Federal Policy Changes and Career Stability Among NIH K-Award Recipients

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Health policy
• Research funding

Background:

• Federal policy changes, including research topic restrictions and proposed National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget reductions, may influence career stability perceptions among early-career biomedical researchers.
• Understanding these perceptions is crucial for maintaining a robust scientific workforce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate how NIH K awardees perceive the effects of federal policy on research career stability.
• To assess the impact of federal policy on intentions to pursue independent NIH funding.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online national survey was administered to NIH K award recipients funded between 2019 and 2025.
• Data were collected on self-reported perceptions of federal policy changes, research funding, institutional support, and career intentions.
• Analysis included adjusted odds ratios to identify factors associated with career stability and funding disruptions.

Main Results:

• Nearly all (96%) respondents reported that federal policy changes negatively affected their research career stability.
• 52% felt somewhat less likely and 18% much less likely to continue research compared to a year prior.
• Underrepresented groups and postdoctoral researchers were more likely to report instability and funding disruptions, with 39% of those not yet applying for an R01 reporting a decreased likelihood of doing so.

Conclusions:

• Widespread perceived instability exists among early-career NIH-funded investigators due to federal policy shifts.
• Findings highlight a potential crisis in retaining early-career scientists in biomedical research.
• Policy interventions may be needed to support research career stability and future funding.