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Note: As of November 22, 2024, this webpage replaces previous PDF versions of the guidance on this site.

Introduction

The Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (or "Diversity Supplements") program was established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve the diversity of the research workforce by recruiting and supporting students, post-doctorates, and eligible investigators from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related research. This supplement opportunity is also available to PD(s)/PI(s) of research grants who are or become disabled and need additional support to accommodate their disability in order to continue to work on the research project.

This guidance clarifies the application process and requirements for NHGRI grantees, including NHGRI- specific limitations and recommendations. It is not intended to replace the detailed information in the program announcement. 

The full program announcement is available at NIH Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (PA-23-189) or for Small Business awards, at Administrative Supplements to Promote Diversity in Research and Development Small Businesses-SBIR/STTR (PA-21-345). Please also refer to the updated Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031).

NHGRI-Specific Guidance

In addition to the information found in the program announcement, NHGRI provides the following additional guidance for Principal Investigators or Candidates/Trainees interested in applying for a Diversity Supplement award. 

Principal Investigators (PIs) or Candidates/Trainees are encouraged to contact Robert Rivers, Ph.D. (robert.rivers@nih.gov; parent Diversity Supplement PA) or Ian Nova, Ph.D. (nhgri_smallbusiness@NIH.gov; Small Business PA) prior to submission of an application to discuss important eligibility and timeline considerations, and the guidance provided below:
 

  1. The PI of an eligible grant award (referred to as the "parent grant") is the applicant who submits the diversity supplement application to NIH/NHGRI on behalf of a candidate/trainee who will be supported by the award. Note: The candidate/trainee who will be supported by the diversity supplement must have an NIH eRA Commons account.
     
  2. Candidates cannot be supported during a no-cost extension (NCE). There should be at least one year left on the award to provide meaningful research experience. 
     
  3. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If an applicant is seeking an award before the end of a fiscal year (September 30), applications must be received no later than May 15 in order to allow NHGRI adequate time for review and processing.
     
  4. The budget period for the supplement will sync with the budget period of the parent grant during the first 12 months. For example, if the parent grant budget period ends on June 30 of each year, and the supplement is awarded starting March 1, then the first budget period of the supplement will be only 4 months, March 1 – June 30 of the same year, and the second budget period will be a full 12 months, July 1 – June 30 (of the next year)
     
  5. A candidate cannot not be or have previously been supported by the parent grant at the time the application is submitted to NHGRI. The program is not intended to provide an alternative or additional means of supporting individuals who receive support from an NIH grant.
     
  6. Awards that are multi-year funded (MYF) are not eligible to receive diversity supplements.
     
  7. If there is significant unobligated balance on a parent award, supplement applications for additional funds are not encouraged. Please check with the Program Officer of the parent award before considering a submission.
     
  8. A parent grant may support more than one individual on a diversity supplement; however, only one individual may be supported on a re-entry/re-integration supplement.
     
  9. An applicant may submit requests for multiple diversity supplement candidates during any FY. However, separate applications must be submitted for each proposed candidate (even if the candidates will be supported under the same program, e.g., a summer program).
     
  10. Applicant may request an additional $1500 per year for the candidate to specifically attend the NHGRI Research Training and Career Development Annual Meeting which is held each Spring.
     
  11. References/letters of support are optional but may be included in the supplement application.
     
  12. Transcripts are required for high school, undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, post-master's, or graduate students.
     
  13. Applications must include: 1) a plan for the candidate to interact with other individuals on the parent grant, to contribute intellectually to the research, and to enhance her/his research skills and knowledge regarding the selected area of genomics research, 2) evidence of a focus on the enhancement of the research capability of the individual and that the research experience is intended to provide opportunities for development as a productive independent genomics researcher and 3) it must demonstrate that the PI(s) is willing and able to provide appropriate mentorship.

Application Content Guidance

Research Strategy

Research Plan, Career Development and Mentoring Plan (Section IV)

The following elements must be included with in the Research Strategy Section which consists of the Research Plan, Career Development Plan and Mentoring Plan.

Research Plan

  • The Research Plan should address specific aims, the research proposal, preliminary data, specific skills, responsibilities, and activities that demonstrate the candidate’s increasing independence as a researcher, and any need for additional training that will result in an independent genomics research career. There should be a clear statement about the level of genomics-specific training and research experience the candidate/trainee will gain during the supplement award period.
     
