NIH Diversity Supplements
The NIH offers Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (PA-21-071) that are specifically designed to provide support for research experiences for individuals from diverse backgrounds throughout the continuum from high school to the faculty level. These administrative supplements have been an important mechanism for providing resources for underrepresented minority investigators and trainees on the pathway to independence.
The supplements are not meant to provide bridge funding for investigators who have already received career development (e.g., K-) or independent research funding (R-series) grants from the NIH. Rather, the mechanism is intended to support investigators without prior support from the NIH.
NIH diversity supplement deadlines vary depending on funding institute.
Participants
NIH encourages institutions to diversify their student and faculty populations to enhance the participation of individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences, such as:
- Individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis
- Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Literature shows that women from the above backgrounds face particular challenges at the graduate level and beyond in scientific fields
Resources
For Trainees
Where to Begin
Confirm that you are eligible to receive funding as a trainee on a diversity supplement. The NIH offers guidance in the program announcement as well as in their statement on interest in diversity. Some NIH agencies also offer supplements for re-entry into biomedical and behavioral research careers (see PA-18-592).
Once you submit the interest form, we will follow up with you to discuss a potential NUCATS diversity supplement.
Get Additional Guidance
- Find examples of funded supplements in the NUCATS Grants Repository
- This application checklist is designed to aid in submitting these applications (this is meant to be used as a starting point; be sure to reference the institute-specific guidelines and procedures when developing your proposal)
- View the informational lecture by Brian Mustanski, PhD, director of the Institute for Sexual & Gender Minority Health
RAMP for Supplement Awardees
The Research Design Analysis Methods Program (RAMP) is a NUCATS program that pairs K scholars with a mentor who has relevant methodologic expertise for individualized training and collaboration. RAMP mentors receive protected effort for collaboration and mentoring; this effort may be included in the R&D budget of early career investigator diversity supplement applications.
Junior faculty applying for a diversity supplement who are interested in a RAMP mentor may contact Laura Rasmussen-Torvik, RAMP program director, for a one-on-one consultation prior to including in the application.
For Mentors
Confirm that your grant meets your NIH institute's diversity supplement funding guidelines. Most stipulate that a grant have at least two years of funding left. Learn more about specific information related to requirements and deadlines.
If you have identified a trainee for potential funding, reach out to your program officer, as well as the program contact listed on your institute's diversity supplement page prior to submitting an application. The program contacts can provide information about funding priorities related to career stage, information about deadlines and specific points to cover in the application.
