National Institutes on Health: Request for Comments on Strategic Plan for Research on Health and Well-Being of Sexual and Gender Minorities

Goal 1: Expand the Knowledge Base of SGM Health and Well-being Through NIH-Supported Research.

• Objective 1: Encourage extramural and intramural investigators to conduct SGM research in priority areas, including those identified in the IOM report and in NIH portfolio analyses.
• Objective 2: Promote the development and implementation of appropriate measures, methods, and resources to facilitate research relevant to SGM populations.
• Objective 3: Encourage researchers to incorporate SGM-relevant scientific questions into extramural and intramural projects, programs, and initiatives.

Goal 2: Remove Barriers to Planning, Conducting, and Reporting NIH-Supported Research about SGM Health and Well-being.

• Objective 1: Establish an NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Research office to coordinate and integrate SGM research activities across NIH, collaborate with other Federal agencies, and develop and implement a comprehensive outreach plan to engage SGM health researchers, experts, advocates, and the general public.
• Objective 2: Develop and implement activities to provide extramural and intramural researchers interested in SGM-relevant research topics with the skill set necessary to compete successfully for NIH funding.
• Objective 3: Increase expertise in sexual and gender minority health research within and across existing NIH review panels and study sections, as needed.
• Objective 4: Encourage cultural competency training opportunities on the specific characteristics of SGM-specific research to NIH-funded extramural and intramural clinical research trainees and researchers.

Goal 3: Strengthen the Community of Researchers and Scholars Who Conduct Research Relevant to SGM Health and Well-being.

• Objective 1: Establish an NIH SGM Health Research Working Group of the NIH Council of Councils, to provide subject matter expertise and strategic perspective for extramural and intramural NIH- funded SGM health research and related efforts.
• Objective 2: Provide resources for training on and about SGM-relevant research considerations as part of the professional training opportunities and tools for extramural and intramural NIH staff.

Goal 4: Evaluate Progress on Advancing SGM Research.

1. Objective 1: Monitor and evaluate progress in advancing SGM health research using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
2. Objective 2: In 2018, convene a panel of SGM health research experts to review NIH’s mid-course progress on the Strategic Plan.