We remain dedicated to our long-standing view that the most critical components of the biomedical research enterprise are the scientists who comprise the workforce. Their dedication, talent, effort, and scientific curiosity continue bringing insights and helping us translate fundamental research findings into improved health. To ensure we continue achieving this goal, we develop programs and resources that aim to broaden participation of researchers from different backgrounds and life experiences, such as researchers with disabilities. With this in mind, we recently launched a new Resources for Researchers with Disabilities webpage focused on supporting these researchers and reminding the community about reasonable accommodations that may be supported through an award’s budget or supplement opportunities.
Let’s start with some workforce numbers.
- Fewer than 2.0 percent of principal investigators designated on NIH grants self-identified as having a disability in fiscal year (FY) 2022 (see this Swenor study that served as a foundation for our analysis).
- There is a similar rate among early stage investigators in FY 2023, along with having lower discussion and funding rates compared to those without a disability.
- Principal investigators with a disability were generally around 40 years of age when designated on their first R01-equivalent award, a similar age as those who do not identify as having a disability.
- Around 2.0 percent of NIH peer reviewers who participated in one of the Center for Scientific Review’s convened study sections self-reported a disability in 2023.
Our new webpage provides information and resources for researchers with disabilities supported on NIH extramural grants. On the new site, visitors can learn more about:
- NIH funding opportunities, policies, and grant requirements
- NIH statements and reports (including this recent NIH All About Grants podcast)
- Reporting a concern (such as related to potential harassment)
- Supporting accessibility for researchers with disabilities
The site also reminds the community about available research supplements (see this 2019 post). We encourage principal investigators and their organizations to carefully review the supplement to learn about what reasonable accommodations may be allowed and when other researchers with disabilities may be brought onto an award. If there are questions, please contact the program officer designated on the award.
We hope this new webpage and reminder about supplements will continue our long-standing efforts to strengthen the NIH supported research workforce.
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