Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research for Undergraduate Students

This supplement enables principal investigators with eligible NHLBI research grants/contracts to include undergraduate students in their projects. Priority is given to applications requesting support for individuals, from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and/or individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Nationally, underrepresented groups in biomedical research careers include but are not limited to African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

The research proposed for the student must be part of the approved research for the parent grant/contract. The student should be encouraged to participate in ongoing team discussions of research findings and directions.

The program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students who are interested in biomedical, behavioral, biometric, clinical, nursing, or social sciences research to participate in a research project during the summer months and/or during the academic school year. Students are expected to devote the equivalent of at least three months of full-time effort to the research project and related activities in any one year and, in most cases, the period of support for any individual should last at least two years.

More than one undergraduate research supplements can be awarded per research grant, subproject of a program project grant (P01), or contract.

Research Supplements to Promote Diversity Web links:

Program Announcement (PA-12-149) for Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp)

For additional information specific to the NHLBI, please see the NHLBI Research Supplement Application Guidelines.

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/contracts may apply. Grants/contracts with adequate time for a summer research experience or one year remaining at the time of award are eligible to apply for undergraduate students.

The opportunities? Research training

Duration of support? At least three months of full-time effort in any one year and, in most cases, the period of support for any individual should last at least two years.

Where? At the principal investigator's institution or another academic institution.

Applications due? Any time, however, applications should arrive at least three months before the requested start date, to allow time for review.

Note: Applications requesting support by the end of the fiscal year must be received by May 31. Please check the Guidelines for application receipt and award start schedule.

Stipend: The salary (no fringe benefits) for an undergraduate student should be consistent with the institutional salary policies. Institutional rates for undergraduate salary that exceeds $12 per hour must be justified. An additional amount of $200 per month for supplies and travel may also be requested. Up to $1,000 per year of this amount should be for travel to scientific meetings or between home, school, and/or research site. Equipment may not be purchased using these funds.

Reasonable Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities: As a part of this award, funds may be requested to make changes or adjustments in the research setting that will make it possible for an otherwise qualified employee with a disability to perform the essential functions associated with his/her role on the project. The accommodations requested under this program must be DIRECTLY related to the performance of the proposed role on the research project and must be appropriate to the disabilities of the individual.

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

Nara Gavini, Ph.D.
Office of Research Training and Minority Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 9184, MSC 7913
Bethesda, MD 20892-7913
Phone: (301) 451-5081
Fax: (301) 480-0862
Email: gavininn@nhlbi.nih.gov

Revised October 2012