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December, 2022 E-Newsletter

  1. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
  2. National Institutes of Health

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December, 2022  

A Message from the COSWD, Marie A. Bernard, M.D.

Dr. Bernard

To quote an old African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.” Our progress is never as fast as we’d like, but we’re going farther because of our extraordinary teamwork and support throughout NIH.  

In 2022, the COSWD team continued advancing scientific workforce diversity and amplifying evidence-based approaches to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) across the biomedical and behavioral research enterprise.

We began by releasing the 2022–2026 COSWD Strategic Plan, which describes our goals and crosscutting strategies in pursuit of our mission to catalyze cultures of inclusive excellence as the NIH thought leader in the science of scientific workforce. Our plan also aligns with the forthcoming NIH-Wide DEIA Strategic Plan. We also supported the development of the inaugural UNITE Progress Report, an in-depth look at the story of UNITE and its accomplishments since its public unveiling in February 2021. I’m also glad that we collaborated with the NIH Common Fund as they announced the second round of FIRST awardees.

I am excited for the COSWD team to build on this foundational work in 2023. Guided by our strategic plan, our agenda includes funding a second round of DEIA mentorship supplements, launching a DEIA prize competition, and continuing our popular Scientific Workforce Diversity Seminar Series (SWDSS).

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for our team’s endeavors.

I hope you enjoy reading our highlights from the past quarter—highlights that were only possible because of dedicated individuals working together. I look forward to reconnecting with you in the new year.

COSWD News Roundup 

DEIA Mentorship Supplements

The COSWD office reissued Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) NOT-OD-23-022. These institutional awards supplement the existing awards of scientists who have demonstrated a commitment to exceptional training and mentorship, especially to individuals from underrepresented groups. Applications are due by February 17, 2023.

In response to the first NOSI, we funded 84 grant supplements for DEIA mentorship efforts. In Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), we will contribute, presuming availability of funds, up to $18 million for these supplements—a $6 million increase over the FY22 commitment.

Prospective applicants should attend a webinar on Monday, December 12, 1:30–3:30 p.m. EST, to learn more about this funding opportunity. Submit questions before the webinar via COSWDevents@nih.gov.

Upcoming Scientific Workforce Diversity Seminar Series

Our SWDSS event in February will focus on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Advancing Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEM Organizations report. We eagerly anticipate this interdisciplinary report, which NASEM will post in late January, and our seminar to highlight the findings. Follow COSWD on LinkedIn and Twitter for updates.

In Case You Missed It: Recent Posts from the COSWD Blog

The Latest in the Science of Workforce Diversity

Question of the Month

How do NIH’s administrative supplements to recognize excellence in DEIA mentorship foster scientific workforce diversity? They—

  1. enhance mentorship in NIH-funded research, including for scientists from underrepresented groups.
  2. recognize the crucial role that engaged, active mentors play in developing future science leaders.
  3. support scientists who have demonstrated commitments and contributions to mentorship and DEIA.
  4. all the above.
  5. none of the above.

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