Scientists for the 21st Century:
Preparing a Diverse Research Workforce
Other Support
NIGMS supports and organizes scientific meetings and other activities that promote diverse participation in biomedical and behavioral research. The Institute also collaborates with the Indian Health Service on a special program that links the Native American community with organizations that conduct health research. This program encourages research on diseases relevant to American Indians and Alaska Natives, and it prepares Native American scientists and health professionals to compete for NIH funding.
To attract and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to pursue biomedical and behavioral research careers, NIH provides supplements to existing research grants, enabling people at the high school through faculty levels to work in the labs of scientists holding the grants. Another NIH-wide program makes grants to institutions for predoctoral and postdoctoral training programs; the institutions select the students to be supported with these funds.