First-time female applicants win fewer NIH grants — and less money — than males

Women who were first-time NIH grant awardees received almost $40,000 less than first-time male awardees, according to a new analysis. Women, on average, received roughly $127,000 in first-time grants whereas men received nearly $166,000. Women were also less likely to be first-time NIH grant awardees. About 44 percent of the more than 50,000 grants analyzed were were awarded to women. The trend was flipped, however, when researchers specifically looked at basic R01 grants: Women received roughly $16,000 more than men. Studying institutions with greater gender equity may offer insights into the reasons for such imbalances, the authors write.