Training the Scientific Workforce: Does Funding Mechanism Matter?

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Sciences
• Higher Education Policy
• Scientific Workforce Development

Background:

• A National Institutes of Health (NIH) taskforce recommended shifting graduate student funding from research assistantships to traineeships and fellowships.
• This policy change aims to alter the composition and training of future scientists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of NIH funding mechanism changes on graduate enrollment and career pathways.
• To assess potential unintended consequences of favoring traineeships and fellowships over research assistantships.

Main Methods:

• Utilized instrumental variables estimation with survey data from U.S. PhD-granting biomedical science departments.
• Analyzed data from newly-minted PhD graduates regarding their funding sources and subsequent employment.

Main Results:

• Increased NIH-funded traineeships and fellowships significantly boosted total graduate enrollment, particularly for female students.
• PhDs primarily funded by research assistantships were more likely to pursue research-focused jobs compared to those on traineeships or fellowships.

Conclusions:

• While traineeships and fellowships may increase graduate enrollment, they could negatively impact the pipeline of students entering research-intensive careers.
• Current NIH funding policy recommendations may have unintended consequences for the U.S. scientific workforce participation.