National Institutes of Health

The NIH recognizes the need to develop and support scientific talent from across all demographic groups to join the biomedical research workforce. These investigators focus on questions about the human experience and health to improve people’s lives.

Through funding the Diversity Program Consortium (DPC), the NIH connects with a diverse set of institutions to gather evidence about different approaches to training and mentoring of students and faculty, and supporting research capacity building at institutional levels. As a Common Fund program supported by the NIH, the DPC provides a unique opportunity to understand and address issues at the institutional, social and individual levels that may strongly influence researcher success. Consortium initiatives support faculty development through implementing and evaluating effective approaches to training and mentoring, and build institution's capacity to facilitate faculty grant activities.

The DPC uses Hallmarks of Success—a series of goals over time—to assess the best methods to help new scientists reach career goals and faculty further develop research capacity, and to add to the knowledge base of what works. The information collected will then be shared with institutions nationwide so best practices can be implemented and adapted to local needs.