Assessment of Climate at Institutions (ACt) Award (RC2 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Assessment of Climate at Institutions (ACt) Award (RC2 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a grant provided under a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The grant aims to fund studies assessing the inherent climate and diversity within institutions. These studies will use vetted survey tools to measure various aspects of institutional culture such as attitudes, perceptions, concerns, and experiences related to things like institutional racism, bias, inequities, and micro-aggressions.

An important dimension of these studies is to gauge the institutions' processes concerning the recruitment, hiring, retaining, and promotions of faculty. The grant especially focuses on understanding these processes for groups that are underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research. The intent is to ascertain the existence and extent of disparity, if any, and inform future action plans to eliminate them.

Based on the findings of these self-studies, institutions will then be expected to formulate concrete action plans to drive positive change. The ultimate objective is to embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) firmly into the institutional culture. These plans should detail measures to amend any identified gaps or biases in the recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement of faculty. The idea is not just to enhance representation and diversity but to bring about an overall shift in the institutional culture towards full inclusivity.