Skip to main content

New Funding Opportunity Recognizes Excellence in DEIA Mentorship

November 22, 2022

It is a pleasure to announce the reissue of the COWSD-led Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) NOT-OD-23-002: Administrative Supplements to Recognize Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Mentorship.

This NOSI recognizes the crucial role of effective mentorship in developing scientific leaders and a diverse biomedical and behavioral research workforce. The institutional awards supplement the existing awards of program directors and principal investigators who have demonstrated a commitment to exceptional training and mentorship, especially to individuals from groups identified as underrepresented in health-related sciences. Mentorship efforts do not always receive appropriate acknowledgment or support; therefore, this NOSI intends to reach those individuals with limited NIH support.

A reissue of NOSI NOT-OD-22-057, the NOSI enables investigators who dedicate time and energy to mentorship and significantly contribute to DEIA to further their research and mentoring activities. As such, it differs from a diversity supplement, which seeks to support research experiences for individuals from diverse backgrounds through the career continuum.

Multiple NIH institutes and centers are inviting applications. Supplements are available for various grant types, including career development, training, cooperative, and Research Project Grants (R01). Applicants may request up to $250,000 in direct costs per year for one or two years, not to exceed the direct costs of the parent award. COSWD intends to commit up to $18 million through this NOSI in fiscal year 2023, contingent upon NIH appropriations. This represents an increase of $6 million from fiscal year 2022. Applications for funding are due by February 17, 2023.

Prospective applicants should join me for a webinar on Monday, December 12, from 1:30–3:00 p.m. ESTExit Link Disclaimer, where we will provide an overview of this funding opportunity and address questions about preparing an application. Please submit questions before the webinar via COSWDevents@nih.gov. A recording of the event will be available for those unable to attend.

NIH initiated DEIA mentorship supplements in February 2022 as part of its commitment to promoting inclusive excellence and enhancing mentorship within NIH-supported research. The first NOSI received an overwhelming response. COSWD worked with participating institutes, centers, and offices to fund 84 grant supplements for DEIA mentorship efforts; the awards are expected to total nearly $19 million.

I encourage eligible investigators to apply for this opportunity to be acknowledged for enhancing DEIA mentorship and fostering the success of their colleagues in the biomedical and behavioral research enterprise. Please review the NOSI for additional details, read the DEIA mentorship supplements FAQs, and consult with the parent award’s program officer and the appropriate Institutes and Centers scientific contact.