Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP)

The Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) in NIH grant applications is a summary of actionable strategies to advance the scientific merit of the proposed project through diverse perspectives.

Purpose

The NIH recognizes that teams comprised of investigators with diverse perspectives working together and capitalizing on innovative ideas and distinct viewpoints outperform homogeneous teams. There are many benefits that flow from a scientific workforce rich with diverse perspectives, including: fostering scientific innovation, enhancing global competitiveness, contributing to robust learning environments, improving the quality of the research, advancing the likelihood that underserved populations participate in, and benefit from research, and enhancing public trust.

To support the best science, the NIH encourages inclusivity in research guided by the consideration of diverse perspectives. Broadly, diverse perspectives can include but are not limited to the educational background and scientific expertise of the people who perform the research; the populations who participate as human subjects in research studies; and the places where research is done. Note: Consistent with federal law, reviewers should not consider in the review process nor make any comments about the race, ethnicity, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender status) of any individual researcher, trainee, or other personnel involved with the proposed project.

Examples of PEDP Strategies

Examples of items that advance inclusivity in research and may be appropriate for a PEDP can include, but are not limited to:

• Partnerships with different types of institutions and organizations (e.g., research-intensive; undergraduate-focused; HBCUs; emerging research institutions; community-based organizations).
• Project frameworks that enable communities and researchers to work collaboratively as equal partners in all phases of the research process.
• Outreach and planned engagement activities to enhance recruitment of individuals from diverse groups as human subjects in clinical trials, including those from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Description of planned partnerships that may enhance geographic and regional diversity.
• Outreach and recruiting activities intended to diversify the pool of applicants for research training programs, such as outreach to prospective applicants from groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, for example, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, those with disabilities, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and women.
• Plans to utilize the project infrastructure (i.e., research and structure) to enhance the research environment and support career-advancing opportunities for junior, early- and mid-career researchers.
• Transdisciplinary research projects and collaborations among researchers from fields beyond the biological sciences, such as physics, engineering, mathematics, computational biology, computer and data sciences, as well as bioethics.

Examples of items that are not appropriate in a PEDP include, but are not limited to:

• Selection or hiring of personnel for a research team based on their race, ethnicity, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation or transgender status).
• A training or mentorship program limited to certain researchers based on their race, ethnicity, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation or transgender status).

How will reviewers evaluate PEDP? 

As part of the Overall Impact score, reviewers will consider and indicate how the PEDP affects the scientific merit of the proposed project. The PEDP should propose actionable strategies specific to the project and explain how the diverse perspectives advance the scientific merit of the specific project proposed.    

Note: Consistent with federal law, reviewers should not consider in the review process nor make any comments about the race, ethnicity, or sex of any individual researcher, trainee, or other personnel involved with the proposed project.   

Questions? 

For questions on how the PEDP policy pertains to your application, please reach out to the scientific contact on the funding opportunity.