Training underrepresented minorities in alcohol and substance use research

Rising STARS (Scientific Training in Alcohol Research and other Substances) Program

NIH-funded research University of Southern California · NIH-10876298

The Rising STARS Program at USC is designed to help undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds learn about addiction and substance use disorders through hands-on research and training, so they can pursue careers in this important field.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10876298 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The Rising STARS Program at the University of Southern California aims to enhance the training of undergraduate students from underrepresented minorities in the field of alcohol and substance use disorders. This program collaborates with California State University, Los Angeles, and Charles R. Drew Medical University to provide a unique educational and research experience. Participants will engage in various aspects of addiction science, including preclinical, clinical, public health, and policy approaches, under the guidance of experienced faculty. The program focuses on developing the skills and creativity of these students to prepare them for advanced studies and careers in addiction research.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are undergraduate students from underrepresented minority backgrounds interested in pursuing careers in addiction research.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergraduate students or who do not belong to underrepresented minority groups may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more diverse workforce in addiction science, ultimately improving treatment and prevention strategies for alcohol and substance use disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Similar educational programs have shown success in increasing diversity in scientific fields, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.