Important note regarding diversity recruitment and retention:
The current Institutional Training Grant (T32) announcement describes a major policy change, calling for a "Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity." This policy expands the definitions of groups currently underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences to include: (A) individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, (B) individuals with disabilities, and (C) individuals from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds that have inhibited their ability to pursue a career in health-related research. Institutions are encouraged to identify candidates who will increase diversity on a national or institutional basis.
New instructions for responding to this policy are now available in the new PHS 398 application. All applications for NIGMS institutional training grants (T32) submitted after January 26, 2008, must use this new policy.
Guidance on this policy can be found at:
Individuals from Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups (Category A):
NIGMS continues to place special emphasis on the recruitment, retention, and graduation of individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups. The following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Hawaiian Natives, and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands. In addition, it is recognized that underrepresentation can vary from setting to setting and individuals from racial or ethnic groups that can be convincingly demonstrated to be underrepresented by the grantee institution should be included in the recruitment and retention plan. Additional information and resources can be found at:
Individuals with Disabilities (Category B):
NIH recognizes that the training community will need to gain experience in the recruitment and retention of individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Applicants are expected to present plans for the recruitment and retention of this group and over the next few years NIH expects that applicants, reviewers, grantees, and NIH staff will gain experience in recruitment and retention in this area.
Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (Category C):
NIH recognizes that the training community will need to gain experience in the recruitment and retention of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. This includes individuals who come from a social, cultural, or educational environment such as that found in certain rural or inner-city environments that have directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.
C1. Socially, Culturally, or Educationally Disadvantaged: The policy acknowledges that this category is most applicable to high school and undergraduate candidates, but would be more difficult to justify for individuals beyond that level of achievement. Therefore, training grant programs that support only graduate-level students and postdoctoral fellows are not required to submit a recruitment and retention plan addressing this group of candidates.
C2. Economically Disadvantaged: Efforts should be made to recruit individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. NIH recognizes that the training community will need to gain experience in the recruitment and retention of individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Applicants are expected to present plans for the recruitment and retention of this group. Over the next few years NIH expects that applicants, reviewers, grantees, and NIH staff will gain experience in recruitment and retention in these areas.
