HISTEP students working in the lab beside one of their postdoc mentors (in blue).
NIH recognizes diversity as an essential element for advancing the global biomedical research community. In an effort to support this mission and reflect this priority, NIAID works to develop, support, and promote diverse and inclusive training opportunities where all scientists feel valued and empowered to participate in the NIH mission of improving human health though scientific discovery.
NIAID strives to promote diversity at every stage of biomedical research training, from high school to postdoctoral trainees. The primary goal is to engage and recruit trainees from populations underrepresented in biomedical research — which includes individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, those with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds — as defined by Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity. The training office also works to develop new opportunities that will enhance recruiting and retention, and to generate diversity awareness across the institute.
For more information, refer to the following:
- Scientific Workforce Diversity (SWD) Office
- Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Diversity in Extramural Programs
Intramural NIAID Research Opportunities (INRO)
The NIAID Office of Research Training and Development (ORTD) promotes diversity through a variety of training programs and highly encourages the participation of individuals from populations underrepresented in the biomedical sciences.
Intramural NIAID Research Opportunities (INRO) provides outstanding candidates with the opportunity to engage with leading experts in allergic, immunologic, and infectious diseases, and to learn more about the exciting research being conducted at NIAID. Selected candidates selected will meet with NIAID principal investigators and potentially be offered a postbaccalaureate (postbac) position in an NIAID laboratory. Through INRO, the NIAID Office of Research Training & Development sponsors postbac trainees from U.S. populations underrepresented in the biomedical sciences and those dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion.
See Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity and the Diversity Statement from the Scientific Workforce Diversity (SWD) Office's.
If your interests do not align with the biomedical research areas of NIAID, NIH offers other training programs for which you may be eligible. A selection of featured, NIH-wide diversity training programs are listed below and for information on all NIH training programs, visit the Office of Intramural Training and Education website.
Why Train at NIAID?
Dr. Nyangahu pictured in the lab (left) and with Dr. Francis Collins (right).
“I am proud to be working in NIAID /LMIV with a team of ambitious staff to continue to deliver excellent results. I look forward to learning from the wealth of experience here and I am thankful for the support and friendship to date that continues to play an integral role in my research work.” — Bartholomew Ondigo Nyangahu, Ph.D., Postdoc, - Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology. Read more about Dr. Nyangahu’s experience at NIAID.
Other NIH Programs
High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)
Offers students who attend high schools with a large population of financially disadvantaged students the chance to learn about science, biomedical research, and science careers at NIH.
Amgen Scholars Program at NIH
Gives preference to undergraduates who lack opportunities to carry out independent research during the school year due, for example, to family responsibilities, economic exigencies, or inability of their institutions to provide such opportunities.
Undergraduate Student Scholarship (UGSP)
Offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. The program offers scholarship support, paid research training at NIH during the summer, and paid employment and training at NIH after graduation.