# EDUCATE (Educating Diverse Undergraduates for Careers in Addiction/Substance Abuse Research via Training Experiences) Scholars Program at UMBC

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY · 2020 · $151,186

## Abstract

SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The purpose of this application is to obtain funding for five years to support research training of
27 students (sophomores through seniors) in the EDUCATE Scholars Program at UMBC. The
program aims to annually recruit, train and retain undergraduate sophomores from groups
underrepresented in nine STEM majors (Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Bioinformatics,
Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics).
Participants are expected to pursue post-baccalaureate training experiences, with the ultimate
goal of earning a PhD or MD/PhD. Through sustained research experiences with seasoned and
experienced faculty, a vast array of mentoring and educational activities, and sequential skills
development courses, EDUCATE is designed to provide an engaging and transformative
experience that prepares selected students to thrive in STEM and successfully navigate the
often treacherous transition to the next career stage in pursuit of a career in biomedical science.
Participants will be selected through a holistic application process, specifically identifying
students from diverse backgrounds who have demonstrated interest for careers in biomedical
research and interest in research relating to drug/substance abuse and addiction. The program
will utilize a cohort model, promoting close-knit, supportive community among scholars. The
PI/PD, a tenured full professor, is experienced leading successful undergraduate
diversity/education/research/training initiatives, maintains an active research group, and
possess a strong record training and mentoring undergraduates. A multi-method evaluation
study assessing both short-term and long-term outcomes will be conducted by a full-time
research professor at UMBC.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10018308
- **Project number:** 1R25DA051338-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY
- **Principal Investigator:** William Richard LaCourse
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $151,186
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-06-01 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10018308

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10018308, EDUCATE (Educating Diverse Undergraduates for Careers in Addiction/Substance Abuse Research via Training Experiences) Scholars Program at UMBC (1R25DA051338-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10018308. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*