The Office of Research Strategy and Development aims to increase our institution’s use of National Institute of Health (NIH) funded Supplements to Promote Diversity in an effort to expand opportunities for faculty, postdocs, and students from underrepresented groups and promote inclusive excellence at the Harvard Chan School.
Program Information
NIH funding is available for administrative supplements to enhance the diversity of the research workforce by recruiting and supporting students, post-doctorates, and eligible investigators from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related research. These administrative supplements are available for most research funding mechanisms, including R, U and P-series grants. Awarded funds in the amount of $5,000 to above $100,000 can be used to add new individuals from underrepresented groups onto the research team of funded grants. In all cases, the proposed research experience must be an integral part of the approved, ongoing research of the parent award, and it must have the potential to contribute significantly to the research career development of the candidate. The streamlined application process has a higher rate of success with a faster turnaround than a standard NIH-application. Please note that these awards are available only to U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must support the approved scope of work and fall within the start and end date of the original project.
Eligible Grants
ORSD maintains a list of active awards eligible for diversity supplements. This list is updated quarterly. If you are interested in being added or removed from this list, please fill out a form or email orsd@hsph.harvard.edu.
Contact Us:
If you are a PI of an active research grant at the Harvard Chan School who is interested in matching with a qualified individual in order to apply for a supplement, please fill out this form to designate your grant as actively seeking a candidate and to be contacted by ORSD in order to discuss your project’s needs.
If you are a candidate interested in joining the research team of a funded project at the Harvard Chan School, please fill out this interest form. Please carefully review eligibility criteria prior to your request. ORSD strongly recommends that candidates confirm their eligibility with the grant’s program officer prior to submitting a supplement.
If you have questions about the Harvard Chan School Diversity Supplement Matching Initiative please email us at orsd@harvard.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diversity Supplements:
Why should I apply for a diversity supplement?
Principal investigators on research grants should consider applying for diversity supplements because…
- They provide additional funding that allows you to hire qualified investigators onto your project
- They enhance and support the scope of your existing project
- They demonstrate to the NIH that you and your institution are committed to enhancing diversity in health-related research
- They are processed quickly and do not go through full review
- They have a high success rate!
Qualified candidates (students, postdocs, and eligible investigators) should consider applying for a diversity supplement because…
- They provide you with salary support for 1-2 years depending on the project
- They can offer funding to help your training, including publication and travel costs
- They allow you to join the research team of an established investigator whose scientific expertise and interests aligns with yours
Who is eligible for funding?
Please refer to the current funding opportunity, PA-21-071 for a detailed description of eligibility and application requirements. Deadlines, requirements, and funding levels differ by institute and should be reviewed prior to application. ORSD strongly suggests that the grant PI discuss the proposed application with their assigned program officer prior to submission. Questions regarding grant or candidate eligibility can be emailed to orsd@hsph.harvard.edu or discussed with your program officer.
- Eligible grant activity codes, as of January 2022 include:
- DP1, DP2, DP4, DP5, G12, G20, P01, P20, P2C, P40, P41, P50, P51, P60, PM1, PN2, R00, R01, R03, R15, R18, R21, R24, R33, R34, R35, R37, R41, R42, R43, R44, R61, RC1, RC2, RC3, RC4,RF1, RM1, SC1, SC2, SC3, S06, U01, U10, U13, U18, U19, U24, U2C, UL1, U41, U42, U44, U54,U56, UC2, UC4, UF1, UG1, UG3, UH2, UH3, UM1, UM2
- Supplements should support aims within the scope of the original grant.
- Budget requests for supplements must fall within the budget cycle of the existing grant and not extend beyond the grant’s project end date.
- At the Harvard Chan School, PIs can submit an administrative supplement for candidates at the following career levels:
- Graduate students
- Post-doctoral trainees
- Research Scientists
- Research Associates
- Junior faculty
- Candidate must be a citizen, non-citizen national or permanent resident of the United States
- Candidate must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be a member of a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis, as identified in NIH Guide Number NOT-OD-20-031.
- Self-identify as an individual with a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act.
- Be from a disadvantaged background as defined in NIH Guide Number NOT-OD-20-031 (must meet two or more criteria)
- Investigators and trainees already supported on research grants (especially the parent grant) are not typically eligible.
- Trainees supported by an Institutional NRSA may not be transferred to supplemental support before completing their appointed period of training.
I am a PI of a research grant at the Harvard Chan School and am interesting in adding a qualified candidate to our research team. How do I get started on applying for a diversity supplement?
- Review the funding announcement and institution-specific guidance for eligibility and application requirements to make sure a diversity supplement is a good fit for your funded grant
- Pair up with a candidate: you may have a qualified individual in mind, or are interested in being matched with a candidate by ORSD
- Contact your program officer and to discuss your supplement proposal
- Work with your assigned grant manager to complete and submit your application. Ask ORSD for resources that can help support your application!
I am a qualified student, postdoc, research associate, research scientist, or junior investigator at the Harvard Chan School. How do I apply as a diversity supplement candidate?
- Review the funding announcement and institution-specific guidance for eligibility and application requirements to make sure a diversity supplement is a good fit your career goals and that you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Pair up with a PI: you may have a qualified, funded grant in mind, or are interested in being matched to a project by ORSD.
- Work with the PI to contact their program officer to discuss your supplement proposal and confirm eligibility.
- Work with your assigned grant manager to complete and submit your application. Ask ORSD for resources that can help support your application!
What services does ORSD offer that can assist with my application?
ORSD can assist with….
- Matching your funded grant with a qualified candidate
- Matching you, the candidate, with an existing project that aligns with your interests and research goals
- Support with proposal review: ORSD can assist with coordinating editing services, review, and other proposal development assistance
- OSRD Research Resource Portal: posted templates of non-disciplinary components of grant narrative; sample Letters of Support/Commitment
