Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Biological Infrastructure awarded $465,237 to the University of Missouri System under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) effective September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site award supports the delivery of intensive summer research training in interdisciplinary neuroscience with computational and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The program will train 30 undergraduate students across three summer cohorts (2027–2029), with 10 students participating annually in 10-week immersive research experiences. Students will receive instruction from an interdisciplinary faculty team of 20 neuroscience researchers and participate in a preparatory boot camp focusing on computational and AI tools in biosciences, technical writing, and the research process. Research projects span molecular, cellular, network, systems, cognitive, and behavioral levels of neuroscience analysis, including neural plasticity, biophysical modeling, associative learning, neural architecture, and social cognition.

Program services include structured professional development workshops designed to prepare participants for advancement in STEM careers and graduate training, with many students presenting research findings at scientific conferences. Recruitment targets undergraduate students from institutions with limited research access, prioritizing diversity in participation. The award aligns with NSF priorities in AI and biotechnology advancement while supporting the agency's broader mission to strengthen the nation's scientific enterprise through workforce development and basic scientific research.