Overview

The Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) develops and supports opportunities for the recruitment, retention, re-entry and advancement of women in biomedical careers and sponsors programs that support both women and men in women’s health and sex differences research.

ORWH works to increase the cadre of scientists participating in women’s health and sex differences research. To ensure that women’s health research remains at the forefront of the NIH research agenda, ORWH supports mentored career development and NIH intramural training and education programs.

Re-Entry into Biomedical Research Careers

ORWH developed and now cofounds this supplement program to help scientists re-establish careers in biomedical or behavioral science after taking time off for family-related responsibilities.

Mentored Career Development Programs

These programs provide a bridge between clinical training and research independence. The Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) program, a signature ORWH initiative, and the Women's Reproductive Health Research Career Development Program, are two examples.

NIH Working Group on Women in Biomedical Careers

The NIH Working Group on Women in Biomedical Careers was created in 2007 in response to the 2006 National Academies report Beyond Bias and Barriers: Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering. The report found that women face institutional and environmental barriers to advancement at all career stages and called for broad, innovative action from universities, professional societies, and government funding agencies. The Working Group, develops and evaluates policies for recruiting and retaining women scientists at NIH and best practices for sustaining career success.

Support for Intramural Training and Education Programs

ORWH initiatives with the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education help prepare NIH trainees to become biomedical research leaders. ORWH also supports programs developed through the Intramural Program on Research on Women's Health that promote women's health and sex differences research.

Summer Internship Programs for High School and Undergraduate Students

ORWH provides summer internship support for students through its signature Wellesley-in-Washington summer program and through the NIH High School Summer Student program with the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences.

For more information about ORWH's Career Development Programs, contact Joyce Rudick, Director, Programs and Management: rudickj@mail.nih.gov