diff --git a/gpax/utils.py b/gpax/utils.py
index d94b742..f031508 100644
--- a/gpax/utils.py
+++ b/gpax/utils.py
@@ -165,3 +165,12 @@ def preprocess_sparse_image(sparse_image):
     # Generate indices for the entire image
     full_indices = onp.array(onp.meshgrid(*[onp.arange(dim) for dim in sparse_image.shape])).T.reshape(-1, sparse_image.ndim)
     return gp_input, targets, full_indices
+
+
+def normal_prior(param_name, loc=0, scale=1):
+    """
+    Samples a value from a normal distribution with the specified mean (loc) and standard deviation (scale),
+    and assigns it to a named random variable in the probabilistic model. Can be useful for defining prior mean functions
+    in structured Gaussian processes.
+    """
+    return numpyro.sample(param_name, numpyro.distributions.Normal(loc, scale))
diff --git a/tests/test_utils.py b/tests/test_utils.py
index 306a582..8609bc9 100644
--- a/tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -2,11 +2,12 @@
 import numpy as onp
 import jax.numpy as jnp
 import jax.random as jra
+import numpyro
 from numpy.testing import assert_equal, assert_, assert_array_equal
 
 sys.path.insert(0, "../gpax/")
 
-from gpax.utils import preprocess_sparse_image, split_dict, random_sample_dict, get_keys
+from gpax.utils import preprocess_sparse_image, split_dict, random_sample_dict, get_keys, normal_prior
 
 
 def test_sparse_img_processing():
@@ -104,3 +105,19 @@ def test_get_keys_different_seeds():
     key1a, key2a = get_keys(42)
     assert_(not onp.array_equal(key1, key1a))
     assert_(not onp.array_equal(key2, key2a))
+
+
+def test_normal_prior():
+    with numpyro.handlers.seed(rng_seed=1):
+        sample = normal_prior("a")
+    assert_(isinstance(sample, jnp.ndarray))
+
+
+def test_normal_prior_params():
+    with numpyro.handlers.seed(rng_seed=1):
+        with numpyro.handlers.trace() as tr:
+            normal_prior("a", loc=0.5, scale=0.1)
+    site = tr["a"]
+    assert_(isinstance(site['fn'], numpyro.distributions.Normal))
+    assert_equal(site['fn'].loc, 0.5)
+    assert_equal(site['fn'].scale, 0.1)