SEEDS (SEx differences EDucation in Substance Use Disorders)

About This Grant

ABSTRACT There is a pressing need for innovative and translational science to address the intersection of substance use disorders (SUDs) and sex. The SEx Differences EDucation in SUDs (SEEDS) program will address this need by providing early-stage investigators (ESIs) with the training and expertise needed to incorporate consideration of substance use and sex differences as essential elements of their research via a mix of formal didactic modules, “hands-on” experiential learning opportunities, and networking facilitation. The overarching goal of SEEDS is to increase the pool of investigators incorporating substance use and sex-related outcomes in their research. SEEDS will leverage the unique array of research infrastructure, program partnerships, and deep bench of talented, experienced research mentors that exists at MUSC and across the nation to achieve this goal by delivering state of the science mentorship, training, and career development programming to ESIs and to ensure a well-trained workforce is equipped to address issues critical to women’s and men’s health and substance use. Specifically, SEEDS consists of: (1) comprehensive and intensive mentored pilot project research experiences to enable promising ESIs to become impactful independent investigators incorporating substance use outcomes and consideration of sex in research designs and analyses; (2) access to didactic material in (a) research methodology (i.e., responsible conduct of research, experimental design, and research methods including statistical analysis); (b) grantsmanship; and (c) track-specific research foci on the intersection of sex differences and SUDs; (3) ongoing access to technical consultation to facilitate pilot project completion and career development (e.g., biostatistical consultation, research ethics, human subjects protection); (4) additional opportunities, including travel, to extend dissemination efforts and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.