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NIH Extramural Support for New Investigators National Academy of Sciences 16 June 2004 Norka Ruiz Bravo, PhD Deputy Director for Extramural Research National Institutes of Health

All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts,…” Graduate Student Postdoc Faculty Tenured Faculty Faculty/ Admin K-12 College Schoolboy Lover SoldierJustice Spectacles & Pantaloons Infant

The Stage: New investigators compete for ~ a 25% share of the NIH pie 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Competing New Investigators Competing Experienced Investigators Non-Competing Awards

Younger investigators have higher T1 success rates than older investigators

First major independent research support occurs at later age

First faculty appointment occurs at a later age

Activism: what have we done/are doing to make a difference? Self designation of new investigator status  Special treatment at time of review  Special treatment at time of funding decisions Programs targeting new investigators  [New Investigator Research Award (R23)]  [FIRST Award (R29)]  R03  R21  K Awards

What effect have our interventions had?

New investigators have increased use of R21s

Prior support through career (K) awards, R03, R21 confers some advantage in future funding

Number of new investigators entering and leaving the system - pretty steady until doubling

New investigators are entering system at higher rate than experienced are leaving it

The future… Questions to consider:  What is an optimal (or even acceptable) influx/egress rate? How would we determine it? How would we achieve it?  To add additional complexity: How should we recognize the important role played by junior investigators who are not officially PIs but make significant contributions to the science?  Should we broaden definition of new investigator to include R21s? All RPGs? Or is R01 the only acceptable measure of “significant independent” research support?

“And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages.” Graduate Student Postdoc Faculty Tenured Faculty Faculty/ Admin K-12 College Schoolboy Lover SoldierJustice Spectacles & Pantaloons Infant