National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Mission
High school students participating in the STEP-UP program in 2012Photo credit: Dr. George Hui
The mission of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is to conduct and support medical research and research training and to disseminate science-based information on diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases, nutritional disorders, and obesity; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases, in order to improve health and quality of life. The Institute maintains a vigorous investigator-initiated research portfolio, supports pivotal clinical studies and trials, strives to preserve a stable pool of talented new investigators, fosters exceptional research training and mentoring opportunities, and ensures knowledge dissemination through outreach and communications.
Interest in Diversity
NIDDK believes that a diverse scientific workforce would bring together the best minds in the research arena to find solutions that would reduce and eradicate health disparities. Analysis of our portfolio shows that very few of our grantees come from racial and ethnic minority communities. Similarly, scientists with disabilities are underrepresented in the scientific workforce. Therefore, the Institute has launched several initiatives aimed at diversifying the scientific workforce (please see the list of diversity-targeted programs below).
Local science teachers in Palau are being trained to use equipment after the opening of a STEP-UP lab in 2014Photo credit: Bill Branson, NIH Record
Diversity-Targeted Programs
- Small Grants for New Investigators to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (R21)
- Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Administrative Supplement)
Other Opportunities
- T32 NRSA Diversity Supplement Award (T32)
- Short Term Research Experience for Underrepresented Persons
- NIDDK Diversity Summer Research Training Program
- Network of Minority Health Research Investigators
- National Medical Association (NMA) Academic Fellows Program
- National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) Academic Fellows
- Association of American Indian Physician (AAIP) Travel Scholarship Program for Undergraduate Students
Griffin P. Rodgers, MD, MACPDirector's Statement
Numerous deadly and debilitating diseases in the NIDDK research mission disproportionately burden minority populations, including diabetes, obesity, nutrition-related disorders, hepatitis C, sickle cell disease, and kidney diseases. Improving diversity in the biomedical research workforce is a key part of the strategy to reduce those disparities and to promote health for all Americans.