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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at NEI

Dr. Chiang

NEI Director Michael F. Chiang, M.D.

NEI’s ability to remain at the forefront of vision research and ensure that scientific discoveries truly benefit all depends on a workforce with diverse skill sets, viewpoints, and backgrounds. NEI is committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent this full breadth of talent from contributing to the biomedical research enterprise. @NEIDirector 

The COVID pandemic has brought to the forefront the impact of inequity on the prevention and treatment of disease among vulnerable people. This reality underscores the need to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in all stages of research, from discoveries in the lab to clinical trials to effective treatments in the clinic. 

In the NEI workforce, we see the need to broaden our recruitment efforts and create clearer paths for all employees seeking professional development, opportunities for advancement, and satisfying careers. 

With the goal of cultivating a diverse workforce, we have started by examining the current racial and ethnic makeup of NEI. This is part of a broader NIH effort that seeks to strengthen DEIA throughout the agency. 

In support of the NIH Unite Initiative, the NIH Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) released NIH workforce demographic data, including for NEI, for the end of FY 2021. The data includes a high-level FTE employee workforce snapshot by race and ethnicity, sex, and disability status. Contractors, fellows, trainees, and Commissioned Corps are not included. The workforce data will be updated and posted annually to help guide NIH’s EDI efforts. 

NIH’s Commitment to DEIA Efforts

NIH is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) at NIH and at the institutions we fund. The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) leads NIH’s DEIA efforts for all NIH staff, including racial and ethnic groups, women, sexual and gender minorities, and people with disabilities in all occupations. The Office of Human Resources (OHR) works closely with EDI on policies to create a civil workplace and address allegations of harassment. The Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity (COSWD) plays a key role in ensuring that all groups are represented in the NIH scientific workforce. COSWD also leads NIH efforts in the science of scientific workforce diversity. In recent years, NIH has bolstered its efforts to address harassment through the NIH Civil Program and has launched the UNITE initiative to tackle structural racism. In coordination with the NIH Institutes, Centers and Offices, and under the leadership of EDI, COSWD and OHR, the NIH Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives is currently developing an NIH DEIA Strategic Plan. 

Last updated: September 15, 2022