NeuroASCENT- Advancing Science through Career Enhancement and Neuroscience Training

The NeuroASCENT- Advancing Science through Career Enhancement and Neuroscience Training program will support neuroscience‑focused PhD students across multiple graduate programs by providing comprehensive scientific, professional, and research‑development training during their doctoral education. Strengthening the national neuroscience workforce requires ensuring that trainees have access to high‑quality research preparation, strong mentoring, and structured opportunities that enhance their scientific growth and career readiness. Recent analyses of U.S. doctoral recipients indicate that many talented trainees encounter barriers that limit full participation in research careers, underscoring the need for intentional support mechanisms that promote successful advancement. Over the last five years, CU Anschutz PhD programs have seen a substantial increase in students entering from a broad range of academic backgrounds. NeuroASCENT is designed to help these trainees progress efficiently by 1) promoting research excellence, 2) fostering leadership skills, 3) facilitating career development, and 4) providing individualized guidance. To achieve these goals, the program will provide career‑focused workshops, structured research externship opportunities, enhanced mentoring frameworks, and coordinated access to campus resources that extend beyond those offered by individual graduate programs. In partnership with the Office of Research Education, NeuroASCENT will complement and enhance the scientific training provided across biomedical PhD programs while offering added value to the broader CU Anschutz graduate community. Program Directors Dr. Quillinan and Dr. Hughes will oversee training activities, mentor matching, evaluation, program operations, and dissemination. An Institutional Advisory Board composed of research leaders will guide program oversight, and an External Advisory Board of graduate‑education experts will provide additional evaluation and strategic input. NeuroASCENT scholars will also serve on an Executive Advisory Board to develop leadership experience and contribute directly to program refinement. Trainees will typically enter the program after their second year of graduate training and will participate in activities focused on building a supportive peer/mentor network, strengthening scientific confidence and competence, and preparing for careers in academia, government, industry, or non‑profit research organizations. Project Number: 1R25NS138037-01A1 | Fiscal Year: 2026 | NIH Institute/Center: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) | Principal Investigator: Nidia Calero (+1 co-PI) | Institution: UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER, Aurora, CO | Award Amount: $269,998 | Activity Code: R25 | Study Section: Special Emphasis Panel[ZRG1 NV-J (55)] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11198827