Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research for
High School Students

This supplement enables principal investigators with eligible NHLBI research grants/contracts to include high school students in their projects. Priority is given to applications requesting support for individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Nationally, underrepresented groups in biomedical research careers include but are not limited to African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

The research activity proposed for the student must be part of the approved research for the parent grant or contract. The student should be encouraged to participate in ongoing team discussions of research findings and directions.

The purpose of this program is to provide high school students with an opportunity to obtain a meaningful experience in various aspects of health-related research to stimulate their interest in careers in biomedical, behavioral, biometric, clinical, nursing and social sciences. Students are expected to devote sufficient effort to the research project and related activities during the period of support to gain insight into the process of scientific discovery. Support for at least three months is encouraged during any one year. Principal Investigators are encouraged to seek high school students who will devote at least two years to this program (i.e., equivalent to two three-month, full-time periods).

More than one high school research supplements can be awarded per research grant, subproject of a program project grant (P01), or contract.

Research Supplements to Promote Diversity Web links:

Program Announcement (PA-08-190) for Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research

For additional information specific to the NHLBI, please see the
NHLBI Guidelines for the Applicant-Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research

The NHLBI Website also lists training programs under the category Request for Applications/Proposals & Program
Announcements with the application receipt date.

Who is eligible? All principal investigators at U.S. institutions with eligible NHLBI research grants or contracts may apply. Grants/contracts with adequate time for a summer research experience or one year remaining at the time of award are eligible to apply for high school students.

The opportunities? Research training

Duration of support? At least three months is encouraged during any one year. This may include a mixture of full-time summer experience and part-time experience during the school year.

Where? At the principal investigator's institution.

Applications due? Any time, however, applications should arrive at least three months before the requested start date, to allow time for review.

Note: Applications requesting support by the end of the fiscal year have an early June receipt date. Please check the Guidelines.

Stipend: The salary for a high school student, whether full or part time, should be consistent with the institutional salary policies. Institutional salary rates for high school students, which exceed the hourly minimum wage, must be justified. An additional amount of $1,000 per year may be requested for supplies and travel to scientific meetings, home, school, and/or research site. Equipment may not be purchased with these funds.

Reasonable Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities: As a part of this award, funds may be requested to make changes or adjustments in the research setting that will make it possible for an otherwise qualified employee with a disability to perform the essential functions associated with his/her role on the project. The accommodations requested under this program must be DIRECTLY related to the performance of the proposed role on the research project and must be appropriate to the disabilities of the individual.

How to apply: Principal investigators should contact the NHLBI program administrator who administers the parent grant/ contract or:

Nara Gavini, Ph.D.
Office of Research Training and Minority Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 9184, MSC 7913
Bethesda, MD 20892-7913
Phone: (301) 451-5081
Fax: (301) 480-0862
Email: gavininn@nhlbi.nih.gov

Revised November 2011