Determining factors of participation and success rates in research funding competitions: Case study

Abstract

Research and innovation play a key role in generating smart and sustainable economic growth. By producing new knowledge, the research contributes to the development of new and innovative products, processes, and services, which in turn lead to increased productivity, industrial competitiveness, and, ultimately, the prosperity of the community as a whole. However, all research, development and innovation activities depend on the financial resources made available, as specific financing accelerates the production and dissemination of the best ideas and practices, as well as their role in meeting the challenges our society deals with nowadays. Our study aims to identify the determining factors for the researcher’s participation and success rates in research funding competitions. The goal of the research is to understand how variables such as age, gender, main field, affiliation, and scientific rank can affect the access to funding opportunities available for research and innovation. The study relies on a questionnaire-based survey conducted with 243 early-career and senior researchers from many state universities across Romania. For an in-depth analysis of the factors that influence the success rate in research competitions, in the present approach, we used both graphical and econometric methods. A binary logistic regression modelling was performed in order to explain the relationships between variables. Among other considerations, our findings revealed that in all main research fields, scientific rank and gender are important features for raising the participation and success rate in research funding competitions.

Building Research Capacity and Promoting Collaboration Through Grant Writing: Lessons From Ukrainian Universities

“…The findings and themes discussed above align with several literature sources. These go in line with Rusu et al (2022) along with Wiebe and Maticka-Tyndale (2017) who identified the determining factors for the researcher's participation and success rates in research funding competitions and discussed various strategies and best practices for improving grant-writing skills, fostering collaboration, and providing institutional support. This study findings are consistent with Shamsi and Osam (2022) who focus on the importance of language support for non-native English-speaking researchers.…”

The landscape of biomedical research funding in Brazil: a current overview

“…In addition, working in a well-recognized research institution seems to be a positive characteristic for increasing the odds of getting a research proposal funded ( 26 ). Researchers in the beginning of their career may improve their chances of getting funded by collaborating with accomplished investigators ( 23 , 30 , 32 ).…”

“…In addition, working in a well-recognized research institution seems to be a positive characteristic for increasing the odds of getting a research proposal funded (26). Researchers in the beginning of their career may improve their chances of getting funded by collaborating with accomplished investigators (23,30,32) 8. Patient and public involvement: Research that involves the public or patients in its design and execution can provide real-world context and relevance.…”

Investigating Academic Graph‐Based Factors behind Funding Success in National Institutes of Health

“…Research funding has been viewed as a key determinant of scientific activity (Rusu et al, 2022), and can have a long-Funding affords researchers essential resources and opportunities to establish themselves in their fields and pursue their research goals (Jacob & Lefgren, 2011). Moreover, the research funding success has been shown to be consistent with the Matthew effect and the Halo effect (Liao, 2021).…”

“…Research funding has been viewed as a key determinant of scientific activity (Rusu et al, 2022), and can have a long‐term and vital impact on the trajectory of researchers’ careers. Funding affords researchers essential resources and opportunities to establish themselves in their fields and pursue their research goals (Jacob & Lefgren, 2011).…”