# The Howard University Expanding Research in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias  Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (HU-ERA-PREP)

> **NIH AG R25** · HOWARD UNIVERSITY · 2026 · $428,418

## Abstract

The Howard University Enhancing Research in Alzheimer’s Disease (HU-ERA) program is a two-year postbaccalaureate research training initiative designed to prepare recent college graduates for successful entry into advanced research careers in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The program addresses the growing national need to expand and strengthen the biomedical research workforce focused on ADRD. The program leverages the established research infrastructure at Howard University, including related STEM and neuroscience-focused
initiatives. HU-ERA Scholars will engage in full-time mentored research and structured professional development activities to develop expertise relevant to ADRD-focused biomedical research, including critical thinking, responsible conduct of research, quantitative analysis, data interpretation, and science communication. These activities are designed to cultivate trainees’ research skills and professional competencies as biomedical researchers.

The central training component is full-time, intensive biomedical research in an ADRD-focused laboratory, guided by a dedicated mentor within a structured mentoring framework. Additional training components include an Aging Brain course; an ADRD seminar series; training in responsible conduct of research; workshops on key research practices, including rigor and reproducibility, data analysis and interpretation; and other professional skill-building activities. Host research mentors and participating faculty in the HU-ERA program maintain rigorous neuroscience research programs with strong records of research productivity, trainee development, and mentorship. Mentors are aligned with the HUERA program’s mission to develop the ADRD biomedical research workforce. Scholar–mentor matches are made
based on research interests and prior experience. Upon completion of the two-year research training program, HUERA scholars will be well prepared to transition into research-focused advanced degree p

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11413507
- **Project number:** 5R25AG086106-03
- **Recipient organization:** HOWARD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JOANNE S ALLARD; ATANU  DUTTAROY; Sudha  Sharma
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** AG
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $428,418
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2024-05-15T00:00:00 → 2029-04-30T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11413507

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11413507, The Howard University Expanding Research in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias  Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (HU-ERA-PREP) (5R25AG086106-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11413507. Licensed CC0.

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