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FAQs for Bettie J. Graham Leadership Award for Enhancing DEIA in the Genomics Workforce

The annual Bettie J. Graham Leadership Award for Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Genomics Workforce was developed to honor investigators who have had a significant influence on enhancing DEIA in the genomics workforce.

 

NOT-HG-24-003: Solicitation of Nominations for the 2023 National Human Genome Research Institute’s Bettie J. Graham Leadership Award for Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Genomics Workforce

Who is Dr. Bettie J. Graham?

Dr. Bettie Graham is one of NHGRI’s founding staff members. She was the third employee to join the then-named National Center for Human Genome Research (NCHGR) in 1989. Until her retirement became official on December 30, 2023, she served as outgoing Director of the NHGRI Division of Extramural Operations. In this role, she oversaw grants administration and scientific review. Prior to that, Dr. Graham was instrumental in the creation and nurturing of NHGRI’s suite of extramural training programs. She has promoted diversity in NHGRI- and NIH-funded programs and her legacy has spread beyond the walls of NHGRI, where she is recognized for her passion for mentoring people.

 

 

As a member of NHGRI’s leadership team, I always make the points that (1) implementation of DEIA principles is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of one’s position in the institute, and (2) diversity is an integral part of science; these are not two separate initiatives.

Bettie J. Graham, Ph.D.
Outgoing Director, NHGRI Division of Extramural Operations

 

What is meant by Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA)?

 

  • Diversity is the practice of including the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and beliefs of people, including the underserved.

  • Equity is the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including persons who belong to underserved communities.

  • Inclusion is the recognition, appreciation, and use of the talents and skills of employees of all backgrounds.

  • Accessibility is the design, construction, development, and maintenance of facilities, information and communication technology, programs, and services so that all individuals, including those with disabilities, can fully and independently use them.

Do you have to be a current NHGRI grantee to be nominated for the award?

 

Although you do not have to be a current NHGRI grantee to be nominated for this award program, you must have received funding for an NHGRI grant to be nominated. Current or previous grantees must be a named individual on an NHGRI grant, which can include the following:

  • Principal Investigator (PI), Multiple PI, or Co-Investigator (see the Grants and Funding Glossary for definitions) on an NHGRI grant
  • PI, Multiple PI or Co-Investigator on a Common Fund grant that includes NHGRI listed as a funder of the grant
  • For the Early Stage Investigator award, individuals meeting one or more of the following criteria may also be nominated:
    • A named individual on an NHGRI grant who meets the NIH definition of an Early Stage Investigator
    • A named individual on an NHGRI training grant
    • A recipient of an NHGRI Fellowship (F) award or Career Development (K) award

Do you have to be a PI to be nominated for the award?

 

No, you do not have to be a PI to be nominated for this award. However, you must fall within one of the above categories to be nominated.

What are the requirements for the nomination package?

 

The requirements for the nomination package are a single PDF file that includes:

 

  • A CV and NIH Biosketch that includes a hyperlink to the nominee’s “My Bibliography” in PubMed. If the nominee does not have a “My Bibliography” listed in PubMed, refer to these instructions to save the nominee’s citations in PubMed to a “My Bibliography.” Use the URL that PubMed automatically generates when the “My Bibliography” sharing setting is changed to public.
  • A personal statement (500 words or fewer) from the nominee.
  • Letter of nomination (1,000 words or fewer) from the nominee, a mentor or colleague familiar with the nominee’s work that addresses the nominee’s:
    • Methods, approaches and innovative ideas of enhancing DEIA in the genomics workforce.
    • Successful efforts to enhance DEIA in the genomics workforce.
  • The strongest letters will demonstrate the lasting significance and impact of the nominee’s effort of enhancing DEIA in the genomics workforce to date, as appropriate for their career level.
  • For self-nominations, one additional letter of endorsement from other mentors or colleagues is required. Letters of endorsement should address similar themes as in the previous bullet. For all other nominations, no additional letter of endorsement is necessary.

How many awards will be given each year?

 

Two awards will be given each year: one for an early-stage investigator (ESI) and one for an established investigator.

Is there a monetary award associated with the awards program?

 

No, there is not a monetary award associated with the awards program. Honorific awards of recognition will be offered to one individual/group in each of the two award categories.

Can I self-nominate?

 

Yes. Self-nominations are acceptable for the awards program; however, they must be accompanied by one letter of support from a mentor or colleague.

Do I need to contact NHGRI in advance of submitting a nomination?

 

Applicants are welcome to contact NHGRI in advance of submitting a nomination to NHGRI_DEIA@nih.gov, but it is not required.

What are the eligibility criteria for the award?

 

The eligibility criteria for the awards are as follows:

 

  • Individuals must have received NHGRI funding in one of the following areas of interest specific to NHGRI: genomic science; genomic medicine; ethical, legal and social implications of genetic and genomic research (ELSI); bioinformatics; data science; genomic technology development; and/or training programs.
  • At the time of the nomination due date, nominees for the early-stage investigator (ESI) award must meet NIH’s definition of ESI.

How do you define “significant” contribution to the genomic workforce to be nominated for the award?

 

A significant contribution to the genomic workforce can be defined as developing innovative methods, strategies and approaches to enhance DEIA in the genomics workforce; having an influence on the impact of DEIA in the field of human genomics; and/or demonstrating success in the nominee’s efforts for the career level of the nominee.

Who is not eligible to apply for the award?

 

The following are not eligible to apply for the award:

 

  • Federal employees and interns/fellows
  • Federal contractors
  • Current members of the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research.

Can foreign institutions and PIs apply for the award?

 

Foreign institutions and PIs are welcome to apply for the award providing they receive or have received NHGRI funding.

When will the awards be made?

 

For the 2023 award, decisions will be made no later than March 4, 2024.

What is the selection process and timeline for the award?

 

NHGRI will assemble a review panel composed of staff with relevant expertise. This panel will provide recommendations for the awardee in each of the two categories. The NHGRI director and senior leadership staff will review the recommendations of the panel and select a final awardee for each of the two categories.

Last updated: January 4, 2024