# Guided Research Experiences and Applied Training (GREAT) in Alcohol Studies

> **NIH NIH R25** · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $120,398

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The goal of the Guided Research Experiences & Applied Training (GREAT) in Alcohol Studies program is to
provide innovative, intensive summer research experiences, in the study of alcohol and related behavioral
health outcomes, for undergraduates from underrepresented (UR) groups, in order to create a pipeline for
increasing diversity in biomedical and behavioral research. Since 2019, the program has funded research
experiences for 46 undergraduates from underrepresented groups with a majority of fellows continuing to
another research experience. The program also boasts high STEM graduation rates and ~40% enrollment in
graduate school. In the next funding period, GREAT in Alcohol Studies will bring together undergraduates from
Virginia Commonwealth University and Rutgers University to: (1) offer an innovative, 8 week summer research
experience for 10 program fellows, consisting of a combination of structured training (Week 1) and individual
mentorship (Weeks 2-8) under faculty with expertise in substance use and behavioral health, designed to
provide young researchers with foundational research skills, experiential learning, and responsible conduct of
research training; (2) provide professional and career development opportunities for fellows, to facilitate
student success in research and to prepare students for behavioral research careers; (3) offer fellows a
comprehensive mentoring model including a mentor at each project site and “near peer” mentor from our
alumni pool; and (4) disseminate program findings and student research through both traditional (e.g., scientific
posters) and innovative (e.g., infographics) means, to train the next generation of researchers in the
dissemination and translation of research. Professional and career development, as well as research
internships, will extend beyond the summer program, affording support throughout the remainder of the fellow's
academic career. Program success will be evaluated across recruitment, student program completion, and
fellows' continued engagement in research and entrance into research-related careers. GREAT offers fellows
exciting benefits including an expansion of alcohol-related research training within two diverse universities,
cross-fostering of ideas and exchange of information between students at both sites, and expansion of student
networks through additional mentorship opportunities and position us to contribute significantly to increasing
diversity in the next generation of alcohol researchers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11058633
- **Project number:** 2R25AA027402-06
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Amy Elizabeth Adkins
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $120,398
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2018-09-20 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11058633

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11058633, Guided Research Experiences and Applied Training (GREAT) in Alcohol Studies (2R25AA027402-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11058633. Licensed CC0.

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