Notice of Modifications to the National Human Genome Research Institute's Diversity Action Plan

Notice Number: NOT-HG-14-029

Key Dates
Release Date: July 29, 2014

Related Announcements
NOT-HG-14-032
PAR-13-063

Issued by
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

Purpose

The purpose of this Notice is to alert grantees: (1) of the continuous commitment of the Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and its National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research (NACHGR) to NHGRI’s Diversity Action Plan (DAP) and (2) about program modifications.

Background

At the May 2014 meeting of the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research, NHGRI staff discussed NHGRI’s Diversity Action Plan (DAP) which was initiated in 2002 with Council. Staff presented the history of the program and provided outcome data on the program.

The most significant outcomes were:

  • more than 81% of the participants have been underrepresented minorities (URMs), although the NHGRI DAP is open to allindividuals from underrepresented backgrounds, which includes; individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals disadvantaged backgrounds (see full FOA: PAR-13-063)
  • more than 71% were undergraduates who participated in either a summer or academic year program; and
  • more than 76% of undergraduate students who participated in NHGRI’s DAP program remained in STEM research or STEM-non research fields, such as teaching and science administration, after completing their program.

The NACHGR was very supportive of the program, and recommended several modifications. These were:

  • Grantees of the three high profile programs (large-scale sequencing programs, databases and Centers of Excellence in Genomic Science) should be given the option to opt-out of having a DAP program, if they can provide a strong justification for non-participation.
  • The goal of the program should be to prepare students to pursue a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in a biomedical research area relevant to genomics.
  • The program should focus on three career levels: undergraduate; postbaccaleaurate; and graduate students
  • The DAP annual meeting should be folded into the proposed annual meetings of trainees and scholars who participate in NHGRI-supported institutional training grants and career development programs.
  • The DAP students should participate in the annual meetings to enhance their networking and career development opportunities.
  • The career level recommendations require modification of the language in the funding opportunity description:

Implementation

The following section of PAR-13-063 is modified to implement these changes.

Part 2. Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Current language:
The types of research experiences that can be supported under this award include, but are not limited to:

  1. short-term research experiences for undergraduate and graduate students;
  2. up to two years of full-time post baccalaureate research and academic support with the objective of transitioning to a F31 or other source of peer-reviewed support for graduate school; participants can take academic courses, but may not be enrolled in a formal graduate program.
  3. up to 24 months part-time support for graduate school with the objective of transitioning to a F31 or other source or peer-reviewed support;
  4. up to 24 months part-time for postdoctoral support with the objective of transitioning to a F32 or other source of peer reviewed support; and
  5. research experiences for faculty with the objective of obtaining preliminary data for research grant applications.

New Language:
The types of research experiences that can be supported under this award include, but are not limited to:

  1. short-term research experiences for undergraduate and graduate students;
  2. up to two years of full-time post baccalaureate research and academic support with the objective of transitioning to a F30, F31 or other source of peer-reviewed support for graduate school; participants can take academic courses, but may not be enrolled in a formal graduate program.
  3. up to 24 months part-time support for graduate school with the objective of transitioning to a F30, F31 or other source or peer-reviewed support.

These recommendations will be effective upon publication of this Notice, with the following exceptions:

  • Currently funded programs will be encouraged, but not required, to comply with these new program changes.
  • Upon renewal, all ongoing programs, with few exceptions, will be required to comply with the new program changes.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Genomic Sciences:
Tina Gatlin, Ph.D.
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Phone: 301-480-2280
Email: christine.gatlin@nih.gov

Genomic Medicine:
Heather A. Junkins, M.S.
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Email: junkinsh@mail.nih.gov

National Human Genome Research Institute
Telephone: 301-496-7531
Website: http://www.genome.gov