Longitudinal Trends in Gender and National Institutes of Health Grant Funding Awarded in the Field of Orthopedic Surgery from 2010 to 2021
Abstract
Introduction and Objective. Lack of diversity and representation in the medical field is well-documented and particularly relevant to the field of orthopedic surgery. Research funding has a significant impact on the advancement of medical knowledge and groundbreaking treatments. The aim of this study was to explore gender disparities in NIH grant funding awarded in the field of orthopedic surgery. Methods. A retrospective analysis of data obtained from the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool Expenditures and Results (RePORTER) from 2010 to 2021 was conducted. Our sample included principal investigators (PIs) who were awarded NIH grants in orthopedic surgery departments. PI gender, academic rank, and terminal degree was collected from publicly available directories from the academic institution listed for each PI. Mean total NIH funding amount was the primary outcome of this study. Univariate linear regression model was used to determine the relationship between gender and mean NIH funding, with stratification for academic rank, and degree. Analysis was performed for both total NIH and R01 funding. Results. N=1,618. PIs of orthopedic surgery-related research were funded from 2010 to 2021. Females made up 25% of grant recipients for total NIH and R01 grant awards overall. Over the study period, mean total NIH funding for any award type was significantly lower for females ($250,282 vs $284,828, respectively, p=0.0001). No difference in mean R01 funding (p=0.83) was found by gender. There was a significant increase in male PI R01 funding in 2021 compared to 2010 (p=0.001), but no difference was found for females (p=0.13) despite a 255% of female awardees while male PI numbers remained unchanged. Stratified analysis with academic ranks showed that unranked male PIs received higher total NIH funding than unranked females (p=0.0013) and female assistant professors received higher R01 funding (p=0.0223) than male assistant professors. Analyses stratified by academic degree showed that males with PhDs and other degrees were awarded higher amounts than females within the same degree. Conclusions-Implications. When considering all NIH award types, male PIs received higher mean funding. Further research is necessary to assess whether the disparity reported is a function of gender differences in those who applied for NIH grants.
Keywords
Gender disparities, orthopedic surgery, research funding, NIH, R01
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Longitudinal Trends in Gender and National Institutes of Health Grant Funding Awarded in the Field of Orthopedic Surgery from 2010 to 2021
Introduction and Objective. Lack of diversity and representation in the medical field is well-documented and particularly relevant to the field of orthopedic surgery. Research funding has a significant impact on the advancement of medical knowledge and groundbreaking treatments. The aim of this study was to explore gender disparities in NIH grant funding awarded in the field of orthopedic surgery. Methods. A retrospective analysis of data obtained from the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool Expenditures and Results (RePORTER) from 2010 to 2021 was conducted. Our sample included principal investigators (PIs) who were awarded NIH grants in orthopedic surgery departments. PI gender, academic rank, and terminal degree was collected from publicly available directories from the academic institution listed for each PI. Mean total NIH funding amount was the primary outcome of this study. Univariate linear regression model was used to determine the relationship between gender and mean NIH funding, with stratification for academic rank, and degree. Analysis was performed for both total NIH and R01 funding. Results. N=1,618. PIs of orthopedic surgery-related research were funded from 2010 to 2021. Females made up 25% of grant recipients for total NIH and R01 grant awards overall. Over the study period, mean total NIH funding for any award type was significantly lower for females ($250,282 vs $284,828, respectively, p=0.0001). No difference in mean R01 funding (p=0.83) was found by gender. There was a significant increase in male PI R01 funding in 2021 compared to 2010 (p=0.001), but no difference was found for females (p=0.13) despite a 255% of female awardees while male PI numbers remained unchanged. Stratified analysis with academic ranks showed that unranked male PIs received higher total NIH funding than unranked females (p=0.0013) and female assistant professors received higher R01 funding (p=0.0223) than male assistant professors. Analyses stratified by academic degree showed that males with PhDs and other degrees were awarded higher amounts than females within the same degree. Conclusions-Implications. When considering all NIH award types, male PIs received higher mean funding. Further research is necessary to assess whether the disparity reported is a function of gender differences in those who applied for NIH grants.