WASHINGTON — The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are partnering with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to administer a new funding opportunity that aims to recognize and further the leadership and scientific accomplishments of excellent biomedical researchers who — through their outreach, mentoring, and teaching — have a record of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in their scientific fields.

The Science Diversity Leadership (SDL) program will support projects led by outstanding early- to mid-career faculty at U.S. universities, medical schools, and nonprofit research institutes who advance research and act as mentors, sponsors, and role models for underrepresented groups in biomedical science.

Each grant recipient will be awarded a total of $1.15 million over five years, with the first two cohorts of grantees selected in 2022 and 2023. Investigators leading the grantees’ projects will use funds to support research programs and outreach, mentoring, and teaching activities. In addition, CZI will connect project leads with national and international scientific leaders through convening activities.

The National Academies will collaborate with CZI to administer the application process and convene experts to review the applications.

“To increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the biomedical sciences, we must do everything possible to attract, retain, and nurture top talent at our colleges and universities,” said National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt. “We are pleased to partner with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative on this effort, which will recognize and encourage faculty who make mentorship and stewardship a top priority in their academic programs.”

“Through this new partnership with the National Academies, we hope to increase visibility and support for faculty of color in biomedicine, including Black, Latina/o/x, and Indigenous faculty, so they can continue to do some of the best science and mentor tomorrow’s leaders,” said CZI Co-Founders and Co-CEOs Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg. “Put simply — supporting Black, Latina/o/x, and Indigenous researchers advances biomedicine and broadens the perspectives of the field, grows the credibility of science within impacted communities, and builds a solid bench of role models for the next generation of researchers.”

The SDL program will accept applications through 5 p.m. EDT on May 19, 2022. For more information and application instructions, please visit the SDL program website.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.