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Training across the academy: The impact of R&D funding on graduate students

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  • Graddy-Reed, Alexandra
  • Lanahan, Lauren
  • D'Agostino, Jesse

Abstract

This paper measures the impact of external R&D funding on the career trajectory and research productivity of graduate students across the divisions of life sciences, math & physical sciences, engineering, and social sciences & psychology. We contribute to the understanding of the production of science by examining the training regimen for graduate students. We exploit variation between 3,678 awardees and honorable mentions of the U.S. National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program. We find consistent evidence that the award increases degree completion, placement in a post-doctoral or academic research position, research productivity and impact, and network size. We further explore the role of the graduate advisor in this training process and find the award does not disrupt the apprenticeship model, but instead, increases the student's interaction with their advisor.

Suggested Citation

  • Graddy-Reed, Alexandra & Lanahan, Lauren & D'Agostino, Jesse, 2021. "Training across the academy: The impact of R&D funding on graduate students," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(5).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:50:y:2021:i:5:s0048733321000287
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2021.104224
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    R&D; Funding; Higher education; Science & engineering; Graduate students;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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