# Cognitive and Neurobiological Approaches to Plasticity (C-NAP) Center

> **NIH NIH P20** · KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $2,077,525

## Abstract

OVERALL PROJECT SUMMARY
This COBRE application will form a unique, thematic research center on Cognitive and Neurobiological
Approaches to Plasticity (C-NAP). Four primary research projects bridge areas of excellence in the Cognitive
and Behavioral Neuroscience programs at Kansas State University (KSU) and the Human Factors program at
Wichita State University (WSU). The projects examine cognitive/neural plasticity across the lifespan, utilizing
basic and translational/applied approaches in humans and animal models. The ultimate goal is to determine
the mechanisms involved in cognitive and neural plasticity to improve functioning. This goal is highly
relevant to the NIH core mission “to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems
and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.” Three
research core facilities will support the research projects and programs, a Behavioral Neuroscience Core
(KSU), a Neuroinformatics Core (KSU), and a Driving Simulator Core (WSU), supplying unique research
infrastructure resources within the State of Kansas. The success and growth of C-NAP will be enabled through:
(1) a faculty mentoring program that will provide high-quality research mentoring by nationally-recognized
researchers. The mentoring team will support all aspects of research program and grant application development
to promote success in securing R01-level funding by each of the project leaders; (2) new faculty recruitment
at KSU and WSU to ensure growth and longevity of C-NAP and vibrant usage of the core facilities; (3) a pilot
grant program that will stimulate center growth by funding projects at universities in the region; (4) a post-
doctoral training program that will provide multi-disciplinary training along cross-cutting themes that bridge
core facilities and projects, coupled with creating pathways to independence; (5) a scientific exchange network
(SEN) that will provide training opportunities and access to additional core facilities with the goal of promoting
the research productivity and success of the COBRE core projects, pilot projects, post-doctoral and graduate
student trainees, and associated C-NAP faculty. Initial partners include the Hoglund Brain Imaging and K-INBRE
centers at the University of Kansas Medical School, COBRE centers at North Dakota State University and the
University of Nevada-Reno, the small-animal imaging core at KSU, and the Envision Research Institute in
Wichita. The SEN will grow and expand to other nearby universities and research centers (e.g., University of
Kansas-Lawrence, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Nebraska-
Lincoln, the University of Oklahoma, and the Traumatic Brain Injury Unit at Ft. Riley) providing rich opportunities
for promoting the growth of research programs. The C-NAP center will host mini-conferences in Years 3 and 5
that will include participants from C-NAP ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9947934
- **Project number:** 5P20GM113109-04
- **Recipient organization:** KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Kimberly Kirkpatrick
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,077,525
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-15 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9947934

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9947934, Cognitive and Neurobiological Approaches to Plasticity (C-NAP) Center (5P20GM113109-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9947934. Licensed CC0.

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