NIH is committed to promoting the health and well-being of people with disabilities. Through investments in research, training and career development, and resources and infrastructure, NIH seeks to advance disability health research and improve disability inclusion in the biomedical and behavioral research ecosystem. Examples of recent NIH commitments include:
- In December 2022, the Advisory Committee to the Director Working Group on Diversity, Subgroup on Individuals with Disabilities, provided suggestions to the NIH Director regarding how NIH can support the inclusion of people with disabilities in the scientific workforce and in the research enterprise. As a result, from August to November 2023, NIH sought external and internal input on the language of “reducing disability” in the NIH mission statement through a Request for Information (RFI): Inviting Comments and Suggestions on Updating the NIH Mission Statement (NOT-OD-23-163).
- In March 2023, NIH released the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) to articulate NIH’s commitment to embracing, strengthening, and integrating DEIA across all NIH activities to achieve the agency’s mission.
- In September 2023, the Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities for research supported by NIH.
The Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) within the NIH Office of the Director is currently leading the development of the NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research FY26-FY30. This plan will identify scientific themes and develop goals and objectives to advance research activities that promote the health and well-being of people with disabilities.
To develop this plan, DPCPSI is seeking input from all NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices via the newly formed NIH Disability Health Research Coordinating Committee. DPCPSI will also be inviting the broad NIH community and external interested parties to engage throughout the strategic planning process.
For questions or additional information, please email [email protected].