# Scientific Training in Addiction Research Techniques (START) for gifted future investigators from historically underrepresented and underserved backgrounds.

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA · 2023 · $365,981

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
National and global substance misuse challenges require sustainable pipelines of elite investigators with a
wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and talents. Despite initiatives to promote diversity, certain groups
remain grossly underrepresented in the field. Many URM and disadvantaged scholars face multidimensional
historical and social obstacles that limit their access to the early enrichment, rigorous training, effective
mentoring, nourishing environments and financial support necessary to become drug misuse scientists. There
is a publication and funding award disparity between traditional students versus URM, disadvantaged or first-
generation investigators. These disparities are due in part to training gaps that occur in undergraduate
matriculation and have domino effects throughout one’s career to adversely affect employment, tenure
qualifications, and other aspects of academic life. The scarcity of URM scholars in drug abuse research is
particularly problematic as minority and disadvantaged communities have historically suffered
disproportionately from substance misuse crises. It is essential that we arrest these trends by developing
optimal training programs for URM scholars. To that end, we propose a year-long comprehensive research
education program titled “Scientific Training in Addiction Research Techniques (START) for gifted future
investigators from historically underrepresented and underserved backgrounds.” START specifically prepares
investigators to access, analyze, and disseminate data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development
(ABCD) study through both mentored research experiences and didactic skill-building courses. The ABCD
Study is the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States and uses an
“open science” framework to make all data publicly available. Trainees will complete coursework to support
their professional development, and will complete an independent, mentored research project using ABCD
data. Start scholars will present and/or publish their scientific findings, and a comprehensive program
evaluation will monitor trainees, mentors, and the program as a whole. The overarching goal of START is to
create a diverse pipeline of substance misuse clinical researchers who are trained in the analysis and
dissemination of data from the ABCD study.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10741281
- **Project number:** 1R25DA059073-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** HUGH P. GARAVAN
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $365,981
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-06-15 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10741281

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10741281, Scientific Training in Addiction Research Techniques (START) for gifted future investigators from historically underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. (1R25DA059073-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10741281. Licensed CC0.

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