Preliminary funding evidence and anectodal information are causing a great deal of concern in academic, government and industrial circles that increasing numbers of young people may be discouraged from careers in academic biological and biomedical research because of the difficulty that investigators are having in obtaining funding. Young investigators are critical for the expansion of the fundamental biological knowledge base ranging from ecology to medicine. This knowledge fuels academic, industrial and economic growth. The Commission on Life Sciences of the National Research Council proposes to examine the funding issue by convening a committee of experts. While it is not the intent of this activity to reinvestigate pipeline issues, the committee will review this subject where relevant to this study. The committee will specifically address current funding mechanisms for young investigators in the biological and biomedical sciences by major federal agencies and private organizations, the current state of funding by these entities, and the major problems and constraints in the funding system. The committee will determine the impact of these issues on the ability to recruit and retain young researchers in academics and will report the details of each point and include recommendations on ways to improve their funding situation in a report. This project is expected to take 15 months, at an estimated cost of $373,410 derived from federal and private sources. An award of $25,000 is recommended.
