The Funding of Young Investigators in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (1994) / Chapter Skim
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3 Extramural Funding of Newly Independent Investigators in Biological Science
3 Extramural Funding of Newly Independent Investigators in Biological Science
Pages 53-72
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From page 53... ...
Most of the federal and nonfederal agencies that support the biological sciences have only a limited commitment to encouraging young investigators. The only grant programs specifically targeting newly independent investigators in the biological sciences are relatively small ones administered by NSE and the Department of Defense (DOD)
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From page 54... ...
In several federal agencies, peer review is less formalized than the standing study-section committees established at NIH. Newly independent investigators generally compete directly with established investigators for funding.
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From page 55... ...
Biological Research 55 Figure ~1 Federal obligations for applied and basic research by major research agencies in the life sciences, 1960-1991.
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From page 56... ...
No special programs have been created for newly independent investigators. At a time when approximately 25% of agricultural scientists are over 50 years old, compared with 20% of all other scientists, and a shortage of agricultural researchers looms, support for plant and domestic-animal research has decreased, and this will continue to decrease the ability of universities to recruit qualified students in these fields.
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From page 57... ...
Equally important, newly independent investigators could look forward to increased success rates and increased support. For example, the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (67)
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From page 58... ...
The report expressed particular concern for the training and funding of the next generation of plant scientists and drew attention to the need to provide the funding necessary to attract and retain the best investigators. Formula-Funding System An additional important source of USDA funding of newly independent investigators in plant and animal sciences is the so-called formula funds.
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From page 59... ...
At most, if not all, stations, formula funds are an important element in startup packages for new staff scientists. A sample of reports from some~20 station directors who replied to an informal survey indicates that an average of about 20% of formula funds is used to support newly independent investigators.
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From page 60... ...
. 2 In this section, data not otherwise attributed were obtained through personal communication with NSF personnel L
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From page 61... ...
NSF estimated that it supplies 95% of the federal funding for research in anthropology at universities and research institutions, 75% in environmental biology, 95% in systematics, 50% in plant biology, 55% in basic social sciences, and 66% in economics (127~. In general, it does not fund health-related research (40,121~.
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From page 62... ...
Although newly independent investigators compete directly with established investigators for research funding, young investigators tend to fare well at NSF. In fact, many young scientists view NSF as the first agency to apply to and, having gained success and experience through NSF, apply to other agencies (113,127~.
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From page 63... ...
However, the NSF-wide success rate does not reflect the extremely low funding rates in specific programs, particularly in BIO. The success rate in BIO has been consistently lower than the overall NSF rate-rates of 25% or less occurred in important biological programs in FY 1993.
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From page 64... ...
The new program was created at the expense of the PYI program, and the PYI program was renamed the NSF Young Investigators Program. In the FY 1992 budget request, BIO also included a $3.8 million setaside for a program to support newly independent investigators.
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From page 65... ...
Radiation biology remains one of DOE's primary research missions, but it has expanded its research agenda to include mammalian genetics, genome organization and function, structural biology, and environmental sciences. Much of the effort is focused on intramural programs at the large DOE National Laboratories at Brookhaven, Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, and Berkeley, although DOE also maintains an external grants program.
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From page 66... ...
With an annual research budget of $2 million, the Army Research Office supports five to 10 new research grants in the biological sciences each year (63,64~. These 3-year grants are funded on a competitive basis, with newly independent investigators competing directly with established scientists.
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From page 67... ...
ONR has the only grant program within DOD that specifically targets newly independent investigators (143,144~. The Young Investigator Program is designed "to identify and support young scientists and engineers who show exceptional promise for doing creative research.
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From page 68... ...
. Like many other federal agencies, NOAA does not keep statistics on the age distribution of its funded investigators, and it does not have a formal program specifically for newly independent investigators.
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From page 69... ...
program or the investi~ator-initiated competitive grants program (84,85~. it, NSCORT proposals are competitively reviewed center grants administered by a local institutional director (85~.
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From page 70... ...
Although newly independent scientists can be hired by FWS, no special programs exist to promote research initiated by newly independent investigators.
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From page 71... ...
There is wide variation among corporations in the magnitude of funding for their research efforts. About 4-5% of total sales is reinvested in agricultural research and development, in contrast with the 7-10% of total sales reinvested in biomedical research and development by all pharmaceutical firms worldwide.
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From page 72... ...
ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS The support available to investigators in biological sciences from academic institutions is similar to that described for biomedical sciences in Chapter 2. Biological scientists are assisted by formula-fund mechanisms, such as the 1887 Hatch Act and the National Sea Grant College Program, and by NURP funds, which are under the control of local institutional directors.
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