Trends in NIH-Supported Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research: FYs 2009-2022

I often hear concerns raised that NIH does not fund enough basic research, or enough applied research for that matter. Basically, the concerns center around what is the correct balance. It is an important point to consider, as a better understanding of these wider research areas can shed light on NIH’s approach to higher-level priority setting and funding decisions. To get at this question, we leveraged the Research, Condition, and Disease Classification (RCDC) system and looked at trends in NIH funding of these areas between fiscal years (FYs) 2009 and 2022. For the purpose of this analysis, we used projects reported in the Clinical and Translational RCDC categories to define “applied” research. Projects that were not reported in the Clinical and Translational categories were used to define “basic” research. Projects in the “applied” and “basic” groupings align with the NIH definitions for basic,  clinical, translational research. RCDC categories are validated by subject matter experts and have accuracy of more than 90%. Additionally, the results from this basic and applied analysis have also been validated by several ICs within their portfolio. This blog explains more about the RCDC process. Our analysis included research project grants, research center grants, other research grants, as well as subprojects funded through traditional appropriations. Research funded through supplemental appropriations, like the American Recovery and Reinvestment A...
Source: NIH Extramural Nexus - Category: Research Authors: Tags: blog Open Mike basic research clinical research Funding data RCDC Source Type: funding