Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research for
Graduate Research Assistants

This supplement enables principal investigators with eligible NHLBI research grants to include graduate students in their projects. Priority is given to applications requesting support for individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and/or individuals with disabilities.

The research activity proposed for the student must be part of the approved research for the parent grant or a logical extension. The student must be given opportunities to interact with other individuals on the grant and to contribute intellectually to the study.

Research Supplements to Promote Diversity Web links:

Program Announcement (PA-08-190) Research Supplements to
Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research

For additional information specific to the NHLBI, please see the
NHLBI Guidelines for the Applicant - Research Supplements to
Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research

The NHLBI Website also lists training programs under the
category Request for Applications/Proposals & Program
Announcements with the application receipt date.

Who is eligible? All principal investigators at U.S. institutions with eligible NHLBI research grants who wish to offer research experiences to students with disabilities and/or students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups who are pursuing a master's or a research doctoral degree program in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, or social sciences.

The opportunities? Research training

Duration of support? Summer, during the academic year, or a combination of summer and academic year

Where? At the principal investigator's institution

Applications due? Any time, but no later than 3 months before the last 2 years remaining on the NHLBI research grant

Stipend: The NIH will provide salary support in addition to other necessary expenses, such as supplies and travel, to enable the individual to participate as a graduate research assistant in a funded research project. The NIH will provide compensation that (1) conforms to the established, consistently applied salary and wage policies of the institution and (2) reflects the percentage of time devoted to the PHS-funded project. For graduate students this compensation may include tuition remission paid as, or in lieu of, wages provided that the student is in a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the institution for the work performed, and payment is made explicitly for performance of necessary work. The total amount requested for salary, tuition and fringe benefits can not exceed the amount allowable for a first year postdoctoral fellow (i.e., level zero) at the same institution performing comparable work (see NIH Guide announcement). Additional funds up to $4,000 per year may be requested for supplies and travel. Up to $1,000 per year of this amount should be for travel to scientific meetings. Funds may not be used to purchase equipment.

How to apply: Principal investigators should contact the NHLBI program administrator who administers the parent grant or:

Chitra Krishnamurti, PhD
Deputy Director
Office of Research Training and Minority Health, NHLBI
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 9182
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7913
Phone: (301) 451-5081
Fax: (301) 480-0862
Email: krishnac@nhlbi.nih.gov

Revised October 2009