# Increasing URM Diversity: Targeting Transitions in the Neuroscience Education Continuum

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2020 · $237,031

## Abstract

Abstract
Our goal is to meet the nation's research needs by enhancing diversity in the neuroscience workforce. The
focus will be to increase the representation of under-represented minorities (URMs) and achieve this by
targeting specific challenges in transitions along the Neuroscience education and career continuum. Our four
aims propose activities that focus on the four transition points relevant to our University of Michigan (UM)
Neuroscience Graduate Program (NGP). Aim 1 focuses on transition from Undergraduate Institutions (UGI) to
a Graduate Institution. It will build relationships with UGIs with high numbers of URMs through visits by UM
NGP faculty and students to these UGI and visits to UM by UGI Program Directors with selected students. UM
NGP faculty and students will attend SACNAS and ABRCMs meetings to provide information on NGPs in
general and the UM-NGP in particular. There will also be a “Preview Program” with visits to UM-NGP by URM
students. A key component of Aim 1 will be a Summer Program for Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience,
for rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors with research in NGP faculty labs, professional development
workshops as well as mentoring and networking. Aim 2 focuses on the transition into Graduate School. It will
have peer mentoring workshops on topics such as communicating with mentors and imposter syndrome and
workshops on time management, study skills, critical thinking, scientific writing and communication. Aim 2 will
also have activities and courses on Mentorship directed to the NGP Faculty. Finally there will be workshops for
NGP faculty, fellows and students on diverse cultures and their needs. Aim 3 focuses on the transition through
Graduate Studies towards Ph.D.. Aim 3 will bring in speakers/mentors with diverse backgrounds from outside
UM for research presentations, mentoring and networking. It will also send URM students to small focused
research meetings (such as Gordon Conferences). It will send students and faculty to SACNAS and ABRCMs
meetings (overlap with Aim 1) and have professional development courses/activities, workshops on rigor and
ethics, mentor-student relationship as well as workshops on scientific communication. Aim 4 focuses on the
transition to post-doctoral studies and/or neuroscience related careers. Activities will include: workshops and
speakers representing a wide range of traditional and non-academic career opportunities; Alumni Days which
focus on interactions with UM-NGP alumni; Opportunities for internships in neuroscience related companies;
Certificate Programs such as in teaching; and sending students to small meetings (overlap with Aim 3). The
proposed programs have all been successfully piloted by the UM NGP and have resulted in a 40% rate of
diversity in our 2016 class of 18 students, increasing to 58% in our incoming 2017 class of 14 students. We
believe our success in pilot programs and the proposed Aim 1-4 activities can make us a model program for
addres...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9963416
- **Project number:** 5R25NS107159-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** AUDREY F. SEASHOLTZ
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $237,031
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9963416

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9963416, Increasing URM Diversity: Targeting Transitions in the Neuroscience Education Continuum (5R25NS107159-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9963416. Licensed CC0.

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