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Pages 1-14

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From page 1...
... Academic biomedical researchers are therefore spending long periods of time at the beginning of their careers unable to set their own research directions or establish their independence. This has led to a fear that promising prospective scientists will choose not to pursue a career in academic biomedical research and, instead, opt for career paths that provide a greater chance for independence.
From page 2...
... Lengthy training periods and the requirement for preliminary data in grant proposals are the result of NIH policies and available funding. However, one cannot isolate the role of NIH from that of other stakeholder groups -- including universities, professional societies, public and private funding agencies, academic administrators, senior faculty, junior faculty, staff scientists, and postdoctoral scientists.
From page 3...
... While the committee appreci 1R01 research project grants are the predominant mechanism for individual investigator research funding from NIH. As defined by the NIH, "the Research Project (R01)
From page 4...
... The discussion that follows proceeds by career stage, looking first to the postdoctoral training period, followed by the transition to the first independent position, and finally the establishment of stable research programs. The 14 recommendations are numbered according to the chapters in which they appear.
From page 5...
... , stifling the ability of postdoctoral researchers to pursue independent research. Postdoctoral scientists would be better served if they received their own support through individual awards -- such as the NRSAs and career development K awards -- or through training grants that at least diminish the employment relationship between postdoc and PI.
From page 6...
... But the viewpoint of this committee is that postdocs are not simply workers, but scholars with their own ability to contribute. This committee's focus on the quality of biomedical research training to foster independence causes it to conclude that funding of postdocs through individual awards and training grants is preferable to funding on PI research awards.
From page 7...
... Provide Independent Funding In order to further promote increasing independence for postdoctoral scientists, the NIH should create targeted mechanisms that allow postdoctoral scholars to receive individual research grants. They would conduct this research in the laboratory of an identified mentor.
From page 8...
... Institutions and programs should provide a variety of opportunities offering training and experience in different skill sets. 4.6 Postdoctoral scientists should receive improved career advising, mentoring, and skills training.
From page 9...
... Career Transition Research Grants A small number of career transition awards offered by private foundations have shown success in facilitating the transition to independence for new investigators. They provide opportunities for independent research while still in postdoctoral positions, facilitate movement into career positions, provide stable resources and protected time to establish an independent laboratory, and enhance the ability to pursue novel research and collect preliminary data for future grant proposals.
From page 10...
... ESTABLISHING STABLE RESEARCH PROGRAMS American science would benefit from a system that encourages new investigators to try out new ideas and approaches as they begin their independent research careers. The present system of research support does just the opposite.
From page 11...
... However, they find it difficult to receive independent support because they are competing with larger research groups. Although some biomedical research has already entered an era of big science, there is still much to be gained from maintaining a broad platform of independent research projects, which has been the hallmark of NIH's success.
From page 12...
... This safety net should be a joint responsibil ity of the NIH and the host institution: NIH should expand the Sh annon Award to provide merit-based bridge awards for those with out other sources of support and host institutions should offer multi-year renewable contracts to its staff scientists that guarantee space, salary, and minimal research support even in the absence of external funding. The NIH James A
From page 13...
... 5.2 NIH should develop enhanced data collection systems on staff scientists and other non-tenure-track researchers to include all NIH supported researchers, regardless of specific funding mechanism. This will allow NIH to track the effectiveness of its programs and thereby make more informed programmatic decisions.
From page 14...
... Such data are likely to inform NIH leadership about the relative successes of various funding mechanisms and programs in fostering independence. The committee suggests that the NIH work with other federal agencies and private sector funders that support researchers to enable cross-agency data collection.


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