“If you have any kind of major weakness in the grant, you will be dinged by the reviewers,” Dr. Bridges explains. “It’s almost to the point that you cannot have any shortcomings in the application at all. You must have everything nailed down or you are not going to score well because it is such a competitive environment.”
Investigators and faculty seeking NIH grants should expect some applications to be rejected. “Almost no one gets a grant now the first time around at the NIH,” Dr. Corry advises. “Our advice to all faculty is that you must continually write grants these days, at least three to four grants a year to the NIH, to the VA, to private groups. You must be continuously focused on writing grants to support your efforts.” He encourages all researchers to scour the NIH website that lists Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and “look for any opportunities that may fall within their particular domains.”
Some research topics may be more favorably viewed by the NIH, such as those dealing with genetics, biomarkers for clinical response, the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) initiative, and other patient-reported outcome projects, according to Dr. Bridges. Research in particular niches that provide collaborative opportunities with other investigators is also seen as a strength, such as the rich database of information at his institution on immunological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoporosis, and gout, and the availability of a unique population—African Americans.
Funding applications for basic science may not score as well in the current economic climate, Dr. Kolasinski says. “We are seeing a trend in recent years for more emphasis on translational work and a heavier emphasis on the bench-to-bedside formula.”
Renewal of training grants has also become more competitive, with significant cutbacks reported for many programs, according to Dr. Elkon. “Many of the top programs have had to go in a couple of times to get training grants refunded,” he notes. “It has been a double blow to departments. We have a hard time convincing fellows to try basic research and then when they do, there are concerns about continued funding from training grants.”
A Career Choice
Encouraging young physician scientists to choose a career in academic medicine and research has become more difficult in a time of budget cutbacks at the NIH. The onerous task of winning funding in a highly competitive application process, coupled with the debt burden following medical school, is prompting would-be researchers to seek more lucrative opportunities elsewhere, such as in private practice or in industry.
