# Building Undergraduate Research Training as a Foundation for Diversifying Addiction Research

> **NIH NIH R25** · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $161,786

## Abstract

Project summary/abstract
The goal of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) undergraduate research education program is to
develop an intensive training and mentorship program during the academic year for undergraduates from
underrepresented (UR) groups, in order to create a pipeline for increasing diversity in substance use research.
VCU is a large, diverse university (30% of our students are from UR minority populations, over 30% are Pell
grant eligible and the 2019 freshman class was 32% first-generation students) and offers a supportive
environment in which to recruit and train UR scholars. Additionally, our university has a substantial
NIDA/NIAAA award portfolio with a large team of interdisciplinary researchers studying substance use and
related health outcomes. Specifically, the program will: (1) offer an introductory research course for
undergraduates focused on foundational research skill development and exposure to addiction research; (2)
engage class alumni, from underrepresented groups, in a semester-long, mentored research experience in the
lab of a substance use researcher; (3) provide fellows with professional and career development opportunities
to strengthen students' readiness to apply to graduate school and pursue research careers; and (4) train the
next generation of researchers in the dissemination and translation of research through scientific
communication opportunities with other scientists and the broader community. Afterwards, monthly
programming will continue for all program alumni to extend development opportunities and allow fellows to
create and maintain cohesive support networks throughout their collegiate careers and assist them in the
transition to graduate school. Program success will be evaluated across recruitment, student program
completion, fellows' graduation from university, and their continued engagement in research and graduate
school matriculation. Student learning outcomes will be assessed in conjunction with VCU's teaching and
learning center. Our university's substance use research expertise, in addition to VCU's diverse student body
and excellent infrastructure/support for undergraduate researchers, position this program to contribute
significantly to increasing diversity in substance use research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10425434
- **Project number:** 5R25DA051339-02
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Amy Elizabeth Adkins
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $161,786
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-06-15 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10425434

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10425434, Building Undergraduate Research Training as a Foundation for Diversifying Addiction Research (5R25DA051339-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10425434. Licensed CC0.

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