# Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID)

> **NIH NIH R25** · ACADEMIC PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATION · 2020 · $141,079

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Minority children will likely outnumber white children by 2018. Unfortunately, pediatric workforce diversity
has failed to keep pace, especially in academia. Minorities comprise 49% of US children, but only 24% of US
pediatricians, and underrepresented minorities (URMs) make up only 11% of pediatricians and 8% of US
medical-school faculty. Despite this substantial mismatch, very little has been published on research
educational programs shown to be efficacious in recruitment and retention of diverse individuals pursuing
careers in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical, or social sciences. The Academic Pediatric Association (APA)
Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID) is the first such research educational program
targeting faculty diversity in general academic pediatrics, and funding is requested for another five years.
 The RAPID aim is to implement and evaluate a research educational program 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 using a model shown to be effective in promoting career development of young
investigators; 2) pairing RAPID scholars with national mentors who are accomplished senior investigators and
seasoned mentors; 3) in-person mentoring and networking at an annual breakfast 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. The APA has
extensive available educational resources, experience, staff, and facilities, all of which will continue to ensure
the success of RAPID. The first five 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 four career-development awards; 3) Scholars generating multiple publications and
presentations at national conferences; 4) establishing a highly rated annual conference of URM investigators
from across the country spanning the spectrum from residents to mid-level faculty; and 5) convening an annual
networking breakfast of Scholars, National Advisory Committee members, and RAPID and APA leadership.
 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,...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9944510
- **Project number:** 5R25DK096944-08
- **Recipient organization:** ACADEMIC PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATION
- **Principal Investigator:** GLENN FLORES
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $141,079
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-09-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9944510

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9944510, Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID) (5R25DK096944-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9944510. Licensed CC0.

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