Johns Hopkins University announced plans to invest at least $5 million over the next five years in the Mosaic Initiative, a program focused on hiring and retaining women and people of color.

“Our aim is to create a mosaic of the best and the brightest faculty across all our schools and in all our disciplines, a mosaic including rising stars interested in becoming part of the intellectual life of this great institution,” provost Kristina M. Johnson said.

This academic year, Johns Hopkins has added 206 more women and 45 more minorities to its full-time faculty of 3,519 than it did four years ago, she said. Even with these additions, women make up only 38 percent of full-time faculty and less than 20 percent of full professors. Minorities continue to be underrepresented on campus, making up only 6 percent of the full-time faculty and less than 4 percent of full professors, Johnson said.

Initially, the Mosaic Initiative will be funded at a minimum of $1 million a year by the offices of president William R. Brody and Johnson, and will be increased as the project gains support from outside contributors. The university’s Society of Black Alumni has already committed to help fund the initiative. Applications for funds to be spent on items such as salary, research support, and laboratory equipment are now being accepted. Departments may make proposals for up to $250,000 to be spent over three years.

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