The interest of young MDs and PhDs in research careers was assessed by determining the number of former trainees who applied for and (or) received research support from the Public Health Service. Thirty-two percent of trainees supported by Institutional Training Grants between 1977 and 1981 made a subsequent application. Seventy-six percent of all those who submitted applications to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research project support received awards. Examination of the success rate for individual applications submitted by former trainees showed that 56% of all applications submitted by MD scientists were awarded, and 57% of all applications submitted by PhD scientists were awarded. This compares to an NIH-wide average of 33.3% for the same period. The number of appointments made to Institutional Training Grants for a full year remained fairly constant over a 6year period, as did the number appointed to individual fellowships over an 8-year period. The dollars expended on Institutional Training Grants increased 33% from 1982 to 1986 for a similar number of trainees, and increased 30% from 1981 to 1988 for a similar number of individual fellowships. The number of Research Career Development Award (RCDA) applications declined by 66% for MDs and by 53% for PhDs, accounting for a 32% reduction in the number of active RCDAs held by MDs and a 60% reduction in active RCDAs held by PhDs from 1985 to 1988. MD scientists submitted more applications, had higher award rates, and received more RCDA awards than did PhD scientists. Currently, 42% of all who received training through an Institutional Training Grant in the Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases (DKUHD) are engaged in research activities. In summary, applicants who were former trainees supported by an Institutional Training Grant in DKUHD had higher success rates than other applicants assigned to the DKUHD (P< 0.0044), or the NIH in general. Too few trainees submit research grant applications after completing their training. These data may be encouraging to trainees and trainers. © 1990, National Kidney Foundation Inc.. All rights reserved.
