Building a diverse neuroscience workforce
Official title: Intermountain Doctoral Education to Advance Students (IDEAS) in Neuroscience
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11003787 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program is designed to help students from diverse backgrounds, especially Hispanic/Latino and Native American communities, gain valuable research experience in neuroscience after their undergraduate studies, with support from mentors to help them grow in their scientific careers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $475,869 |
| NIH project number | 5R25NS130964-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003787 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are students from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly those attending institutions that serve Hispanic/Latino and Native American communities.
✕Less likely to help
Students who are not from underrepresented backgrounds or who are not pursuing a career in neuroscience may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
This program aims to enhance the representation of underrepresented groups in neuroscience by providing postbaccalaureate training opportunities. It focuses on recruiting students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those from Hispanic/Latino and Native American communities in the Intermountain West. Participants will engage in hypothesis-driven independent research, supported by mentorship and professional development activities designed to foster their scientific identity and career aspirations. The program seeks to bridge the gap between undergraduate and doctoral education in neuroscience.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more diverse and inclusive neuroscience workforce, improving representation and innovation in the field.
How similar studies have gone: Similar initiatives have shown success in increasing diversity in STEM fields, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilcox, Karen S — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Wilcox, Karen S
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.