NIMHD Health Disparities Research Institute
2024 NIMHD Early Career Investigator Award
Jorge A. Rodriguez, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
This award recognizes Dr. Rodriguez for his significant impact on minority health and health disparities research. Learn more
HDRI 2025 dates will be announced in late December.
NIMHD’s Health Disparities Research Institute (HDRI) supports the career development of promising early-career minority health and health disparities research scientists, and stimulates research in the disciplines supported by health disparities science. Applications will only be accepted from individuals who meet NIH’s early-stage investigator (ESI) eligibility criteria.
For more information on how to prepare an HDRI application view the eligibility/requirements below and the frequently asked questions:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Program Content
The HDRI features lectures on minority health and health disparities research, small group discussions, mock grant review, and seminars. Program participants will have the opportunity to meet with NIH scientific staff engaged in related health disparities research across the various NIH Institutes and Centers.
Lecture and seminar topics focus on the etiology of health disparities, research design, methods and measurement, and intervention and implementation research. Participants will receive consultation on developing a research interest into an application—R21, R01, F or K award—and preparing research strategies and methodologies for proposed studies.
Eligibility/Requirements
At the time of application, interested parties must fulfill all 4 of the criteria below:
- Be an early-stage investigator (ESI) who has completed their terminal degree or post-graduate clinical training within the past 10 years.
- Hold a terminal research degree such as a Ph.D., M.D./D.O., Sc.D., Dr.P.H., Dr.N.P., Pharm.D., Psy.D., D.D.S./D.M.D. or equivalent doctoral research degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution
- Hold one of the following positions currently:
- 2nd or 3rd year postdoctoral fellowship, preparing to transition to independent career stage
- Assistant professor
- Associate professor
- Or comparable research position
- Planning to submit an F, K, R21, or R01 grant to NIH within the next 12 months
Individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. HDRI supports early-stage investigators who have experienced critical life events, who seek to change research direction or re-enter science, or who are transitioning to a research career focus. Individuals from RCMI and Endowment Institutions as well as Tribal Epidemiology Centers are encouraged to apply.
Neither previous participants of the HDRI or the Translational Health Disparities Course, nor NIH or HHS staff are eligible to apply.
Admission is competitive and daily attendance is mandatory regardless of other professional commitments.
Selection Criteria
Participants will be selected based on several factors including the applicant’s research accomplishments, research interests, and potential for implementing the knowledge gained during the HDRI into their research program.
Priority will be given to research accomplishments and interest factors that:
- Address multiple domains and multiple levels of influence on the experience of disparities. For further information please see the NIMHD Research Framework and the special issue of the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) addressing NIMHD Science Visioning.
- Focus on NIH-designated U.S. populations affected by health disparities.
- Clearly demonstrate that they plan to submit an NIH grant application within one year of attending the HDRI.
The following materials must be submitted as part of the online application package:
- An NIH Biosketch that includes professional and research experience, educational and career achievements and a record of peer-reviewed publications (first or co-authored).
- A personal statement outlining career goals, reasons for participating in the program, and plans for obtaining NIH funding. If applicable include justification for inclusion due to change in career direction or reentry into science.
- An NIH Specific Aims page that details the scientific premise/background, aims/hypotheses, and proposed methodology that will form the basis of a future NIH grant submission.
- Two letters of reference/recommendation documenting support for the candidate and the future NIH grant submission.
Cost
There is no tuition cost for participating in the HDRI.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted via the HDRI application portal by the due date; emailed applications will not be accepted. Applicants are encouraged to apply before the deadline; late submissions will not be accepted.
- HDRI application portal opens: Thursday, February 8, 2024
- HDRI application portal closes: Thursday, March 14, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET.
- HDRI acceptance notifications sent by email: By early June 2024
- NIMHD Health Disparities Research Institute: August 5 – 9, 2024
Individuals who need reasonable accommodation to participate should contact Edgar Dews (phone: 301-402-1366) at least five business days before the event.
Still have questions? Email HDRI@nih.gov
Page updated July 30, 2024
