# Intermountain Doctoral Education to Advance Students (IDEAS) in Neuroscience

> **NIH NIH R25** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $475,869

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The mission of the Intermountain Doctoral Education to Advance Students (IDEAS) in Neuroscience is to build
a diverse neuroscience workforce reflecting the talent pool of a diverse local and national population. The
University of Utah is committed to fortifying, sustaining, and amplifying the STEM pipeline that trains and
launches a diverse research workforce. This postbaccalaureate training program will specifically address the
limited access to research opportunities that inhibit students from underrepresented backgrounds and small
colleges from transitioning from undergraduate to doctoral training. IDEAS in Neuroscience will recruit 4 students
per year from diverse backgrounds, with a specific focus on students from Intermountain West institutions that
serve Hispanic/Latino and Native American communities. Creating a bridge between undergraduate and
graduate training for driven, engaged students will be of significant value to both the individual student and the
larger biomedical community that will benefit from their long-term retention in biomedical research-related
careers. In order to accomplish our program mission, we will provide trainees with a (1) holistic, culturally-
competent mentored experience centered on hypothesis-driven independent research and supported with
interactive and didactic coursework ; (2) professional development and career-building activities designed to
nurture self-efficacy, scientific identity, and a sense of belonging; (3) an innovative, inclusive mentoring system
that provides career-long scientific, personal, and cultural support; and (4) coaching in selecting and preparing
applications for PhD program, refining interview skills, and effectively managing the transition to graduate school.
Throughout the training process, we employ a matrix mentoring approach that incorporates peer and near-peer
support and imbed trainees into STEM communities the provide access to diverse role-models. Our approach is
built on University-wide momentum and infrastructure dedicated to supporting STEM equity, diversity and
inclusion. The IDEAS in Neuroscience program will fortify its trainees critical thinking and research mastery while
facilitating development of the resilient mindset needed persist in graduate training and beyond.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10756540
- **Project number:** 5R25NS130964-02
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Ryan M O'Connell
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $475,869
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-01-01 → 2026-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10756540

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10756540, Intermountain Doctoral Education to Advance Students (IDEAS) in Neuroscience (5R25NS130964-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10756540. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*