Diversity and Inclusion
Much of what NIH seeks in programs in this area is to build awareness of opportunities available to all potential applicants – this includes underrepresented groups as defined by NIH. Consider the strategic difference between broadening awareness of opportunities to increase applicants that expand the diversity of the applicant pool; and increasing trainee representation of diversity.
Building awareness will be a unique mix customized to meet each program but includes a broad variety from which to choose the most relevant and impactful. Examples include: engaging with other organizations (HBCU, community colleges, on-campus offices that support student disabilities, undergraduate summer research programs, student campus offices, local chapters of professional organizations, network expansion with partners working with potential applicants.
Further efforts include faculty mentoring programs and initiatives already underway in relevant departments, programs, campuses.
These efforts can be incorporated into program evaluation to measure effectiveness over the program’s training period; even if not all are successful, they will help inform course corrections and future efforts.
Rutgers University has a strong and articulated commitment to building and supporting a diverse, equitable and inclusive community to support all students at all levels of their education and training in addition to the faculty and staff of the university. Unless otherwise described, these resources are available university-wide.
Rutgers Access and Disability Resources checklist: https://radr.rutgers.edu/resource/accessibility-checklist
Rutgers student wellness resources: https://rutgershealth.org/education-training/student-resources
Classroom inclusiveness training series (earns a competency badge, could be used as a program outcome: badge for Lifelong Learning in Inclusive & Equitable Teaching, badge for Implementation of Inclusive & Equitable Teaching Practices): https://otear.rutgers.edu/workshops/inclusivity
Rutgers University Equity and Inclusion – The Rutgers Office of Equity and Inclusion has the mission to integrate the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of our university.
School of Graduate Studies – The SGS diversity and outreach website.
Rutgers IDEA Innovation Grant Program – The mission of the IDEA innovation grants is to support projects that enable students, faculty, and staff across Rutgers University to take an active role in building an inclusive community.
Rutgers Developing Inclusive Leaders – Inclusive leadership development opportunities aim to enhance understanding of bias and discrimination, emphasize institutional culture’s impact on climate and unit culture, and boost leaders’ confidence in addressing inequity promptly.
Rutgers RWJMS Office of Multicultural Affairs – Established in 1996, the RWJMS (Robert Wood Johnson Medical School) Office of Multicultural Affairs mission and goals are to assist students at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School by preparing them to become competent, compassionate, culturally aware and sensitive physicians in our increasingly diverse society.
Rutgers NJMS Center for Cultural Competency – Cultural Competency” initiatives” at NJMS (New Jersey Medical School) refers to culturally competent training over the entire spectrum of learners including faculty and residents.
NIH Offices of Diversity – NIH diversity offices including individual institute and center diversity pages that offer information and resources
NIH recruitment and retention strategies for underrepresented students
NSF Broadening Participation in STEM – The NSF program to broaden participation in STEM to people of all racial, ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and to persons with disabilities. NSF provides funding for broadening participation projects.