The NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research is strongly committed to and focused on creating a diverse and inclusive neuroscience workforce, including a strong foundation in experimental design, statistics, and quantitative theory. Explore Blueprint’s training programs below.
Current Training Programs
Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Education Experiences (ENDURE)
The Blueprint Initiative "Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (ENDURE)" aims to raise interest and opportunities in neuroscience research for individuals who are typically underrepresented in the field. The goal is to provide such individuals with training at the undergraduate level, so that they are prepared to enter and successfully complete neuroscience Ph.D. programs.
For more information: ENDURE Undergraduate Education
NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award
The purpose of the NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award is to support a defined pathway across career stages for outstanding graduate students who are from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that are underrepresented in neuroscience research.
For more information: NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative D-SPAN Award (F99/K00)
Computational Training in Neuroscience and Behavior
The primary goal of this training opportunity is to expose undergraduate and graduate students to a wide range of neuroscience and behavioral questions, quantitative methods, and experimental systems to ensure a strong dual foundation in clinical and quantitative science. This foundation is expected to give trainees the ability to adopt new computational theory and methodology and apply these methods to relevant questions in health and disease.
- RFA-DA-23-037: NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research: Computational Training in Neuroscience and Behavior (T90/R90 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Jointly Sponsored Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences
The Jointly Sponsored Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences (JSPTPN) supports broad and fundamental research training in the neurosciences. The purpose of the JSPTPN is to provide strong, broad-based neuroscience training that will develop a cohort of well-trained researchers at a time when the field is advancing at a rapid pace.
For more information: Jointly Sponsored Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences (JSPTPN)
Past Training Programs
Training in Computational Neuroscience
The primary goal of this training opportunity is to support integrated research education and research training programs that provide interdisciplinary training in experimental neuroscience and the theoretical and technological approaches of computational neuroscience at the undergraduate and predoctoral level.
- RFA-DA-16-009: NIH Blueprint Training in Computational Neuroscience: From Biology to Model and Back Again (T90/R90)
For more information: Training in Computational Neuroscience
Training in Neuroimaging
The goal of this training opportunity is to support the development of training programs that integrate comprehensive training in basic neuroscience, the physical and biological bases of neuroimaging, the technologies of in vivo neuroimaging, and the application of these technologies to understanding questions in neuroscience across the life span.
RFA-DA-06-011 (reissued as RFA-DA-11-006): Training in Neuroimaging: Integrating First Principles and Applications (T90/R90)
K-12 Education
The goal of these training opportunities is to support researchers and small businesses that help to improve neuroscience education in one or more grades from kindergarten through 12th grade, including projects aimed at teachers, students, or both.
- RFA-DA-11-013: Blueprint for Neuroscience Research Science Education Award (R25)
- PAR-10-154: Innovative Neuroscience K-12 Education (SBIR [R43/R44])
- NOT-DA-10-007: Notice of Availability of Administrative Supplements for R25 Science Education Grants
NIH Blueprint Institute/Center/Office Training Websites
Please visit the Funding Opportunities webpage for a searchable list of all current and past Blueprint notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) and notices.