# APA Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID)

> **NIH NIH R25** · ACADEMIC PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATION · 2024 · $143,432

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Minorities comprise 50% of US children, but only 24% of US pediatricians, and underrepresented minorities
(URMs) make up only 11% of pediatricians and 10% of medical-school faculty. Despite this substantial
mismatch, little has been published on research educational programs (REPs) efficacious in recruiting and
retaining diverse individuals pursuing biomedical, behavioral, clinical, or social-science careers. The Academic
Pediatric Association (APA) Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID) is the first such
REP targeting faculty diversity in general academic pediatrics, and funding is requested for another 5 years.
 The RAPID aim is to implement and evaluate an REP with the goal of successful recruitment, retention,
and professional advancement of diverse junior faculty in general academic pediatrics pursuing careers in
NIDDK mission areas. RAPID has several innovative components: 1) small research grants in NIDDK mission
areas; 2) pairing RAPID scholars with national mentors who are accomplished senior investigators and
seasoned mentors; 3) in-person mentoring and networking at an annual meeting at the Pediatric Academic
Societies meeting; 4) an annual career-development and leadership conference; and 5) monthly Scholar
telephone conference calls, to provide intensive mentoring, peer support, peer mentoring, networking, a venue
for presenting research in progress, and opportunities for potential research collaborations. APA has extensive
available educational resources, experience, staff, and facilities, all of which will continue to ensure the
success of RAPID. The first 10 years of RAPID were highly successful, with the program achieving or
exceeding all original aims, including: 1) APA membership diversity significantly increasing; 2) multiple
Scholars obtaining K awards and R01s; 3) Scholars generating multiple publications and presentations at
national conferences; 4) continuing a highly rated annual conference of URM investigators from across the US
spanning the spectrum from residents to mid-level faculty; and 5) convening an annual networking meeting of
Scholars, National Advisory Committee members, and RAPID and APA leadership. RAPID's success as a
model REP also impacted the entire field of pediatrics by prompting new partnerships with the Pediatric
Infectious Diseases Society, American Board of Pediatrics, and American Pediatric Society, all of which have
welcomed or will welcome new RAPID Scholars funded by their organizations.
 If, as anticipated, the hypotheses continue to be confirmed, RAPID will continue to result in: 1) successful
recruitment, retention, and professional advancement of diverse junior faculty researchers; 2) increased
likelihood that RAPID Scholars will present their project findings at a national professional meeting, publish
their project findings, obtain additional research funding, obtain a career-development award, maintain their
APA membership, and highly rat...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10849880
- **Project number:** 5R25DK096944-12
- **Recipient organization:** ACADEMIC PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATION
- **Principal Investigator:** GLENN FLORES
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $143,432
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-09-01 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10849880

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10849880, APA Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID) (5R25DK096944-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10849880. Licensed CC0.

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