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Advancing biomedical science through investments in elite training

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  • Misty L Heggeness
  • Donna K Ginther
  • Maria I Larenas
  • Frances D Carter-Johnson

Abstract

How can governments invest in the public good of science in a way that accelerates advancement and encourages innovation at the frontier of science–all the while acknowledging that investing in science means investing in scientists? The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) program is a research-training program administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that makes such investments. This study examines the impact of NRSA postdoctoral fellowships on subsequent career outcomes using NIH administrative records on applicants for the fellowship from 1996 to 2008. It finds that fellowships increased the probability of receiving subsequent research awards from 4.0 to 6.3 percentage points and of achieving a major independent research award from 2.6 to 4.6 percentage points. The findings demonstrate that federally funded fellowships promote the retention of scientists in the biomedical research workforce.

Suggested Citation

  • Misty L Heggeness & Donna K Ginther & Maria I Larenas & Frances D Carter-Johnson, 2023. "Advancing biomedical science through investments in elite training," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(2), pages 1-23, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0272230
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272230
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Adrienne L Mueller & Addie Schnirel & Sofie Kleppner & Philip Tsao & Nicholas J Leeper, 2024. "Postdoctoral T32 training is correlated with obtaining an academic primarily research faculty position," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(6), pages 1-11, June.

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