# University of Washington Significant Opportunities in Addiction Research (UW-SOAR) Neuroscience Doctoral Readiness Program

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $445,812

## Abstract

Project Summary
Neuroscience research and training have seen tremendous growth in recent years. Of note, this
progress has extended into the study of psychiatric disorders, which has increased our knowledge
around the neurobiology and mechanisms underlying drug use and addiction. Nonetheless, this
growth has not translated into training opportunities for historically marginalized groups, including
ethnic minorities, people from economically disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities.
These disparities in training, mentoring and education are particularly concerning for the study of
addiction, as the harms related to drug use and addiction disproportionally affect minority and
underserved communities. Thus, it remains critically important that our mentoring of the next
generation of neuroscientists is reflective of all the diverse groups in our society. We recognize
that research experience is not only a key factor in bolstering awareness and interest in
neuroscience careers, but also in the admittance and successful completion of neuroscience PhD
programs. Furthermore, we believe that the historic underrepresentation of marginalized groups
in neuroscience stems, in part, from a lack of research opportunities in these groups during their
undergraduate education. Thus, the primary objective of the University of Washington Substantial
Opportunities in Addiction Research (UW-SOAR) Doctoral Readiness Program is to close this
gap of training by providing diverse groups with a mentored research experience in a world-class
neuroscience laboratory in the UW NAPE (Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion) Center.
This experience will be coupled to unique educational and professional development opportunities
to facilitate their recruitment and success in neuroscience doctoral programs. To achieve this
goal, our program aims to 1) increase representation across multiple dimensions of difference
(race, ethnicity, gender, sex, geography, ability, etc.) among postbaccalaureate researchers to
improve the quality and diversity of science, 2) advance the matriculation and retention of diverse
groups of trainees in Neuroscience PhD programs, and 3) determine the effectiveness of the
SOAR program through an evaluation process.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10898849
- **Project number:** 5R25DA057786-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Susan Marie Ferguson
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $445,812
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-30 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10898849

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10898849, University of Washington Significant Opportunities in Addiction Research (UW-SOAR) Neuroscience Doctoral Readiness Program (5R25DA057786-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10898849. Licensed CC0.

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