The American Society of Human Genetics

The American Society of Human Genetics

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has partnered with the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) to create the Human Genetics Scholars Initiative, a multi-year program that will increase and support workforce diversity in the human genetics and genomics research community. The initiative will support up to 40 U.S. trainees and early career scientists from underrepresented backgrounds with mentoring programs, skill building, travel and professional support during a two-year, intensive program. The initiative will also offer a broader community-building and learning program for up to an additional 200 diverse young researchers. Applications to this highly-selective program will be available in late spring 2019. The program is made possible through a founding partnership with ASHG and Color, a population health company. “Workforce diversity is essential and imperative to realizing the promise of the human genome for all,” said Carla Easter, PhD, chief of  NHGRI’s Education and Community Involvement Branch in a press release.  “This initiative will help developing researchers excel in their scientific career tracks and provide support, reinforcement, and enrichment to address the social and economic factors that hinder otherwise promising academic careers.” All participants will engage in informal networking events within the broad human genetics community to promote diversity and create an educational forum for institutions to share best practices in the recruitment, retention, and promotion of diverse research leaders. In addition, participants will take part in educational webinars and chats, as well as events at the ASHG Annual Meeting. It will also provide intensive mentoring, travel, and professional support for a smaller group of scholars selected through a competitive process. “Today’s Human Genetics Scholars will make tomorrow’s novel discoveries, help ensure we are increasing diversity in our research populations, and help close the gap on deep health disparities among underserved populations,” said Dr. Wynshaw-Boris in a press release, “This program is an important start to advancing diversity in human genetics community. We look forward to its success and to realizing the benefits of human genetics for all people.” The Human Genetics Scholars Initiative builds on and contributes to workforce diversity programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), For instance, the initiative draws on strategies from the Neuroscience Scholars Program, funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, as well as the NIH-funded Maximizing Access to Research Careers program.