Satisfying and stressful experiences of first-time federal grantees

A survey of 34 first-time federal grantees about the satisfying and stressful experiences related to administration and non-scientific aspects of their projects resulted in four major categories of satisfaction (Personal-Social, Material-Career, Impact on School and University, Clinical) and seven categories of stress (Budget, Personnel, Equipment, Access to subjects, Fatigue, Inadequate administrative and peer support, and the Grant cycle itself). Satisfiers were more enduring and profound than the stressors, and their effects often reached beyond the investigator to the university, clinical site and profession. Useful information for new investigators and doctoral students was identified.