NIGMS is accepting diversity supplement applications to support master’s degree students who are planning to apply to Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. programs. This opportunity is part of our Diversity Supplements Program, which facilitates the recruitment and training of promising scientists from diverse backgrounds (including individuals from groups underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce). The broader goal of this program is to enhance the diversity of the biomedical research enterprise.
The duration of supplement support is normally 1 year but can be extended for up to 1 additional year, for a total of 24 months. Program directors (PDs)/principal investigators (PIs) with active NIGMS research grants, program project grants, center grants, or cooperative agreements are eligible to apply if there are at least 12 months remaining on the grant.
As noted in the diversity supplements funding announcement (PAR-21-071), eligible candidates must be United States citizens or permanent residents. The proposed research experience must be within the scope of the PD’s/PI’s active NIGMS research grant, and the focus of the application should be on advancing the candidate’s research career.
PIs with eligible candidates are strongly encouraged to discuss potential diversity supplement requests with the program officer of their grant before applying. We also encourage all potential applicants to contact us to discuss the proposed training and career development plan and supplement application process before preparing an application.
I have found that these supplemental awards are not useful if you wish to recruit more students with disabilities due to having to meet the strict eligibility and time requirements. The chances of encountering a student with a disability is not common, which is the problem. However, even more unlikely is to find that students while you have a current NIH award and during the first year or two of receiving that award.