NIH has issued a Request for Information (RFI): Inviting Feedback on the Framework for the NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research FY 2026 to FY 2030. The feedback collected will help shape the framework of the ensuing NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research for Fiscal Years 2026 to 2030.
The NIH Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) hosted a series of community roundtable discussions and a town hall throughout fall 2024 to solicit input on disability health research priorities. DPCPSI developed a draft framework for the strategic plan and seeks feedback from people with disabilities and anyone who provides care, research, advocacy, policy, or other activities that affect disability services. Interested and eligible people with disabilities should also review Resources for Researchers with Disabilities to learn how they can make valuable contributions to the NIH research enterprise in various research-related roles.
Cross-Cutting Themes and Strategic Goals
The draft framework for the strategic plan comprises four cross-cutting themes and four strategic goals.
Themes
- Public Participation and Community Engagement
- Accessibility
- Complexity and Heterogeneity
- Dynamics of Disability
Goals
Goal #1: Support high-quality, innovative, and impactful research to improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities of all ages.
Goal #2: Build and sustain meaningful internal and external partnerships to promote disability health research.
Goal #3: Promote engagement and inclusion of people with disabilities in the biomedical and behavioral research ecosystem.
Goal #4: Develop a highly skilled scientific workforce that includes researchers with disabilities and researchers trained in disability health research.
Feedback Needed
All comments are welcome, but NIH specifically requests your input and feedback on the following:
- The appropriateness of the draft framework’s cross-cutting themes and additional themes to consider.
- The appropriateness of the draft framework’s strategic goals and potential opportunities, including potential benefits, drawbacks, or challenges, and additional goals or opportunities to consider.
- Suggestions for indicators to measure progress on the draft strategic goals.
- Suggestions for ways NIH can share its strategic plan and communicate progress, success, and impact.
How to Submit a Response
Submit your responses using the online RFI feedback form. Alternatively, you may submit responses and attachments via email to disabilityresearch@nih.gov, along with any inquiries. Include “RFI Response” in the subject line of the email.
All responses must be received before midnight Eastern Time on March 12, 2025.
Responses to this RFI are voluntary and may be submitted anonymously. Do not include any personally identifiable information or any information that you do not wish to make public. Proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should not be included in your response. NIH will use the information submitted in response to this RFI at its discretion.