A Pathway to Independence for Young Researchers -- NIH Announces New Grants Scheme. (January 28, 2006)

    In 1980 the average age of a PhD investigator winning his or her first NIH R01 research grant was 37. This past year it was 42. How come?

Longer postdocs and fewer new tenure positions at universities are considered to be two of the most important factors in the greying of tenure. Now the director of the NIH, Elias Zerhouni is instituting the Pathway to Independence program. He  wants to award 150 to 200 fellowships a year in the next 6 years, at a total cost of about US$390 (A$519) million. "That's enough to really make a difference," says Howard Hughes Medical Institute president Tom Cech, who chaired the National Academies' National Research Council panel who recommended the scheme. Alyson Reed, executive director of the National Postdoctoral Association, which had also recommended the award's creation, called the announcement "welcome news for the entire postdoctoral community."

The grants begin with up to 2 years of US$90,000 per year for training while the postdoc finishes research with a mentor. Then, assuming the postdoc has gotten a position as an assistant professor, he or she will receive up to US$249,000 a year for as many as 3 years for independent research. In addition the grant will defray overhead costs (indirect costs), which can be as high as 50% at some US universities.  The goal it to bring the investigator to be in a good position to win an NIH R01 grant.

On the basis of population, Australia who has a similar if not even more pronounced greying and diminution of academic scientific researchers, would fund some 10-12 grants.

The five year Federation Fellowships instituted by David Kemp and continued by Dr Nelson as Minister for Education, Science and Training fund established achievers and also require the institutions where the recipients will be housed to "match... at least dollar-for-dollar the Fellows’ salary."

Ian Frazer immediately after receiving his award of Australian of the Year vowed to lobby the government to increase funding for medical research. Perhaps he might consider moving for a program similar to Pathway to Independence would be a worthwhile beginning.