  • For all candidates, applicants should provide information on how the mentored research experience will contribute to the competitiveness of the candidate to transition into the next level in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical, or social sciences research pathway. It is expected that candidates at the postdoctoral or investigator level provide evidence that research proposed during the funding period will enhance overall research skills and lead directly to careers as independent genomics investigators.
     
  • A brief summary of the parent grant (typically the abstract or a summary paragraph).
     
  • Scope of the research planned for the Candidate.
     
  • The plan must address how the supplement's research is related to the parent grant goals or how it is a logical extension of that research, depending on the level of the supplement. Include a brief statement of assurance that the research delineated in the supplement is not an expansion (change in scope) requiring peer review (see the NIH Grants Policy Statement).
     
  • A timetable for the proposed research experience, outlining the candidate’s major research and development activities, must be provided.

Career Development/Mentorship Plan

An appropriate career development/mentorship plan for the candidate must be included in the application. The expectation is that the PI will prepare a detailed career development/mentorship plan that will include objectives and associated timelines for helping the candidate make the transition to the next stage of his/her research career. Components of the career development should include:
 

  • Details of mentor-candidate interactions. The plan should go well beyond simple laboratory assignments and supervision plans or stating that the candidate will attend seminars or lab meetings. The career development plan should be structured, specific and stage-appropriate for the candidate and include parameters such as the frequency of meetings, topics to be discussed, and how progress will be monitored. 
     
  • The PI must describe how he/she will assist the candidate in achieving the objectives and goals they have described in their Candidate Eligibility Statement. 
     
  • A timeline for the research and career development activities is required for investigators, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, post baccalaureate students and undergraduates. 
     
  • The plan should take into account the typical barriers and impediments encountered by all trainees, and may also address the unique challenges in gaining entry and progressing in the biomedical workforce that may be encountered by individuals from underrepresented groups, including but not limited to individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Mentoring Experience of PI

  • All applicants should describe their experience and track record as a mentor. 
     
  • The PI should provide evidence of mentoring experience and success, e.g. a list of past trainees and their current positions. If the PI is a junior faculty member, it may be appropriate to include an experienced co-mentor in the Career Development/Mentorship plan. 
     
  • The role of other investigators who will contribute to the research mentoring must be included with the application.

Senior/Key Personnel

  • List the PD/PI as the first person (regardless of their role on the supplement activities). 
     
  • List the candidate proposed to be added through this supplement. 
     
  • Candidates for supplement support must have an eRA Commons account and the candidate's Commons Username must be entered in the Credential field.
     
  • A Biographical Sketch for the PI and candidate must be included. The personal statement of the candidate's biographical sketch should address: 
     
    • Research objectives and career goals 
       
    • Research experience 
       
    • Length of and reason for any career hiatus 
       
    • A description of how the candidate has kept current or attempted to keep current in her/his field

Budget

Follow guidance in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, noting additional restrictions in the NHGRI-specific guidance section above. 

Additionally, applicant may request $1500 per year for the candidate to specifically attend the NHGRI Research Training and Career Development Annual Meeting which is held each Spring. All trainees supported by diversity supplement awards are encouraged to attend this annual meeting.

Candidate Eligibility

The application should describe how the appointment of this specific candidate would further the goals of the program. It is suggested that this information be included throughout the application, including in the candidate eligibility letter. Examples of factors that could be included are the proposed candidate’s area of scientific interest, academic institutions attended, or if the candidate overcame any particular challenges or has led or otherwise participated in any extracurricular program of relevance (e.g., helped lead a student-run organization) which would help to further diverse perspectives within the research program. Note that NIH does not base eligibility on a candidate's race, ethnicity, age, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender status).

Review and Award of Applications

Supplement applications are reviewed internally at NHGRI. Funding decisions are generally based on:

  • The qualifications of the candidate including career goals, prior research training, research potential, and any relevant experience.
     
  • Evidence of educational achievement and interest in science (if the candidate is a student).
     
  • The strength of the description of how this appointment would further the goals of this funding opportunity, consistent with the Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031).
     
  • The plan and timeline for the proposed research and career development experiences in the supplemental request and their relationship to the parent grant.
     
  • Evidence that the proposed experience will expand and foster the research capabilities, knowledge, and/or skills of the candidate.
  • Evidence that the activities of the candidate will be an integral part of the project.
     
  • Evidence of adequate mentoring experience and success.
     
  • Evidence that the candidate will receive high quality research career mentoring. 
     
  • The availability of funds

Last updated: November 16, 2024