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Training Opportunities for Special Populations

NIA participates in NIH-wide programs to increase diversity in the research workforce, supplements these programs with NIA-specific initiatives, and co-funds similarly aligned initiatives offered by other select institutes or centers. The goal of these programs is to improve the diversity of the research workforce by increasing the numbers of trained researchers from underrepresented groups who become leaders in their research field. These programs touch on all stages of the research training ecosystem, from grade school to research faculty. NIH, including NIA, expects these efforts to improve the recruitment of the most talented researchers in all groups, to improve the quality of the broader educational and training environment, to lead to more inclusive research priority-setting, to improve researchers’ capacity to recruit research participants from all sectors of the community, and to improve the capacity of research to address and eliminate health disparities.

On this page:

NIH-wide programs to diversify the research workforce

NIH’s ability to help ensure that the nation remains a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation is dependent upon a pool of highly talented scientists from diverse backgrounds who will help to further NIH's mission. With this notice (NOT-OD-20-031), 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.

Programs include:

Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA for Individual Predoctoral Fellowships (F31) to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research

Salary and tuition support for excellent predoctoral trainees conducting basic or translational biomedical research. Applicants should be from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research workforce including individuals with disabilities.

Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA for Individual Predoctoral Fellowships (F31) to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

F31-Diversity

PhD students who have chosen a research lab

PA-21-052

Supplement Programs to Enhance Diversity and Re-entry into the Research Workforce

NIH-wide supplement programs to enhance diversity and promote re-entry into the research workforce (respectively). Provides additional financial support to program director(s) (PD) or principal investigator(s) (PI) with an active NIH grant in order to onboard individuals/trainees from a target population to perform work within the scope of the ongoing grant. Applications must outline the potential for the award to contribute significantly to the career development of the candidate. Read more about the NIA Diversity and Re-Entry Supplement Guidelines.

Supplement Programs to Enhance Diversity and Re-entry into the Research Workforce

Name

Brief Description

NOFO

Diversity Supplement

Provides PIs with a NIH research grant an administrative supplement to support individual trainees, across various training stages, from underrepresented populations.

PA-23-189

Re-Entry and Re-integration Supplement

Awards PIs on many different types of research grants an administrative supplement to support an individual returning to the research workforce after a career interruption (e.g., raising children or previously unsafe lab env.).

NOT-OD-21-134

Diversity Supplement – SBIR/STTR

Provides PIs on small business grants an administrative supplement to onboard individuals, at various training stages, from underrepresented populations.

PA-21-345

NIH HEAL Initiative awardees are encouraged to apply to these research supplements to promote diversity in health-related research (PA-23-189).

NIH SEED office provides additional resources and application guidance on the diversity supplement for SBIR and STTR awards.

NIA-specific Programs to Diversify the Research Workforce

Programs include:

Aging Research Dissertation Awards (R36)

The R36 dissertation research award announcement is intended to stimulate the participation of individuals from the following groups:

  1. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
  2. Individuals with disabilities.
  3. Individuals from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, which have inhibited their ability to pursue a career in health-related research

This award provides a dissertation award to a PhD candidate conducting research on aging and aging-related health conditions. The NIH recognizes that the last few years of the PhD represents are critical juncture in doctoral training--a period during which institutional support often declines or terminates altogether.

Aging Research Dissertation Awards (R36)

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

R36 – Dissertation Award

PhD candidates who are in the last few years of their doctoral training

PAR-23-174

NIA Predoctoral, Postdoctoral, and Career Transition Awards to Promote Diversity in Translational Research for AD/ADRD (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of these companion Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) is to promote diversity in the translational research workforce for Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). With an emphasis on the development of skills in data science and drug discovery, and their application to various aspects of AD/ADRD research (from populations studies to research that can lead to new treatments and diagnostics, including all aspects of behavioral and social research). For more information, visit the NIA webpages for the F31, F32, and K99/R00 awards.

