The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States, has secured a nearly $500,000 two-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This grant supports a program aimed at reshaping the prevailing culture within biological societies, specifically addressing adverse effects on early-career researchers from historically excluded populations.
Scientific evidence shows the pivotal role professional societies play in creating an inclusive environment for researchers who are historically excluded from science. FASEB's DRIVE initiative (Driving Culture Change in a Federation of Biological Societies via Cohort-Based Early-Career Leaders) will provide mentorship, support, and leadership training to early-career researchers from historically excluded backgrounds to assist them in engaging in society leadership roles.
“FASEB is committed to working with member societies to promote an inclusive biomedical workforce that will create and sustain opportunities for individuals from historically excluded populations,” said Louis Justement, Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Microbiology.
Justement is the co-principal investigator for the project and Yvette Seger, PhD, FASEB Director of Strategic Scientific Program Advancement, is the principal investigator.
“The federation has elevated these issues to the highest levels in the leadership and has made significant investments to support a range of programs,” Justement added. “As a former president of FASEB, I am honored to be part of a talented team committed to this endeavor for the long term.”
By implementing a federated strategy across multiple societies, DRIVE seeks to broaden its impact, allowing FASEB to influence culture change on a larger scale. DRIVE's three main objectives include assessing the current baseline of policies, practices, and recommendations for inclusion within FASEB's member societies, initiating a cohort-based project for early-career researchers, and establishing an infrastructure for change through identified strategies, resource sharing, and outreach across member societies.
The project aligns with FASEB's commitment to developing initiatives supporting historically excluded populations, helping them navigate institutional barriers, and fostering an inclusive environment within the biological sciences. The NSF grant, awarded under the BIO-LEAPS program, supports projects leveraging professional societies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the biological sciences.
DRIVE is scheduled to launch in the spring, reinforcing FASEB's dedication to advancing health and well-being by promoting research and education in biological and biomedical sciences through collaborative advocacy and service to its 26 scientific member societies with 110,000 members. For more information, visit faseb.org.