1. The Pathway to Independence: Early
Outcomes of NIH Career Transition Awards
American Evaluation Association
November 13, 2015
Jennifer Sutton and Deepshikha RoyChowdhury

2. Program Background and History Research Questions
Preview
Program Background and History
Research Questions
Data, Methods and Challenges
Characteristics of Applicants and Awardees
Outcomes to Date
Closing Thoughts and Next Steps

3. Program Background and History
Announced in 2006, in response to the “Bridges to Independence” report
Intended to promote earlier transition to faculty positions and lower the average age of new investigators, then 42
Two-year mentored phase, followed by a three-year independent, faculty phase
The only NIH career development award for which non-citizens at U.S. institutions are eligible to apply

4. Program Modifications
In response to recommendations from a blue ribbon panel reviewing the biomedical workforce, NIH made several changes to the program, beginning with applications for 2014:
Gradually increasing the number of awards, to the extent that funds would allow
Reducing eligibility for the program from years of postdoctoral research training to 4, to promote earlier independence

5. What are the characteristics of applicants and awardees?
Research Questions
What are the characteristics of applicants and awardees?
How are awardees’ progressing in their careers?
Is the program fulfilling its goals?

6. Data and Methodology
Primary data source is IMPAC II - NIH’s administrative database that includes information on its grants and contracts
Applicants and awardees from fiscal years (FYs) were included in this analysis
Demographic characteristics of the awardees including, age, degree, gender, citizenship status at the time of the application were studied
Transition of awardees to the second phase of the award and their receipt of subsequent research grants were followed until FY 2015
Secondary data sources are Doctorate Records File (DRF) and Association of American Medical Colleges file (AAMC) -
Missing/unknown degree, age and gender data from IMPAC II were supplemented from DRF and AAMC files

7. Data Challenges: Missing Citizenship Data
From , collected via checkboxes on the bottom of the second page of the application’s Table of Contents.
Overlooked by many applicants!

8. Data Challenges: Collecting Missing Citizenship Data
Citizenship reported or recorded for some 40% of early applicants – more than 1,400
To ensure that it would be available for future evaluations, we:
Manually reviewed the text of applications
If citizenship status was not evident from the application, followed up first with the applicant, and then the mentor and institution
Provided resulting data and documentation to the Data Quality Branch, for incorporation into IMPAC II
Predoctoral trainees and fellows are individuals supported by NIH training grants or fellowships

9. Characteristics

10. Age and Years from Degree
Typically 34 years old at time of application 4-5 years from doctoral degree

11. Citizenship
Applicants
Awardees
Percent
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year

12. Degrees

13. Distribution of Applicants and Awardees, by Sex

14. Distribution of Awardees, by Citizenship and Sex
Non-Citizens
U.S. Citizens
Permanent
Residents
Women
Men
Percent
Percent

15. Outcomes to Date

16. Transitioning to the Faculty Phase
For the first 6 cohorts of awardees:
Median length of the mentored phase: months
Percent transitioning:
2007 – 94.7%
2008 – 88.2%
2009 – 86.0%
2010 – 92.1%
2011 – 88.6%
2012 – 87.5%

17. Transitioning to the Faculty Phase, by Citizenship
Percent
Fiscal Year

18. Transitioning to the Faculty Phase, by Sex
Percent
Fiscal Year

19. Transitioning to the Faculty Phase at a Different Institution, by Sex
Percent
Fiscal Year

20. Subsequent Research Awards to Transitioning Faculty

21. Closing Thoughts and Next Steps
The Pathway to Independence program appears to aid postdoctorates in transitioning to faculty positions and obtaining research grants at earlier ages than in the past
Next steps include assessing:
The impact of program modifications (e.g., limiting the eligibility period)
The effects of changes in NIH policy

22. Acknowledgements NIH Statistical Analysis and Reporting Branch
NIH Data Quality Branch
Staff, applicants, mentors, and institutions who helped recover missing data