National Academies release new report on research training needs

National Academies release new report on research training needs

The National Academies recently released the 12th in a series of congressionally mandated reports monitoring changing needs for biomedical and behavioral research personnel in the United States. The purpose of the report, "Advancing the Nation's Health Needs: NIH Research Training Programs," is to advise National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Congress on the appropriate level of training for the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Program that supports individual and institutional training grants at the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels. The report recommends that the total number of NRSA positions awarded remain at least at the 2003 level and that future increases be commensurate with the rise in total extramural research funding at NIH in the biomedical, clinical, and behavioral sciences. The committee also recommends that the Medical Scientist Training Programs be expanded by at least 20 percent.

Source: AAMC STAT, May 16, 2005