The Research Improvement in Minority Institutions (RIMI) program was established to provide support to strengthen the research environments and capabilities of predominantly minority institutions or institutions that have substantial minority student enrollments. Eligible institutions must also have graduate programs in science or programs in engineering. Funding is provided for faculty research in fields of science and engineering supported by the Foundation and for the acquisition of research instrumentation. Meharry Medical College will use RIMI support to establish core neurohistological and radioimmunoassay laboratories. These facilities will primarily enhance the development of research in neuroscience and physiology at Meharry. This project will promote the strengthening of a research environment that encourages effective collaborations between investigators. The principal investigator has published widely in refereed journals and has commendable experience as a university administrator. The Foundation has supported this project because opportunities for more minorities to participate in meritorious research in neuroscience and related areas will be possible.