Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Faculty Diversity in Biomedical Research (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Funding Agency:
- National Institutes of Health
There is abundant evidence that the biomedical and educational enterprise will directly benefit from broader participation. Recent studies have supported the argument that diversity enhances the quality of education in multiple settings. Surveys also suggest that a diverse faculty attracts students from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, and positively impacts the retention and career mentoring experiences of all students. Moreover, a diverse faculty can significantly contribute to a balanced research agenda. Thus, a diverse research and teaching workforce provides a valuable and more comprehensive educational experience for all.
Promoting the participation of faculty from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented groups, is one means of preparing the pool of emerging NIH-funded scientific talent for an increasingly diverse society and workforce. In 2021, only 5.3 percent of science and engineering (S&E) graduate students were Black or African American, and 8.7 percent were Hispanic or Latino (see https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf23315/data-tables). In 2021, only 5.9 percent of S&E and health doctorate holders employed by universities and 4-year colleges were African American, and approximately 9 percent were Hispanic (see https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf19304/data).
In 2020, the United States Census Bureau reported that nearly 13 percent of the United States population had a disability. The NSF reported in 2019 that 8.89 percent of all graduates awarded doctoral degrees in the biological and biomedical sciences reported having one or more disabilities. The report also found that a smaller share of scientists with disabilities received research assistantships, traineeships, or internships or had fellowships, scholarships, or grants than did those without disabilities (see https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf23315/data-tables).
Protected time for intensive, supervised career development experiences is critical to encourage students to pursue biomedical careers, including individuals from groups underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce.
NHLBI's Research Agenda and Focus
NHLBI encourages research training and career development crossing disciplinary boundaries (e.g., biophysics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, bioengineering, systems science, and big data science) to develop a new interdisciplinary work force. Also of interest to NHLBI are training and career development efforts that focus on implementation research which recognize the numerous knowledge and practice gaps that impede evidence-based interventions from producing optimal health outcomes.
The research proposed must be directly responsive to the mission of the NHLBI. The NHLBI does not support projects primarily focused on malignancy-related research. Studies that address a mechanistic correlation between cancer (i.e., lung cancer) and primary pulmonary diseases may be considered within the mission of the NHLBI. Applications on vaccine development will be considered nonresponsive for this NOFO. Applications on respiratory pathogens will be considered within NHLBI's intent for this NOFO if studies focus on the host immune response. Other potential overlapping areas of interest shared by the NHLBI and other Institutes/Centers of the NIH include myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic disorders, hematological malignancies resulting from disruptions in hematopoiesis, and the use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and other cellular therapies. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the NHLBI before submitting an application to determine the NHLBI programmatic appropriateness for this NOFO and the mission of the NHLBI.
NOTE: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is designed specifically to support research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. Under this NOFO candidates are permitted to propose a research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor. Those proposing a clinical trial or an ancillary clinical trial as lead investigator, should work with their institutions to apply to the companion NOFO (RFA-HL-25-008)
Award budgets are composed of salary and other program-related expenses. NIH will contribute up to $100,000 plus fringe benefits per year toward the salary of the career award recipient. Further guidance on budgeting for career development salaries is provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. See also NOT-OD-17-094.
October 14, 2024
Karin F. Lidman, Ph.D.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Telephone: 301-435-0535
Email: karin.fredriksson@nih.gov
Tawanna Meadows, B.S.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Telephone: 301-435-0535
Email:meadowst@mail.nih.gov