Challenges to the transition to independent investigator in geriatric mental health.
OBJECTIVE
The author reports on the extent to which junior investigators in geriatric mental health successfully make the transition to independent scientists.


METHODS
The NIH CRISP database identified all NIMH Level-1 career awards (K01/K07/K08/K23/ R29) in geriatric mental health completed from 1992 to 2001.


RESULTS
Of 46 awardees, 14 (30.4%) achieved R01 funding within 1 year of completion. An additional six investigators subsequently achieved R01s in the remaining follow-up period (ranging from 2 to 10 years), for a total of 43.5% (20/46).


CONCLUSIONS
These data underscore the relatively small number of junior investigators who successfully make the transition to independent scientist. Their numbers underscore the importance of efforts by the field of geriatric mental health aimed at both increasing the flow into this career as well as ensuring the retention and success of junior investigators at the critical transition to independent investigators.
Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 21 Bloomingdale Road, White Plains, NY 10605, USA.
Martha L
ML
Bruce
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001363:Awards and Prizes; D005376:Financial Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D012108:Research Personnel; D014481:United States