NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (BP BRAIN-ENDURE) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Blueprint and Brain Initiative, together with the BRAIN Initiative Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (BP BRAIN-ENDURE), has launched a Research Education Program (R25). The objective of this program is to cultivate diversity within the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research fields by attracting individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly those that are currently underrepresented.

The NIH Blueprint R25 program aims to inspire more participation in research and subsequent studies by supporting educational activities. These activities primarily focus on developing skills, providing research opportunities, and establishing mentorship programs. The ultimate aim is to equip undergraduate students with the necessary skills and experience to pursue Ph.D. programs in the neurosciences, especially those students who come from backgrounds that are typically underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.

To fulfill this aim, the initiative will grant institutional awards for the development of neuroscience education programs. These programs will be created through collaborative partnerships formed between different institutions. Each partnership must include an institution that has a history of educating underrepresented students or has successfully increased the participation of underrepresented students in biomedical research; this is as defined by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Underrepresented groups include African Americans or Blacks, Hispanic or Latino Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, U.S. Pacific Islanders, and persons with disabilities. The institutional partnership must also incorporate a research-intensive institution with an established neuroscience or related program. All programs should be integrated across the different educational institutions involved in the partnership.