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Gender differences in NIH grant funding in neurological surgery
Nicole A Silva1, Samantha Y Cerasiello2, John S Herendeen1
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
Summary
Male neurosurgeons receive significantly more total National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding than female neurosurgeons. However, women at the associate professor level surpass men in NIH funding.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Research Funding
- Academic Medicine
Background:
- Research productivity is crucial for academic neurosurgeons.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding is a key metric for research success.
- Understanding gender disparities in research funding is essential for career equity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate gender differences in NIH funding awarded to faculty in neurological surgery departments.
- To analyze funding trends based on gender, terminal degree, academic rank, publication history, and h-index.
- To identify potential inequities in research grant allocation within neurosurgery.
Main Methods:
- NIH grants awarded to Principal Investigators (PIs) in neurological surgery departments from 2014-2019 were analyzed.
- Data included total funding, funding per grant, academic rank, and publication metrics.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare funding between male and female PIs, with stratification by academic rank.
Main Results:
- Male PIs received 79.4% of total NIH grants, while female PIs received 20.5%.
- Mean total NIH funding was significantly higher for men ($1,796,684) than for women ($1,151,968) (P=0.022).
- At the associate professor level, women received significantly higher mean NIH funding per grant than men (p < 0.005).
Conclusions:
- Male neurosurgeons secure substantially more total NIH funding compared to their female colleagues.
- Gender disparities in NIH funding exist, with notable differences observed across academic ranks.
- An exception to the overall trend was observed at the associate professor level, where female neurosurgeons exceeded male counterparts in NIH funding.
