The Value of Insiders: Evidence from the Effects of NSF Rotators on Early Career Scientists

Abstract

We show that academics with experience in government jobs generate spillovers for their early career colleagues. Our template is the National Science Foundation (NSF) rotation program in which the agency employs academics, called rotators, on loan from their university. Shortly after the rotator's return from the NSF, fresh assistant professors in her department raise almost $200,000 more NSF funding compared to scientists in carefully constructed control groups. This gain doubles their research resources. Consistent with evidence that the mechanism is knowledge transfer from the rotator, the results suggest that access to individuals with insights gained outside academia propels scientific careers.