# Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program

> **NIH NIH R25** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $267,700

## Abstract

This proposal aims to enhance diversity within the biomedical workforce by supporting the development of six
recent baccalaureate graduates from underrepresented backgrounds to be competitive for neuroscience PhD
and/or MD/PhD programs in the best research-oriented universities in the country. The “Northwestern
University Interdepartmental Neuroscience Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (NU IN-PREP)”
represents a cross-departmental initiative that will be administered by leading faculty within the Northwestern
University Interdepartmental Neuroscience (NUIN) PhD Program. Because neuroscience is highly
interdisciplinary and applicants are from varied academic backgrounds, IN-PREP will create individualized
plans for skill building experiences tailored to each scholar's training objectives, thus providing the best
preparation for success in graduate school. Experienced IN-PREP mentors, in collaboration with the IN-PREP
Director, will work with trainees to customize a one year research program focused on developing critical
thinking skills, research techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication. Preparation for graduate
school admissions will include a GRE workshop, advice on writing personal statements and interviewing skills.
Coursework will include one advanced undergraduate or graduate course to complement the trainee's previous
coursework, mini-courses in cellular physiology and cell and molecular biology, and scientific communication
workshops. Intensive advising using Individual Development Plans will be done to ensure that skill building,
research training and graduate school applications are progressing. IN-PREP will take advantage of the
centralized infrastructure of NUIN, which will work closely with IN-PREP to provide administrative support and
a broad range of training opportunities, including: guidance for graduate school admissions, engagement with
NUIN graduate students at seminars, the annual retreat, and training events in one of six institutional NIH-
funded neuroscience training programs. IN-PREP scholars will integrate into the broader neuroscience
community by attending the annual national and Chicago Chapter meetings of the Society for Neuroscience.
Cohort building activities include participation in select events sponsored by the IMSD-funded Collaborative
Learning and Integrated Mentoring in the Biosciences Program; two joint socials with University of Chicago
PREP trainees; and a joint scientific conference with PREP trainees from the University of Chicago, Mayo
Clinic and University of Michigan. IN-PREP will be administered by the Director, two co-Directors, a Program
Assistant, and a Steering Committee. Program evaluation and fine tuning will be done annually and an
External Advisory Committee will evaluate IN-PREP during the second and fourth year of the funding cycle.
The milestones of NU IN-PREP are for at least 80% of trainees to be admitted to a top ranked neuroscience
graduate program and for at l...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10152609
- **Project number:** 5R25GM121231-05
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN F DISTERHOFT
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $267,700
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-05-01 → 2022-05-12

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10152609

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10152609, Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (5R25GM121231-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10152609. Licensed CC0.

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