NIH offers programs to enhance the scientific workforce by supporting students and researchers at colleges, universities, and research institutions across the country. Additionally, there are programs designed to bring students and researchers to NIH to conduct research.
Programs
Future Research Leaders Conference (FRLC)
The NIH Future Research Leaders Conference (FRLC) is a career development event for early-career scientists from diverse backgrounds. Event participants learn about NIH opportunities that support a career in biomedical and behavioral research.
Implicit Bias Education and Research
We developed implicit-bias education modules and uses these modules for presentations and workshops that explain the concept of implicit bias and present scientific evidence of how such bias may affect judgements and decision-making in scientific contexts. The educational modules also provide evidence-based strategies to reduce the influence of implicit bias. Our office also evaluates the effectiveness of the implicit-bias education modules we offer to NIH groups. Please contact COSWD@nih.gov if you would like to learn more about this education effort or to schedule an event for your office/IC.
COSWD Recruitment Search Protocol
The COSWD Recruitment Search Protocol (Protocol) is a systematic process of identifying a diverse group of potential candidates aligned with NIH's scientific opportunities. Since 2016, COSWD has supported NIH in expanding recruitment of exceptional talent to the biomedical enterprise. COSWD has served job search committees by developing curated candidate lists of qualified potential candidates, aligned with NIH's scientific opportunities. Each search list includes a diverse selection of potential candidates who are identified through a systematic process. As of Fiscal Year 2022, specialists at every NIH Institute and Center were trained in the use of the Protocol to facilitate widespread use of the approach for the recruitment of scientific staff.
Recruiting Diverse Talent: Myths
Questions? Contact SWDToolkit@od.nih.gov
Partnerships
The ACD provides guidance about NIH mission-relevant responsibilities, including providing recommendations on program development, resource allocation, and NIH policy. The ACD Biomedical Workforce Task Force and Working Group on Diversity promote the goal of achieving diversity and inclusion at NIH.
OITE provides scientific and professional skills training for intramural and extramural scientists at all levels, including high school and college students, recent graduates, graduate students, professional students, postdoctoral/clinical fellows, investigators, and staff. OITE also supports workforce diversity through its outreach and recruiting efforts.
EDI is NIH’s office for strengthening internal diversity and inclusion. Through its program “EDI 365,” NIH is shaping mindsets and promoting a positive work culture that embraces the talents and perspectives of people from diverse backgrounds. Learn more about EDI 365 and take the pledge here.
NIGMS supports programs that foster research training and the development of a strong and diverse biomedical research workforce through a variety of programs at the undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and faculty levels.
NIH supports research training and career development programs to help prepare individuals for careers in biomedical, behavioral, social, and clinical research. This site is organized to help target an individual’s educational or career stage for relevant opportunities.
OER supports extramural research (approximately 83 percent of NIH’s $32 billion budget) at the 27 NIH Institutes and Centers that award grants. OER’s Division of Biomedical Research Workforce and its Office of Extramural Programs develops biomedical workforce and training policy and analyses, including funding research and career development programming, workforce diversity, and biomedical labor economics.
