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Building a Diverse Scientific Workforce

NIDCD is committed to building and sustaining a diverse research workforce. Explore training and funding opportunities, meet NIDCD Diversity Scholars, and read about diversity initiatives from NIDCD Director Debara L. Tucci, M.D., M.S., M.B.A.

Meet Our Scholars
Two scientists collaborating.
NIDCD Diversity Scholars

In keeping with its goal of enhancing the diversity of the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce, NIDCD has established the NIDCD Diversity Scholars Program. NIDCD commends its scholars for their hard work and accomplishments.

Read Messages from the NIDCD Director

NIDCD stands with NIH against structural racism in biomedical research
A stylized rainbow above the words Ending Structural Racism, the NIH logo, and this URL: nih.gov/ending-structural-racism.
On March 1, 2021, Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Institutes of Health, launched a new initiative, UNITE, to identify actions to address structural racism at NIH, the institutions we support, and anywhere NIH research activities take place, with the overall goal of ending racial inequities across the biomedical research enterprise.
Trans-NIH FIRST program will address faculty diversity and inclusion in biomedical research
Scientists talking in a lab.
The forthcoming trans-NIH Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) program will propose an innovative model to address faculty diversity and inclusion in biomedical research.
Affirming our commitment to inclusive excellence in NIDCD research
NIDCD Logo.
Urgent calls to confront systemic racism in our society are demanding our attention. In June, Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the National Institutes of Health, called upon each of us in the NIH community to “reaffirm our common resolve … to ensure we foster a culture of inclusion, equity, and respect for one another . ...” I write now to affirm the NIDCD’s commitment to inclusive excellence, and our resolve to both embrace and enable the contributions of a diverse scientific workforce.
More Messages

Highlighted NIDCD Initiatives

NIDCD’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan: Commitment to Diversity
Our current strategic plan underscores the importance of fostering a scientific environment that is diverse, respectful, and inclusive. We aim to ensure that all individuals feel valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives in support of NIDCD’s mission areas.

NDCD Advisory Council’s Diversity Working Group
The National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Advisory Council’s Diversity Working Group was commissioned in 2021 to provide recommendations to the institute to enhance its diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts. The council’s Diversity Working Group worked with council members, NIDCD staff, and other stakeholders to produce a 2023 summary report, NIDCD’s Commitment to Scientific Workforce Diversity and Health Disparities Research. (PDF | 214 KB)

NIDCD Speakers Bureau
In 2023, NIDCD launched a speakers bureau, an outreach program designed to inspire the next generation of scientists. Our scientists raise awareness at schools, universities, and community events about research on the normal and disordered processes of hearing and deafness, balance, voice, speech, and language. Speakers cover a variety of topics, including the basic biology of the inner ear sensory system, specific research directions, careers in science, and training programs at NIH.

Editorials on NIDCD's Commitment to Diversity

Leading professional journals have published editorials regarding NIDCD's efforts to build and sustain a diverse research workforce.

Expanding Workforce Diversity and Health Care Equity in Communication Disorders Research: An NIH Institute Director’s Perspective
Journal of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing