East Tennessee State University has recently secured a transformative five-year federal grant to launch the Summer Undergraduate Addiction Research Training Program in Central Appalachia, a high-stakes initiative designed to recruit and train the next generation of scientists to combat the region’s opioid crisis.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded R25 summer mentoring and teaching award for $641,590 represents a massive expansion of the ETSU Mentored Substance Use Research (EMSUR) program, which originally launched in 2021 as a smaller pilot for graduate students.
Now shifting its focus toward undergraduate education, the program offers a 12-week immersive research experience that provides students with substantial financial and academic support to address the heavy burden of substance use and mortality across the Appalachian region, with the goal of increasing the addiction science workforce in the area.
The program is led by a multidisciplinary team including Program Director Dr. Manik Ahuja (College of Public Health) and Co-Directors Dr. Angela Hagaman (College of Public Health) and Dr. Brooke Schmeichel (College of Medicine). From May 18 to Aug. 7, 2026, ten students will engage in rigorous, hands-on research in one of two specialized tracks: population health or basic science.
This expansion from an initial five-student pilot program to a comprehensive 10-student cohort underscores the university’s commitment to fostering a broad addiction research environment aimed at addressing regional substance use challenges. Beyond the prestigious nature of the award, the grant provides a $4,500 stipend, on-campus housing at ETSU, and up to $1,400 for research-related expenses for each student.
“The goal of the program is to enhance ongoing research productivity within participating ETSU laboratories while simultaneously increasing the number of trained professionals dedicated to solving addiction-related issues,” says Dr. Manik Ahuja.
In addition to research, participants will engage in weekly faculty-led sessions covering core concepts such as the epidemiology and neurobiology of substance use disorders. They will also explore regionally-specific challenges like rural recovery systems and the personal impact of addiction through lived-experience dialogues.
“There is a remarkable breadth of addiction research taking place across our campus. It’s inspiring to see so many professionals working toward the shared goal of improving the health of our region and supporting individuals in their recovery from substance use disorders,” says Dr. Brooke Schmeichel.
By providing these students with technical skills and a clearer vision for graduate or professional training pathways, such as medical or public health programs, ETSU is actively working to bridge the gap between academic theory and the practical needs of rural health. The inclusion of topics like “Substance Use, Addiction & Rural Health” ensures that the research remains grounded in the specific needs of the Central Appalachian community.
Competition for the 10 available slots is expected to be intense, with recruitment efforts targeting students from ETSU, the University of Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and other partner institutions throughout the region. The goal of the program is to enhance ongoing research productivity within participating ETSU laboratories while simultaneously increasing the number of trained professionals dedicated to solving addiction-related issues.
Applications for the summer 2026 session are due by March 20, with acceptance decisions slated for announcement by April 15. Students can apply directly at http://www.emsur.org as university officials are encouraging early applications for what is being described as a premier opportunity to impact the future of Appalachian health and scientific innovation.
Students interested in the program are encouraged to contact the program directors with questions and begin the application process before the mid-March deadline.
