Introduction
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently released its annual update on NIH application, award, and success rate data. Let’s explore the highlights of the NIH’s fiscal year (FY) 2023 enacted appropriations, shedding light on significant trends and figures in extramural research funding.
Fiscal Year 2023 in Review
In FY 2023, the NIH allocated $34.9 billion towards competing and non-competing grant awards, marking a notable 4.7% increase from the previous year. This substantial investment underscores the NIH’s commitment to advancing scientific discovery and innovation. Notably, the NIH disbursed 58,951 competing and non-competing awards, reflecting a 1.0% increase compared to FY 2022. The award distribution spanned 2,743 academic universities, hospitals, small businesses, and other organizations nationwide and internationally.
Research Project Grants (RPGs), a pivotal aspect of NIH funding, witnessed significant developments in FY 2023. Despite a slight decrease in the number of RPG applications, the success rate for new RPGs experienced a positive uptick, reaching 21.3%. This increase and a rise in the average nominal cost per RPG demonstrate the NIH’s continued support for groundbreaking research endeavors.
R01-Equivalent Grants
R01-equivalent grants, comprising a substantial portion of RPGs, displayed consistent trends in FY 2023. While there was a minor decline in R01-equivalent grant applications, the success rate remained stable at 21.6%. Moreover, a 3.4% increase in total funding for R01-equivalents underscores the NIH’s sustained investment in foundational research.
Looking Ahead
The achievements and investments of FY 2023 show that the NIH supports innovative research across diverse domains. These insights are a foundation for fostering collaboration, driving scientific progress, and addressing pressing global challenges.
View the NIH’s annual update for additional details.
