The Value of Diversity in Biomedical Innovation

NIH values the breadth of varied perspectives that comes from having a pool of highly talented scientists from diverse backgrounds, including women, members of racial and/or ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged and rural population centers.

Not only is NIH committed to diversifying the national scientific workforce, but SEED actively seeks diverse perspectives to enrich the biomedical innovation pipeline. With more than $1.4 billion in annual funding and ongoing entrepreneurial education and commercialization support, SEED programs empower companies to flourish throughout the evolution of their technology and company and to leverage the unique perspectives brought to bear by diverse individuals.

If you’re developing an early-stage product or service that has the potential to improve human health or conducting biomedical research, you have a place here.

Supplements to Promote Diversity in Small Business Research and Development

Small businesses with active SBIR and STTR awards can request additional funds through an administrative supplement (PA-24-255) to enhance the diversity of the research and entrepreneurial workforce. This administrative supplement program is designed to provide support for research and entrepreneurial experiences for individuals from diverse backgrounds throughout the continuum from undergraduate to the faculty level. 

Interested?

Potential Candidates can be undergraduate students, baccalaureate or master’s degree holders, graduate (predoctoral) and health professional students, individuals in postdoctoral training, and investigators developing independent research careers. 

Eligible small businesses are encouraged to identify individuals who will enhance the diversity of the research and entrepreneurial workforce, including those from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related research, women, and socially or economically disadvantaged individuals.

Review guidance on submitting an application

Companies and Candidates should review the program announcement carefully and are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate program officer prior to submitting a supplement, as Institutes and Centers may have specific guidelines. Application guidance is meant to help clarify the application process and is not intended to replace or completely cover all aspects of the detailed information in the program announcement (currently, PA-24-255).  

*A tool to search a repository of NIH funded research