER. Additionally, the Collective conducted 30 interviews with community leaders and researchers to explore barriers and facilitators to community engagement in health equity research. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically using Dedoose to identify key themes and categories. Finally, the team hosted three community convenings, including an in-person meeting with Tribal communities, engaging over 127 participants across 23 states. Meeting participants were identified using multipronged outreach approach through academic institutions, community organizations, and funding groups.

Results: The literature review identified 125 papers, 240 best practices, and 110 resources, with a focus on planning (203 best practices, 88 resources) and implementation (144 best practices, 63 resources) stages, emphasizing on trust and collaboration. Analysis of 417 projects highlighted opportunities to enhance regional funding and support for health equity interventions. Interviews revealed needs for capacity-building, power-sharing frameworks, and sustainability planning. Convenings stressed the importance of trust and knowledge exchange, with participants advocating for sustained institutional support beyond initial funding.

Conclusion: Employing a community-engaged approach revealed new resources and perspectives that were previously undocumented, increasing the available tools for conducting community-led health equity research.

Public Health Implications: The ComPASS program signifies a paradigm shift in health equity research, positioning communities at the forefront of scientific discovery.