Securing the Future of the US Biomedical Research Workforce

Since the end of World War II, the US' preeminence in biomedical research has been widely recognized. There are a number of features of the US system that are responsible for its success, but surely one of the most important was the early embrace of high levels of federal research investment, c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Issues in science and technology 2019-01, Vol.35 (2), p.50-52
Main Authors: DANIELS, RONALD J., BENINSON, LIDA A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Awards
Awards & honors
Behavioral Sciences
Biomedical research
Biomedicine
Career development
Careers
Collaboration
Committees
Ecosystems
Federal Government
Graduate Students
Grants
Investments
Labor Force
Medical research
Medicine
Philanthropic Foundations
Problem Solving
Professional development
R&D
Research & development
Researchers
Resource Allocation
Scientists
SPECIAL SECTION: Higher Education Reimagined
Stakeholders
Task forces
Trainees
Workforce
World War II
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Summary:Since the end of World War II, the US' preeminence in biomedical research has been widely recognized. There are a number of features of the US system that are responsible for its success, but surely one of the most important was the early embrace of high levels of federal research investment, coupled with the allocation of funds on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis. This trait is credited with helping the nation create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem for the advancement of knowledge and the human condition, and the US system has been emulated throughout the world. The problems are many, and interwoven: The cost of conducting research has steadily risen, and the size of federal research awards has not kept pace. At the same time, the biomedical research workforce is aging, and a shrinking percentage of federal research grants are awarded to young scientists, who often spend many years in postdoctoral positions characterized by low pay and no guarantee of mentorship or career development.
ISSN:0748-5492
1938-1557