Francis Collins: Reflections on being the NIH Director.

For over 12 years, spanning three administrations, Dr. Francis Collins has served as the director of the National Institutes of Health. During that time, he and the NIH launched ambitious programs to spur research in diverse topic areas, with important successes. He has also confronted issues facing science and scientists. Dr. Collins recently stepped down as director. Before his departure, he had a conversation with John Pham, reflecting on his time leading the NIH and sharing his perspectives and his hopes for the NIH and the scientific community moving forward.

Affirming NIH's commitment to addressing structural racism in the biomedical research enterprise.

NIH has acknowledged and committed to ending structural racism. The framework for NIH's approach, summarized here, includes understanding barriers; developing robust health disparities/equity research; improving its internal culture; being transparent and accountable; and changing the extramural ecosystem so that diversity, equity, and inclusion are reflected in funded research and the biomedical workforce.

Revising the a Priori Hypothesis: Systemic Racism Has Penetrated Scientific Funding.

To manifest our sincerest aspirations to "enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability," the US biomedical research enterprise must directly confront the reality of structural racism in scientific funding and the widespread denial of its existence. I believe that moment in American history has, at long last, arrived.