Learn about NIH grant-related resources and other information relevant for NIH-supported researchers with disabilities.
Overview
This page provides information and resources for researchers with disabilities in biomedical research supported by extramural awards. Topics include funding opportunities, relevant grant policies and requirements, peer review, notifying NIH of potential harassment or discrimination, how to improve accessibility, and more.
Background
NIH’s ability to help ensure that the nation remains a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation depends on a pool of talented scientists with broad perspectives to conduct and review biomedical and behavioral research. People with disabilities make valuable contributions to the research enterprise as principal investigators, key personnel, trainees, peer reviewers, laboratory and other institutional staff, and community advisory members.
NIH Funding Opportunities, Policies, and Requirements
Eligibility as a Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI)
Researchers with disabilities may serve as PD/PI on NIH awards. to learn more, check the eligibility criteria in NIH funding opportunities published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.
Administrative Supplements to NIH Awards
If a PD/PI designated on an NIH research award, program project, or center grant is or becomes disabled during the project period, the organization may request administrative supplement funds (such as through PA-23-189). These funds may be used for reasonable accommodations so the PD/PI may complete the currently funded research project. Examples depend on the situation, but may include special equipment, an assistant, or other modifications to facilitate reasonable accommodation to a disabling injury or illness.
Resources for Peer Reviewers with Disabilities
NIH supports researchers with disabilities participating throughout peer review. For instance, the Center for Scientific Review explains what accommodations are available to allow full participation by those with disabilities, including guidance for NIH Scientific Review Officers regarding Deaf or Hard of Hearing reviewers. Please contact your Scientific Review Officer with any questions.
Accessibility Examples
Below are selected examples of how organizations can make the research environment accessible for researchers with disabilities.
- Bring researchers and trainees with disabilities, who have valuable perspectives to address challenging biomedical problems, onto research teams.
- Consider accessibility with adaptive technologies (e.g., screen readers) when developing and using research products and electronic systems. Find tips for tables, charts, and figures as well as accessible PDFs.
- Make scientific conferences and other events more accessible through reasonable accommodations, allowing everyone to fully participate and contribute. For virtual events, ensure sign language interpreters are available when requested. Designate someone to monitor the text chat and read questions and comments aloud.
Relevant Sections of the NIH Grants Policy Statement
- 4.1.2 Civil Rights Protections: subsection on the Rehabilitation Act
- 10.8.2 Alteration and Renovation Projects Under Non-Construction Grants: section on Prior Approvals
- 10.10 Public Policy Requirements: sections on making facilities accessible
- 11.2.9 Allowable and Unallowable Costs: use of institutional allowance for reasonable accommodations for individual National Research Service Award (NRSA) fellowships
- 11.3.8 Allowable and Unallowable Costs: use of institutional allowance for reasonable accommodations for Institutional NRSA T32 training awards
- 12.3.6 Level of Effort: reducing levels of effort on career development awards due to disability
- 14.7 Application Review for NIH-Supported Conferences: sections on diversity plans
Statements and Reports
Relevant NIH Open Mike Blogs
- July 3, 2024: Continued Support for Early Stage Investigators in FY 2023
- May 6, 2024: Age of Principal Investigators at the Time of First R01 Remains Level with Recent Years in FY 2023
- June 5, 2023: MORE Early Stage Investigators Supported in FY 2022
- December 12, 2022: Data on Researchers’ Self-Reported Disability Status
- January 21, 2021: Enhancing Diversity at NIH-Supported conferences
- November 26, 2019: Expanding NIH’s Definition of Socio-Economic Disadvantaged to be More Inclusive and Diversify the Workforce
Additional Statements from NIH Leadership or Advisory Groups
- October 23, 2024, National Library of Medicine: The Future of PubMed Central: Publicly Accessible, Digitally Equitable, Universally Valuable
- July 17, 2024, NIH Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity: Unlocking Possibilities: Dr. Bernard Talks With Dr. Cernich for Disability Pride Month
- June 17, 2024, NIH All About Grants Podcast: A Focus on Researchers with Disabilities
- March 20, 2023, Fiscal Years 2023-2027 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
- December 30, 2022: New Recommendations for Enhancing Disability Inclusion
- December 1, 2022: Advisory Committee to the NIH Director Working Group on Diversity, Subgroup on Individuals with Disabilities
- July 21, 2021: NIH Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity: Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Scientific Workforce
Additional Resources
- NIH Data Book: Data by Disability
- NIH Center for Scientific Review: Demographics of Peer Reviewers
- What Demographic Information does NIH Collect on Researchers, and How Is It Used?
- National Science Foundation: Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities 2023
- National Science Foundation: Supporting Persons With Disabilities in STEM ce Diversity: Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Scientific Workforce
Report a Concern
NIH does not tolerate harassment, discrimination, bullying, or other inappropriate conduct of any kind anywhere NIH-funded activities are conducted. This includes against people with disabilities. Please review our Supporting a Safe and Respectful Workplace at Institutions that Receive NIH Funding website. You may notify NIH about any concerns via the online webform.