NIA Predoctoral, Postdoctoral, and Career Transition Awards to Promote Diversity in Translational Research for AD/ADRD (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

F31-Diversity (AD/ADRD)

PhD students who have chosen a research lab

PAR-21-218

F32-Diversity (AD/ADRD)

Postdoctoral researchers

PAR-21-217

K99/R00 – NIA (AD/ADRD)

Postdocs with up to 4 years of postdoctoral research experience transitioning to a role as an independent scientist

PAR-21-220

Butler Williams Scholars Program

The Butler-Williams Scholars Program provides a week-long program with unique opportunities for junior faculty and researchers new to the field of aging to gain insight about aging research. The program offers diverse perspectives and includes presentations, seminars, and small group discussions. As an offering of the NIA Office of Special Populations, researchers with an interest in health disparities research related to aging are encouraged to apply. Applicants from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities and women are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

Butler Williams Scholars Program

Name

Target Audience

Timeline

Butler-Williams Scholars Program

Early stage/junior faculty and researchers new to the field of aging

Held annually

Training Grant Add-On Slots

NIA is committed to diversifying the aging research workforce, and particularly the aging research trainee population. NIA-supported training grants (T32s) are expected to support qualified trainees from backgrounds likely to diversify the research enterprise with their awarded training slots. If after having filled all awarded slots on the training grant an eligible and qualified trainee is identified, directors of NIA-supported T32s are permitted to request a temporary additional pre- or postdoctoral training slot. Read more about the NIA policy on training grant add-on slots.

Current NIA T-grants Supporting Add-On Slots

Name

Brief Description

NOFO

T32

An institutional award to support research, training, and career development programs for predoctoral or postdoctoral researchers

PA-20-142

AD/ADRD T32

An institutional award to build a collaborative and creative scientific workforce to bridge the existing expertise gaps in AD drug discovery and preclinical therapy development.

PAR-21-112

ERA – Expanding Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

NIA is committed to attracting, training, and developing a skilled and diverse interdisciplinary Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia research workforce. To this end, NIA recently issued two new institutional research education funding opportunities designed to expand research opportunities in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRD). Read more about the ERA programs.

ERA - Expanding Research in AD/ADRD

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

ERA - Summer

An institutional award to support summer research education programs for high school students, undergrads, or K-12 science teachers.

RFA-AG-24-013

ERA - Postbac

An institutional award to support 1-2 year postbaccalaureate research programs for recent graduates.

RFA-AG-24-012

NIA MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through Undergraduate Education (R25 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) is awarded to an institute to provide educational activities that complement other formal training programs in the mission areas of the NIH Institutes and Centers to a target population.

NIA encourages college students to pursue biomedical research careers through its Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR) Through Undergraduate Education programs. Students are eligible to apply for NIA ADAR-funded programs if they are from economically, socially, culturally, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Applicants include students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and those who have vision, hearing, or other disabilities.

Current NIA ADAR-supported institutions are located across the country, and each one offers a uniquely designed program.

NIA MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through Undergraduate Education (R25 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

R25 - MSTEM

An institutional award to support the development of formal training programs that encourage undergraduates from diverse backgrounds to pursue further studies or careers in research

PAR-20-317

Multi-IC programs of which NIA participates

NIA funds or co-funds with other NIH institutes or centers (ICs) projects relevant to aging research under the following mechanisms:

NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award (F99/K00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of the NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award is to support a defined pathway across career stages for outstanding graduate students from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral sciences. This two-phase award will facilitate completion of the doctoral dissertation and transition of talented graduate students to strong neuroscience research postdoctoral positions and will provide career development opportunities relevant to their long-term career goal of becoming independent neuroscience researchers. More information on D-SPAN can be found online.

NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award (F99/K00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

F99/K00 – D-SPAN

Allows graduate students to complete their doctoral dissertation and transition to a postdoctoral position in neuroscience.

RFA-NS-21-012

BRAIN Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00)

The purpose of the NIH BRAIN Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00) program is to enhance workforce diversity in the neuroscience workforce and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NIH-supported, independent investigators from diverse backgrounds in BRAIN Initiative research areas. This program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of outstanding postdoctoral researchers with research and/or clinical doctorate degree from mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions.

RAIN Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00)

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

K99/R00 – BRAIN Initiative (Clinical Trial req.)

Postdocs with up to 5 years of postdoctoral research experience transitioning to a role as an independent scientist

RFA-NS-19-044

K99/R00 – BRAIN Initiative (Clinical Trial not allowed)

Postdocs with up to 5 years of postdoctoral research experience transitioning to a role as an independent scientist

RFA-NS-19-043

Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) (K99/R00 and UE5)

The objective of the MOSAIC Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00) is to enhance workforce diversity by facilitating a timely transition of promising postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds (e.g., see Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity) from their mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent research-intensive faculty positions. The program has two components: an institutionally-focused research education cooperative agreement (UE5) and an individual postdoctoral career transition award (K99/R00) to enhance diversity.

Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) (K99/R00 and UE5)

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

K99/R00 – MOSAIC

Postdocs with up to 4 years of postdoctoral research experience transitioning to a role as an independent scientist

PAR-21-277

NINDS Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity

This program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds conducting AD/ADRD research into independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. The program will provide independent NIH research support during this transition in order to help awardees establish independent research programs in the AD/ADRD field.

NINDS Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

K99/R00 – NINDS AD/ADRD (Clinical Trial not allowed)

Postdocs with up to 4 years of postdoctoral research experience transitioning to a role as an independent scientist in the field of ADRD.

PAR-22-022

Support of Continuous Research Excellence (SCORE)

SCORE is a developmental program that seeks to increase the research competitiveness of faculty at institutions that have an explicit historical mission focused on training and graduating students from underrepresented groups (generally referred to as minority serving institutes, MSIs).

Support of Continuous Research Excellence (SCORE)

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

SC1 - Research Advancement Award

For investigators with a track record of research activity who are seeking to enhance their research productivity in order to transition to non-SCORE support in a limited period of time.

PAR-20-039

SC2 - Pilot Project Award

For investigators who are at the beginning stages of a research career, applying for their first non-fellowship research award, and who are interested in testing a new idea, or generating preliminary data.

PAR-20-040

SC3 - Research Continuance Award

For investigators who have been engaged in scholarly research and published, and who seek to continue to conduct competitive research of limited scope to increase their publications and eventually transition to non-SCORE support.

PAR-20-041

Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Program (R16)

The SuRE program supports research capacity building at institutions that enroll significant numbers of students from backgrounds nationally underrepresented in biomedical research, award baccalaureate and/or graduate degrees in biomedical sciences, and receive limited NIH Research Project Grant funding. It seeks to develop and sustain research excellence of faculty investigators and provide students with research opportunities while catalyzing institutional research culture and enriching the research environment.

Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Program (R16)

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

R16 – SuRE

Investigator-initiated research projects to expand research capacity at institutions that enroll significant numbers of students from backgrounds nationally underrepresented in biomedical research

PAR-21-169

R16 – SuRE-First

Similar to above; specifically for faculty investigators who have not had prior independent external research grants

PAR-21-173

U24 – SuRE

Funding to support a national resource center that provides infrastructure development to SuRE-eligible institutions and application services to faculty investigators.

PAR-21-227

NIH Blueprint Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (NIH BP ENDURE R25)

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The overarching goal of this NIH Blueprint ENDURE R25 program is to encourage and support undergraduate students from diverse background, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce, to enter Ph.D. degree programs in the neuroscience and pursue further studies or careers in research. To accomplish the stated overarching goal, this NOFO will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on Courses for Skills Development, Research Experiences, and Mentoring Activities.

NIH Blueprint Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (NIH BP ENDURE R25)

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

R25 – BP ENDURE

An institutional award to support the development of formal training programs that encourage undergraduates from diverse backgrounds to pursue further studies or careers in neuroscience research

RFA-NS-20-015

NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25)

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The goal of the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program is to invest in educational activities that enhance the training and diversity of a workforce to meet the nation’s biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs. To this end, this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) encourages the development of innovative educational activities for pre-kindergarten to grade 12 (P-12), teachers and students from underserved communities with a focus on Courses for Skills Development, Research Experiences, Mentoring Activities, Curriculum or Methods Development or Informal science Education (ISE) exhibits, and Outreach activities.

NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25)

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

R25 – SEPA

An institutional award to support the development of programs providing innovative educational activities for pre-k to grade 12, teachers and students from underserved communities

PAR-20-153

Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) (S06)

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences in conjunction with multiple NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) have partnered with Indian Health Service (IHS) to support the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH). The NARCH program supports opportunities for conducting research and career enrichment to meet health needs prioritized by American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes or tribally based organizations. It aims to:

  • Work toward reducing health disparities in AI/AN populations by allowing the AI/AN communities to control and prioritize the health research and career enhancement opportunities.
  • Support health research projects selected and prioritized by the AI/AN communities.
  • Encourage research capacity and infrastructure building within AI/AN communities to provide the framework for sustainability of research within the tribal communities.
  • Enhance health research partnerships while promoting a cadre of scientists and health research professionals interested in AI/AN health research from within and outside the AI/AN communities.
Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) (S06)

Name

Target Audience

NOFO

S06 – NARCH

An award for eligible AI/AN tribes/organization to develop a project to conduct research and strengthen the biomedical research capacity focused on the health needs of AI/AN populations. Applications can be in partnership with a research-intensive institution.

PAR-20-125

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