FDA Encourages Research to Promote Diversity in the Tobacco Regulatory Science Workforce
April 5, 2024
On April 1, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a Notice of Information encouraging the submission of research supplements to promote diversity in the tobacco regulatory science workforce. The opportunity is available to Program Directors/Principal Investigators who are conducting tobacco regulatory research as part of the Tobacco Regulatory Science Program (TRSP), an interagency partnership between the NIH and the FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP).
The funds are available for administrative supplements to enhance the tobacco regulatory research workforce by recruiting, mentoring, and supporting high school, undergraduate and graduate/clinical students, post baccalaureate and post-Masters individuals, postdoctoral researchers (including health professionals), and eligible investigators from diverse backgrounds—including those from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related research. This opportunity is also available to support Program Directors/Principal Investigators of research grants who are or become disabled and need additional support to accommodate their disability to continue to work on the research project.
Applicants are encouraged to submit research supplements to promote diversity in tobacco regulatory science through “PA-23-189: Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed).”
Applications are due May 15, 2024. However, Institute and Center specific application due dates prior to May 15, 2024, supersede this date.
Awards under this supplement will be administered by NIH using funds made available through FDA CTP and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Research results from these awards are expected to generate findings and data that are directly relevant in informing the FDA’s regulation of the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products.
In December 2023, CTP released a new 5-year strategic plan, which outlines the center’s programmatic and workforce initiatives for the next five years, including health equity and diversity as one of four cross-cutting themes. The dedication of funds to promote diversity in the tobacco regulatory science workforce reflects the Center’s ongoing commitment to advancing health equity as part of the new strategic plan.