The Consequences of Unfunded NIH Applications for the Investigator and His Research

摘要

Two research support activities have been analyzed: large program project and center grants, and approved but unfunded research grants. Principal finding of the large grant study was that these programs vary widely and must, therefore, be evaluated individually in relation to their stated objectives. In general, large grant programs appear to be achieving their goals. Some lead the research in their discipline, others are applications oriented, and many succeed in encouraging interdisciplinary research. Approved/unfunded grants do not result in total loss of the proposed research. At least some work eventually is done on slightly more than half of the approved/unfunded applications, but only 22 percent are completed as originally planned. The greatest losses are the time, effort and ideas of able scientists, but there are also material losses such as destroyed or idle equipment, loss of research colonies and loss of jobs for laboratory technicians and aides. Among MDs especially there are many investigators who give up research altogether after failure to receive funding.