Abstract: TH-PO836
Gender Inequities Persist in National Institutes of Health Funding for Nephrology Research
Session Information
- Race, Ethnicity, and Gender in Kidney Health and Care
October 24, 2024 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
- 900 Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
Authors
- Wehbe, Karima, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Khaled, Wafaa Mahmoud, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Me, Hay Me, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
- Jhaveri, Kenar D., Northwell Health, Great Neck, New York, United States
- Attieh, Rose Mary, Northwell Health, Great Neck, New York, United States
Background
Gender inequity remains pervasive in the medical community, with women significantly underrepresented in access to extramural funding opportunities. We aimed to assess gender disparities in National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards for nephrology research within the 40 highest-funded academic university hospitals in the United States between 2017 and 2020.
Methods
Data on funding for nephrology research were retrieved from the NIH Principal Investigator (PI) database records. Only new awards were considered. Grants were identified by specifying the corresponding fiscal year (2017-2020), award type “new”, and NIH spending category “kidney disease”. For each grant, the type, amount of funds, and gender of the PI were recorded.
Results
Between 2017 and 2020, the NIH awarded 1472 new grants for research on kidney disease. 40 academic medical centers received the majority of grants (776 grants, 52.7% of total). Within these institutions, male PIs were awarded 475 grants (61.2%), totaling $193,787,257. Female PIs received 301 grants (38.8%), totaling $108,102,109 (Table 1). The difference in NIH funding between male and female PIs across all grant types was statistically significant, favoring male PIs (95% CI: [-89,812; -24,258]; p-value < 0.001). However, this imbalance was not observed across the 10 most commonly awarded grant types (p-value >0.05 for all).
Conclusion
Gender inequities in NIH funding remain in nephrology. Further research is warranted to understand their root cause and to explore strategies aimed at empowering women in the field to successfully secure funding.
Funding
- Private Foundation Support