FY 11 Success Rates & Other Stats from the NIH

Sally Rockey posted the latest NIH success rate numbers (& other applicant data) today …

Overall success rates for research project grants fell compared to 2010.	18%
Success rates for new investigators were equal to established investigators submitting new applications.	15%
The representation of women NIH investigators remained the same as in 2010.	29%
Women’s success rates were equal to men for new applications.	15%
Our commitment to supporting the individual investigator remains strong, with R01s and R37s representing a significant percentage of all research grants.	60%
The average size of R01-equivalent grants increased slightly compared to 2010.	$408,594
The average size of a center grant fell by 6% compared to 2010.	$1,863,037
Number of institutional training grant applications continued to decline, from a peak in 2005.	686

Sally also notes that the success rate (which is not the same thing as a payline or percentile) dropped from 20% to 18% due in part to an 8% increase in the number of applications received (49,592). In addition, fewer applications were funded in FY11 (8,765) than during any of FYs in the decade prior … the same number were funded in FY00 (though that year, the success rate was 32%).

Update: Sally explains the decline in success rate (more applications, less $ appropriated, increasing award size).