Minnesota Inclusive Neuroscience Development Scholars (MINDS) doctoral readiness program

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Minnesota Inclusive Neuroscience Development Scholars (MINDS) doctoral readiness program will provide two years of research experience and courses for skills development to recent baccalaureates from diverse backgrounds. This doctoral readiness program will build upon the success of our MINDS pilot program, as well as the University of Minnesota’s strength in research on the neuroscience of drug abuse. The MINDS doctoral readiness program will be affiliated with our longstanding NIDA T32 training program (DA007234), and provide participants with access to resources available through our NIDA P30 Core Center of Excellence (DA048742). Participants will be matched with one of our 22 participating faculty mentors, and conduct an independent research project that provides opportunities for technical as well as intellectual growth. The program faculty include basic researchers, technology engineers, and translational scientists to provide an exceptional breadth of scientific scope and training capacity. The scientific environment is highly cooperative, with robust extramural research support that benefits from multiple active collaborations. Strong laboratory research experience will be complemented and scaffolded by a variety of career and professional development activities, including a regular meeting of the entire MINDS program held every two weeks. These meetings and discussions will provide opportunities for skill development in communication of science, preparation for graduate program entrance, and success in navigating graduate school. Participants will enroll in a small number of graduate courses that provide strong background in neuroscience principles of drug abuse, rigorous experimental design, and the responsible conduct of research. Rigorous and effective training is supported through tailoring individual developmental plans, a highly comprehensive program for mentoring the mentors, and thorough evaluation of training outcomes. This proposal includes funds to support four new postbaccalaureate participants each year. Robust institutional matching funds will support an additional two new participants each year, with the remaining matching funds providing resources for relocation expenses, an annual symposium, and additional program expenditures. By providing training essential to the next generation of drug addiction researchers, this R25 program facilitates progress in the understanding the neuroscience of drug abuse.