{"id":15208,"date":"2021-06-16T09:49:21","date_gmt":"2021-06-16T13:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engineering.jhu.edu\/magazine-archive\/?p=15208"},"modified":"2021-06-16T09:49:21","modified_gmt":"2021-06-16T13:49:21","slug":"achieving-equity-in-funding-for-black-scientists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engineering.jhu.edu\/magazine-archive\/2021\/06\/achieving-equity-in-funding-for-black-scientists\/","title":{"rendered":"Achieving Equity in Funding for Black Scientists"},"content":{"rendered":"\"John\n

Insufficient federal funding for research by Black scientists is a key factor in preventing equitable contributions to science and achievement of these scientists\u2019 full potential, according to the Whiting School\u2019s Muyinatu Bell<\/a>, the John C. Malone Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering<\/a>, who was among co-authors from 15 institutions whose commentary appeared in Cell<\/em><\/a> in January.<\/p>\n

\u201cI pay taxes,\u201d says Bell. \u201cMy colleagues, friends, and family members who are all supportive of equity principles pay taxes. Yet there is a documented 20-year history of inequitable distribution of these tax dollars to Black researchers for biomedical research. This is a major problem that must be addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

In their commentary, Bell and her co-authors cite several studies of funding allocation by the National Institutes of Health to Black scientists over the past decade, which reveal that Black applicant award rates are about 55% that of white principal investigators of similar academic achievement. The authors contend that this funding gap has continued despite internal reviews of the reasons for the disparity and promises by NIH to do better.<\/p>\n

The scientists point out that while efforts have been made to encourage Black students to enter careers as researchers and college and university faculty, once appointed, lack of research funding can stifle and even ruin their careers, especially as their ability to garner NIH and other funding plays into tenure and promotion decision-making.<\/p>\n

\u201cDifferences in lab size, perceived research importance, and access to opportunities that require major NIH research funding are some of the consequences of the current disparity. Ultimately, these differences derail careers in a way that is not tied to aptitude nor fundamental potential for success,\u201d says Bell.<\/p>\n

These disparities, Bell continues, can have far-reaching effects on future generations of scientists. \u201cIt’s very important for young students to have role models in the sciences who come from the same racial background,\u201d she says. \u201cThese role models are effective with regard to changing perceptions about who is or who can be a scientist, not only for Black students but also for anyone watching the world around us.\u201d<\/p>\n

She and her co-authors make several recommendations on how research funding disparities can be eliminated. Among the steps they recommend funding agencies take are:<\/p>\n