Today, more than ever, biomedical science is a team enterprise. Eureka moments do not typically come to scientists toiling alone in their labs, but to groups of scientists bringing their unique perspectives to the work at hand.

Engaging individuals of different genders, backgrounds and areas of expertise encourages unique insights on research questions, and it sets the stage for creative solutions. It is also important to reach into communities that are underrepresented in science in order to cultivate talent and promote excellence across the social spectrum.

The U.S population is projected to be majority-minority for the first time by the 2040’s. The more than 80 million millennials in the U.S. have overtaken baby boomers in number and are the most diverse generation in history. Meanwhile, we know from surveys conducted by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Census Bureau that the scientific workforce does not represent the diversity of the U.S. population. The future of the biomedical research workforce depends on engaging people from underrepresented backgrounds in research. Such individuals include those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, and women at senior career levels.

NEI encourages the development of a diverse biomedical research workforce through both research training programs that attract and train students and new investigators from underrepresented backgrounds in the area of vision research as well as education and outreach efforts that disseminate practical vision research results to a diverse public.