# Graduate Training in Neuroscience

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2022 · $564,995

## Abstract

We propose to create a flexible, interdisciplinary, Jointly Sponsored NIH Predoctoral Training Program in the
Neurosciences (JSPTPN) to prepare exceptional predoctoral students in their first two years of graduate
school for productive careers in basic neuroscience research and related fields. Our proposed program trains
students to work towards understanding the operation of the nervous system, including education and research
opportunities to identify and ameliorate many dysfunctional and disease conditions such as stroke, epilepsy,
traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative disorders, and addiction. This program is based in the Neuroscience
Graduate Group (NGG), an interdisciplinary PhD program that includes faculty from 22 Departments in 6
Schools of the University of Pennsylvania plus the affiliated Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Graduate
education in biomedical sciences at Penn is based on this kind of interdepartmental Graduate Group and is
overseen by the Office of Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS). BGS ensures effective curricular development,
quality control, and uniform admission standards across all relevant Graduate Groups, including the NGG.
Direct management of the proposed training program is done by a five-person Executive Committee that sets
and reviews policy and selects trainees. Faculty membership is governed by: 1) expertise in a relevant field of
study, 2) significant contribution to training, 3) commitment to the goals of the program, and 4) extramural
funding to support trainees. Junior faculty receive extensive guidance on mentoring. Admission of students to
the NGG is vetted by a BGS-wide admissions committee. Subsequent admission to the proposed JSPTPN will
be decided by its Executive Committee. Support for each trainee will encompass their first 21 months in
graduate school. The Training Program will consist of two years of coursework plus at least two lab rotations.
All students will take a yearly course on the responsible conduct of scientific research and will participate in
several newly developed training components that focus on instruction in the scientific method and statistical
methodology. Students will also receive training through seminars, journal clubs, annual retreats, scientific
meetings, paper and poster presentations, and social events that encourage interactions. Successful
completion of a comprehensive Candidacy Examination marks the start of independent research toward the
dissertation. Thesis research is conducted under the supervision of a faculty advisor and is monitored by a
Thesis Committee and the NGG Academic Review Committee. The dissertation defense takes place when the
thesis advisor and committee agree that the work is complete. Most graduates move on for advanced
(postdoctoral) training and pursue an academic career. Based on the number of potential trainees, we request
support for 12 predoctoral trainees/year for the next 5 years.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10433984
- **Project number:** 5T32NS105607-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** JOSHUA I GOLD
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $564,995
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10433984

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10433984, Graduate Training in Neuroscience (5T32NS105607-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10433984. Licensed CC0.

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