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From the NIH Director: EEO and Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.

In an email to the workforce earlier this week, Director Francis S. Collins reaffirmed the NIH's commitment to the principles of equal employment opportunity (EEO), diversity, and inclusion. These principles are aimed at making a better employment experience for all NIH employees. Dr. Collins called upon each and every member of the NIH community to join in this important rededication. The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is proud to recommit itself to serving this very purpose by providing all employees with programs and services that are aimed at making NIH the best place to work and discover. We challenge each leader at the NIH to take the time to reaffirm their commitment to these principles with the teams they supervise and to use this as an opportunity to discuss how to become more involved in the civil rights, diversity, and inclusion efforts underway at the NIH.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is greatly committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity (EEO), diversity, and inclusion. We embrace the diversity that our employees bring to the NIH and believe this diversity inspires innovation and elevates unlimited success in pursuing our mission. We further commit ourselves to an inclusive workplace where we welcome and respect the views and perspectives of all employees by recognizing and appreciating their unique skills, talents, and abilities.

It is our policy to provide every individual with an equal opportunity in employment programs and occupational activities across all aspects of personnel operations, which include staffing, employment, education, awards, reorganizations, advancements, and employee retention.

We make every effort to ensure that all employees and all applicants for employment experience employment decisions free from unlawful discrimination based on color, race, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), age, disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, military service, sexual orientation, or reprisal based on prior EEO protected activity.

As the Director of the NIH, I reaffirm the NIH’s commitment to these principles and ask you to join me in this commitment. Together, we all play a part in making the NIH an inclusive workplace and an employer of choice, where all are wanted and treated with dignity and respect as part of our day- to- day service.

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.