The Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Neuroscience at the University of Vermont (UVM), which was established in 2001 with funding from the National Center for Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health, was created to integrate and expand neuroscience research and training at UVM by building a collaborative intellectual infrastructure, developing cutting-edge shared core facilities, and by providing research funding for neuroscience faculty, especially junior faculty, in multiple colleges. The Neuroscience COBRE supported formation of the university-wide Neuroscience Graduate Program, expanded interdisciplinary neuroscience research, and promoted translational research by increasing the interaction between basic and clinical neuroscientists at UVM.

In July, 2011, the Neuroscience COBRE grant was renewed and is now supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (award number P30 GM 103498). The goals of the grant are to maintain the two COBRE-supported multi-user research core facilities, a Cell/Molecular Biology Core and an Imaging/Physiology Core; to provide pilot project support for neuroscience investigators; and to enhance translational neuroscience research. The goals of the Neuroscience COBRE are aligned with the goals of the University-wide designation of the Neuroscience, Behavior and Health Transdisciplinary Spire of Excellence.

The Neuroscience COBRE seeks to build upon previous success and continue to support the infrastructure of neuroscience research and training at UVM by:

Supporting the intellectual environment and research opportunities of neuroscientists at UVM.  The goals of this aim are to:

1. maintain a vigorous mentoring program to promote success of pilot project grant directors and newly recruited junior neuroscience investigators
2.  support a University-wide Neuroscience Seminar Series and Annual Retreat
3.  support Pilot Project grants
4. facilitate the growth and productivity of the university-wide Neuroscience Graduate Program
5. facilitate dialogue between basic and clinical scientists that promotes development of collaborative and translational research.

Supporting the infrastructure for neuroscience research and training at UVM by fostering the continued growth of two Neuroscience COBRE multi-user research cores.  

1. Imaging/Physiology Core
2. Cellular/Molecular Biology Core

The administration of the Center for Neuroscience Excellence is over seen by:
Director: Rodney Parsons (Department of Neurological Sciences)
Program Coordinator:  Cynthia Forehand (Department of Neurological Sciences)

Internal Advisory Committee:
Ralph Budd (Department of Medicine)
Robert Hamill (Department of Neurological Sciences)
Gary Mawe (Department of Neurological Sciences)
Mark Nelson (Department of Pharmacology)
Rae Nishi (Department of Neurological Sciences)
Judith Van Houten (Biology Department)

External Advisory Group:
John L. Bixby, Professor, Departments of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology and Neurological Surgery, University of Miami
Stephen F. Heinemann, Professor and Director of the Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory at the Salk Institute
Stephen J. Smith, Professor of Molecular and Cell Physiology, Stanford University