# Mentoring Emerging Scientists for Careers in Substance Use Research

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2024 · $340,201

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
This application from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) seeks continuation of funding for the
Learning for Early Careers in Addiction and Diversity (LEAD) for clinical researchers. Historically
underrepresented racial and ethnic minoritized groups (URGs) experience personal and institutional-level
barriers that may hinder the progression of their academic career, including obtaining independent NIH research
funding. Although all new investigators face difficulty securing NIH funding, and efforts are being made at the
NIH to address the challenges experienced by URGs, disparities persist. The overarching goal of LEAD is to
support the career advancement of URG scholars to increase diversity in NIH funding. The program continues
its mission to provide training to postdoctoral fellows and assistant professors from URGs with the primary goal
of increasing the number of NIH-funded URGs who conduct NIH-supported substance use and substance use
disorder (SUD) research. LEAD builds on the platform of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Clinical
Trials Network (CTN), a network of scientists and healthcare organizations that offers a broad infrastructure for
multisite testing of science-based SUD therapies. During the next five years, LEAD will bring innovation by
enhancing mentor training for both scholars and mentors to increase effective mentoring of URG trainees.
Specific aims are to: 1) Match trainee scholars with senior scientists in the CTN who provide scientific mentoring,
sponsorship, and professional guidance; 2) fund pilot studies to provide Scholars with preliminary data to support
subsequent NIH applications; 3) assist Scholars in developing grant-writing skills and submitting competitive NIH
applications during the LEAD training period; 4) offer training in cultural tailoring of evidence-based treatments
and implementation research methods; 5) enhance skills for successful mentoring; and 6) foster a networking
structure to build relationships with leading experts in SUD clinical trials research. Scholars participate in 3 years
of training, including an annual 4-week summer intensive program of courses and workshops at UCSF, mentoring
and training during the academic year, and participation in CTN national research and training meetings.
Scholars are matched with CTN senior investigators who mentor them through the 3-year training period as well
as with a Diversity Advisor and a separate UCSF Mentor. A successful NIH award for research or career
development is the key measurable outcome for participating Scholars. The program addresses the need for
URG investigators who have expertise in conducting SUD treatment research that impacts healthcare policy and
practice. The long-term goals address disparities in NIH funding for URGs and diversity of the scientific workforce
in the addictions field.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10740819
- **Project number:** 2R25DA035163-11
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Carmen L Masson
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $340,201
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2014-05-01 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10740819

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10740819, Mentoring Emerging Scientists for Careers in Substance Use Research (2R25DA035163-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10740819. Licensed CC0.

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