We are pleased to announce the seventh round of funding for the Ritu Banga Healthcare Disparities Research Awards. The awards will support excellence in research to improve the health of women and underrepresented minorities and/or to reduce health disparities in healthcare systems and in clinical settings, either locally or globally. Research into improving the diversity and gender balance of the biomedical workforce will also be supported, as lack of a representative workforce can be linked to health disparities, and we must move the needle and better confront inequality.
The Ritu Banga Healthcare Disparities Research Awards are designed to further Weill Cornell Medicine’s goal of becoming a national leader in advancing diversity, inclusion, and gender equity within academic medicine. We seek proposals for basic, translational, clinical, informatics, or outcomes research that addresses health disparity areas including, but not limited to: race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, differing standards of healthcare, insurance status, age, geography, sexual orientation, and cultural beliefs. Projects that enhance the diversity pipeline either through research or the inclusion of diverse personnel are encouraged.
We have a particular interest in proposals that have the potential for short term impact in the target population (within 5 years), collaborative projects that pair fundamental science and clinical investigators on a disease or condition that directly impacts underrepresented or marginalized groups, and projects with potential for direct clinical impact.
The Ritu Banga Healthcare Disparities Research Awards will provide funding for one year and will be available at two levels:
- Faculty - $50,000 each
- Fellows and Postdoctoral Associates - $50,000 each
Favor will be given to applicants where departmental commitment to retention/promotion is given. Pairing with more senior faculty members to provide mentorship/guidance will be permitted; however, the grant must be to the junior member and a clear indication of how the project will enhance the development of an independent career for the more junior member will be required. A salary cap will be imposed on all project budgets; the funds allocated to the PI’s salary and fringe benefits may not exceed 25 percent of the total budget.
Applications are due on Thursday, December 14, 2023, and will be evaluated by a scientific review committee through the Office of the Research Dean.
For eligibility criteria and more information on how to apply, please see the attached Request for Proposals. If you have additional questions, please email ritubangaquestions@med.cornell.edu.