Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)
and Human Services (HHS)
February 8, 2021
NOT-OD-21-053 - Updated Guidelines for Enhancing Diversity and Creating Safe Environments in Conferences Supported by NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements
NOT-OD-20-031 - Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity
NOT-OD-15-152 - Civil Rights Protections in NIH-Supported Research, Programs, Conferences and Other Activities
Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health (OD)
This guide notice announces changes to the review criteria for applications submitted to NIH for support of Scientific Conferences (R13 and U13) related to the implementation of guidelines announced in NOT-OD-21-053 Updated Guidelines for Enhancing Diversity and Creating Safe Environments in Conferences Supported by NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements. All changes take effect for R13/U13 applications submitted for the April 12, 2021 application due date.
Review Changes
Diversity Plans
Applications submitted to NIH for support of Scientific Conferences (R13 and U13) are required to include a Diversity Plan that replaces instruction to describe plans to seek appropriate representation.
Reviewers will be asked to evaluate:
How well does the diversity plan demonstrate efforts to enhance diversity by increasing the participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups, in the planning and implementation, and participation in the proposed conference? Underrepresented groups include individuals from nationally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, and women. For more information, seeNOT-OD-20-031 Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity; NOT-OD-15-152 Civil Rights Protections in NIH-Supported Research, Programs, Conferences and Other Activities; and NOT-OD-21-053 Updated Guidelines on Enhancing Diversity and Creating Safe Environments in Conferences Supported by NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements.
Reviewers will consider the Diversity Plan in determining the scientific and technical merit of the application, and in providing an overall impact score. The Diversity Plan will be evaluated as an additional review criterion and not receive a separate criterion score.
Investigators
R13/U13 applicants should describe in the Personal Statement of the Biographical Sketch senior/key persons’ past experiences with enhancing diversity by increasing the participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups, in biomedical sciences.
Reviewers will be asked to evaluate:
Is(are) the PD(s)/PI(s) well suited for organizing and fulfilling the goals of this conference, including efforts to enhance diversity? Are the qualifications and past performance of the PD(s)/PI(s) appropriate, and are they well suited for their described roles in the conference? Are the key personnel and selected speakers appropriate and well suited for their described roles in the conference?
Background
NOT-OD-21-053 Updated Guidelines for Enhancing Diversity and Creating Safe Environments in Conferences Supported by NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements announced updated guidance on enhancing the diversity of conferences supported by the NIH and also reiterated the expectation that organizers of NIH-supported conferences maintain inclusive, safe, and respectful environments for all attendees. Conference grant applicants are encouraged to enhance diversity by increasing the participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups, in the planning, implementation, and participation in the proposed conference. Per NOT-OD-20-031 Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity, NIH’s ability to 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 the NIH’s mission. Supporting a diverse scientific workforce fosters creativity and innovation, helps to ensure that different perspectives are considered when addressing complex scientific problems, and ultimately improves the quality of research. Additionally, section 402(h) of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 282(h), directs NIH to provide for an increase in the number of women, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in fields of biomedical and behavioral research.
Sally A. Amero, Ph.D.
NIH Review Policy Officer
Email: ReviewPolicyOfficer@mail.nih.gov