Examining trends in the diversity of the U.S. National Institutes of Health participating and funded workforce

Abstract

Here, we use recent U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) data to document trends in the NIH-funded workforce over time. Consistent with previous studies that were initiated by NIH, we find that the number of scientists funded on competing R01-equivalent (R01 Eq.) and research project grants (RPGs) increased 2-5% per year between 2009 and 2016. Primary beneficiaries of this growth were experienced investigators (Exp), whereas the share of funding awarded to early-stage investigators (ESIs) and new investigators (NIs) declined. The decline occurred even after NIH instituted the New and Early-Stage Investigator policy in 2009. When we evaluate the investigator pool, we find that women and racial and ethnic minorities represent a higher percentage of NIs and ESIs relative to Exp. Thus, trends of diminishing support for NIs and ESIs may negatively impact the diversity of the current and future biomedical research workforce. We find some recent gains among women and Hispanics as part of the applicant and awardee pool for both R01 Eq. and RPGs, but significant, large gaps persist among nationally underrepresented racial minorities. Our findings suggest a need to prioritize investments and support of ESIs and NIs, groups in which women and racial and ethnic minorities represent a larger proportion of the applicant pool, to enhance diversity in the NIH-funded workforce.-Nikaj, S., Roychowdhury, D., Lund, P. K., Matthews, M., Pearson, K. Examining trends in the diversity of the U.S. National Institutes of Health participating and funded workforce.

Diversification in the medical sciences fuels growth of physician-scientists

“…The funding rate for ESIs did mirror the funding rate for experienced investigators from 2009 to 2016, with NI training tracking about 7% below both (14). The average age of the investigator to receive the first R01 is increased from 39 years in 1990 to 44.2 years in 2016 and to receive a second R01 is increased from 43 years to 46.9 years (14). The age trend was not different between men and women; however, underrepresented minorities tended to be slightly older than majority awardees (14).…”

“…The number of R01 awards to male and female dermatology faculty was steady from 2009 to 2014; however, men held 73% of all grants compared to 27% for women (13). In evaluation of trends from 2009 to 2016 for NIH funding, the number of funded scientists increased 2% to 5% per year, with a higher proportion of awards going to experienced investigators (increasing from 52% in 2009 to 60% in 2016) and a smaller proportion to early stage investigators (ESIs, those within the time frame from training, dropping from 18.8% to 16.2%) and new investigators (NIs, those receiving first RPG but not ESIs, dropping from 28.4% to 23.1%) (14). The overall success rate for 24,545 grant applicants in 2016 was 5,577 awards or 23% of applicants (14).…”

“…In evaluation of trends from 2009 to 2016 for NIH funding, the number of funded scientists increased 2% to 5% per year, with a higher proportion of awards going to experienced investigators (increasing from 52% in 2009 to 60% in 2016) and a smaller proportion to early stage investigators (ESIs, those within the time frame from training, dropping from 18.8% to 16.2%) and new investigators (NIs, those receiving first RPG but not ESIs, dropping from 28.4% to 23.1%) (14). The overall success rate for 24,545 grant applicants in 2016 was 5,577 awards or 23% of applicants (14). The funding rate for ESIs did mirror the funding rate for experienced investigators from 2009 to 2016, with NI training tracking about 7% below both (14).…”

“…The overall success rate for 24,545 grant applicants in 2016 was 5,577 awards or 23% of applicants (14). The funding rate for ESIs did mirror the funding rate for experienced investigators from 2009 to 2016, with NI training tracking about 7% below both (14). The average age of the investigator to receive the first R01 is increased from 39 years in 1990 to 44.2 years in 2016 and to receive a second R01 is increased from 43 years to 46.9 years (14).…”

“…The average age of the investigator to receive the first R01 is increased from 39 years in 1990 to 44.2 years in 2016 and to receive a second R01 is increased from 43 years to 46.9 years (14). The age trend was not different between men and women; however, underrepresented minorities tended to be slightly older than majority awardees (14). Overall, there was no major difference in the RPG funding rate between men and women from 2002 to 2016; however, women only make up 29% of the applicants and only one-quarter of the awardees (14).…”