Towards inclusive funding practices for early career researchers

DE WINDE LOTTE; SARABIPOUR S; CARIGNANO, H.; DAVLA S; ECCLES D; HAINER S; HAIDAR M; ILANGOVAN V; JADAVJI N; KRITSILIGKOU P; LEE T; OLAFDOTTIR F

Journal of Science Policy & Governance

JSPG

Año: 2021

2372-2193

Securing research funding is a challenge faced by most scientists in academicinstitutions worldwide. Funding success rates for all career stages are low, but the burden fallsmost heavily on early career researchers (ECRs). These are young investigators in training andnew principal investigators who have a shorter track record. ECRs are dependent on fundingto establish their academic careers. The low number of career development awards and thelack of sustained research funding result in the loss of ECR talent in academia. Several steps inthe current funding process, from grant conditions to review, play significant roles in thedistribution of funds. Furthermore, there is an imbalance where certain research disciplinesand labs of influential researchers receive more funding. As a group of ECRs with globalrepresentation, we examined funding practices, barriers, and facilitators to the current fundingsystems. We also identified alternatives to the most common funding distribution practices,such as diversifying risk or awarding grants on a partly random basis. Here, we detailrecommendations for funding agencies and grant reviewers to improve ECR funding prospectsworldwide and promote a fairer and more inclusive funding landscape for ECRs.