# Neuroscience Training in Drug Abuse Research

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2020 · $481,623

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Overview: For 30 years, this institutional training program at the University of Minnesota has focused on
the preparation of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for research and study in the field of drug
addiction. The faculty mentors are all members of the University interdepartmental Graduate Program of
Neuroscience. The 13 current trainers span four departments within the Academic Health Center. Our
trainers' research programs are strongly supported by extramural funds. Each shares the common
interest in understanding the changes that occur to the nervous system with drug abuse.
Objective: The proposed program is to support six predoctoral trainees and three postdoctoral fellows:
the same number of trainees supported by the current funding period. The vast majority of predoctoral
trainees are students in the interdepartmental Graduate Program of Neuroscience. This program has
been ranked as one of the top three graduate programs within the entire University. Exceptional
graduate students in departmental graduate programs (e.g. Pharmacology) that minor in Neuroscience
are also eligible. Graduate students become eligible for support at the end of their first year, once they
select a faculty mentor who is part of the training program. For postdoctoral fellows, a strong publication
history and previous training in addiction research are the most important criteria for selection to the
training grant. Of the eligible postdoctoral fellows working in the laboratories of our trainers, only the top
third are selected.
Rationale and Design: The motivation for this training program is for all trainees to experience the breadth
of topics, scientific approaches, and methodologies taken to study drug addiction. Additionally, research
programs across investigators are highly collaborative. This enrichment is intended to maximize the
trainees' potentials for rewarding careers in scientific thought and research. Active classroom activities
and journal clubs, along with a seminar series and a program retreat reinforce the cohesive community.
Additionally, the University's committed support to the neurosciences (over 100 million dollars in just the
last five years) is unequalled at the institution. While breadth is important, each trainee has his/her own
individual development plan. Trainees work with both their mentor as well as additional trainers to further
their specific career goals. This is true for postdoctoral fellows as well, where both the PI as well as
additional trainers monitor progress. Notably, the graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are not the
only ones receiving preparation. Our trainers undergo additional instruction, to ensure they are better
mentors beyond just laboratory advisors, which ensures an optimal environment for training.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9922881
- **Project number:** 5T32DA007234-34
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** Paul G Mermelstein
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $481,623
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1991-09-30 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9922881

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9922881, Neuroscience Training in Drug Abuse Research (5T32DA007234-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9922881. Licensed CC0.

---

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