The HDRI seeks to foster the research careers of promising early-career minority health/health disparities researchers, as well as to promote research in fields supported by health disparities science. Only applications from persons who match the NIH’s early-stage investigator (ESI) eligibility requirements will be accepted.
NIMHD’s primary yearly training program is the HDRI. This one-of-a-kind program includes lectures on minority health and research on health disparities, small group discussions, mock grant reviews, and seminars. Participants in the program will have the chance to meet NIH scientific experts working on health disparities research that is relevant to their interests, both at NIMHD and at other NIH institutes and centers.
Lectures on minority health and health disparities research, small group discussions, a fake grant review, and seminars are all part of the curriculum. Participants at the Institute will have the chance to interact with NIH scientific experts working on related health disparities research at several NIH Institutes and Centers.
The etiology of health inequalities, study design, methodologies and measurement, and intervention and implementation research are among the subjects covered in lectures and seminars. Participants will receive advice on how to turn a research idea into an R21, R01, or K grant application, as well as how to prepare research plans and procedures for planned investigations.
The selection committee will assess all applications received, and the top candidates will be asked to attend the HDRI.
Participants will be selected based on several factors:
- An NIH Biosketch that includes professional and research experience, educational and career achievements and a record of peer reviewed publications (first or co-authored).
- A personal statement outlining career goals, reasons for participating in the program, and plans for obtaining NIH funding.
- An NIH Specific Aims page that details the scientific premise/background, aims/hypotheses, and proposed methodology that will form the basis of a future NIH grant submission.
- Two letters of reference/recommendation documenting support for the candidate and the future NIH grant submission.
Preference will be given to applicants who can clearly demonstrate that they plan to submit an NIH grant application within one year of attending the HDRI. Additionally, applicants will be selected based on their research accomplishments, research interests, and potential for implementing the knowledge gained during the HDRI into their research program.
Participants will receive
- consultation on developing a research interest into an application
- R21, R01, K award and
- preparing research strategies and methodologies for proposed studies.
Eligibility:
- This program is intended for early-stage investigators (ESIs) who have completed their terminal degree or post-graduate clinical training within the past 10 years.
- Additionally, applicants must have either a Ph.D., M.D./D.O., Sc.D., Dr. P.H., Pharm.D., Psy.D., D.D.S./D.M.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution at the time of submitting the application.
- Applications will only be accepted from individuals who are currently in post-doctoral, assistant professor, or comparable research positions.
- Further, applications will only be accepted from individuals who are planning to submit a K or R grant to NIH within the next 12 months.
Individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Application:
All applications must be submitted via the HDRI application portal by the due date; emailed applications will not be accepted.
All of the following materials must be submitted by the applicant:
- An NIH Biosketch: Read NIH’s Biosketch guidance to learn more about the non-fellowship and fellowship formats.
- A personal statement: The personal statement should outline career goals, reasons for participating in the program, and plans for obtaining NIH funding. Word limit: 350 words.
- A Specific Aims page: The NIH specific aims page should detail the scientific premise/background, aims/hypotheses, and proposed methodology that will form the basis of a future NIH grant submission. Word limit: 850 words, no citations required.
- Two letters of reference/recommendation: The applicant must submit two letters of reference/recommendation (2-page limit each) documenting support for the candidate and the future NIH grant submission. They must be submitted in PDF format, on letterhead, addressed to the HDRI Selection Committee.
Note: There is no other specific formatting required for font or spacing.
