Diversity Advisory Council

The Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) is a group of industry leaders who serve as a volunteer resource supporting ACRP’s efforts to increase diversity in the clinical research workforce.

DAC members recommend strategies to recruit and retain outstanding, high-quality clinical research professionals and students from historically underrepresented groups.

Current DAC activities are designed to achieve the following goals:

• Grow the diversity of the clinical research workforce;
• Develop and enrich the existing minority workforce; and
• Enhance organizational effectiveness and engagement on the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

ACRP Guiding Principles for Inclusion, Equity, and Representation: Inclusion, equity, and representation are essential values to the success of ACRP. We are committed to serving equitably.

Access for Students to Clinical Research Training (ASCRT) Scholarship Program: In March 2024, ACRP awarded six $5,000 scholarships to its inaugural group of students from underrepresented communities enrolled in a two-year college, four-year college, or master’s-level program in clinical research. The scholarship’s criteria and selection process were managed by the DAC.

ACRP’s Response to FDA Draft Guidance on Diversity in Clinical Trials: The ACRP Diversity Advisory Council was published in Update, the quarterly magazine of the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI). DAC members—who have extensive day-to-day experience on the realities of running clinical trials—provided their viewpoints on the pathways forward for sites and sponsors. Shared with the permission of FDLI.