Abbott Establishes $5 Million Scholarship Program to Boost Research Diversity

Abbott Park, IL – Abbott Laboratories, a global healthcare company, announced the launch of an initiative to increase diversity within clinical research. The newly established Abbott Scholars program will commit $5 million over the next five years, aiming to fund nearly 300 scholarships for students pursuing careers in nursing and medicine.

The program will partner with medical schools at HBCUs and national nursing associations, including Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Meharry Medical College, the National Black Nurses Association, and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.

The initiative stems from a recognized need to broaden participation in clinical trials, which have historically seen a majority of participants as white males. Abbott stated that improving diversity in trials is crucial for understanding how new therapies may benefit a wider range of patients and for addressing health equity gaps.

"Addressing health disparities requires a deeper understanding of how new therapies can benefit an increasingly diverse patient population," said a company representative. The scholarship program seeks to cultivate a more diverse pool of future researchers, including physicians, nurses, and research coordinators, who can lead and participate in clinical trials.

Beyond financial aid, the program intends to provide these future healthcare professionals with additional training and support related to clinical research. Abbott hopes this will help alleviate student debt burdens, enabling graduates to focus on research disciplines that can ultimately benefit their communities.