Data on Researchers’ Self-Reported Disability Status

December 13, 2022

Ensuring a strong and diverse workforce is a top priority for NIH. To this end, we regularly assess the sex/gender, race, and ethnicity of NIH-supported researchers to better understand the composition of our workforce and participation in our programs. Investigators may self-report their disability status along with these other demographic characteristics on their eRA personal profile. This allows us to learn more about researchers with disabilities in the NIH-supported scientific workforce.

Introducing Ericka Boone, the New Director of the Biomedical Research Workforce Division

June 30, 2022

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ericka Boone as the new director of the Division of Biomedical Research Workforce (DBRW) in the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER), and I am thrilled she agreed to take on this role, given her background, interest, passions, and work ethic. Read on to learn more about Ericka.

Inequalities in the Distribution of National Institutes of Health Research Project Grant Funding

January 18, 2022

This past September, my colleague and I published a paper in the journal eLife on inequalities in the support of scientists designated as Principal Investigators (PIs) of NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) awards. We found that funding inequality among PIs has increased over the past 25 years, but may have decreased modestly in more recent years. We also found greater levels of inequality across organizations.

Two Upcoming Events on Using Cohort Models to Enhance Diversity

November 16, 2021

The NIH Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity (COSWD) Office is hosting a seminar and virtual forum on faculty cohort recruitment programs and other evidence-based strategies as tools to foster diversity. The first event will be on December 8, while the second will be in February 2022. Both events are open to NIH staff and the public.

Reaffirming NIH’s Commitment to Workforce Diversity

November 3, 2021

Diversity is inextricably tied to the success of the NIH mission, thus ensuring diversity within the extramural biomedical research workforce is of utmost importance. We are aware that NIH’s recent decision to rescind a “Notice of Special Interest” (or NOSI) – intended solely to call attention to the presence of a specific funding opportunity announcement and encourage researchers from underrepresented groups to apply – may have caused some to question this commitment. While the spirit of the NOSI was laudable, it may have led to an impression that by linking demographic characteristics to grant proposals, applications supporting scientists from underrepresented groups would be automatically prioritized for funding. Read on for more.

Reminder: NIH Encourages Applications Supporting Individuals From Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as Well as Individuals With Disabilities

October 28, 2021

In this notice, NIH reaffirms its commitment to supporting a sustainable and diverse biomedical research workforce. Diversity within the NIH-supported scientific workforce fosters innovation, enhances global competitiveness, improves the quality of research and research outcomes.