The 41st chair: defining careers in the current biomedical research environment

In recent years academic capitalism and a distancing from Mertonian scientific norms have shifted the traditional reward of academic science from peer recognition to the award of grants. With the shrinking of the NIH budget in real terms since 2003, there are increasing numbers of researchers whose careers are at risk from lack of funding. This paper presents themes from an interpretive, narrative study of tenured biomedical research professors who have lost NIH support as the funding environment has tightened. Mechanisms for navigating this funding environment are suggested in light of these findings and inferences are drawn regarding how this may affect faculty careers. The potential of new, damaging scientific norms that are emerging in this funding climate are considered. The paper proposes actions administrators may take to help faculty who either occupy, or are moving towards occupying, the 41st chair. This paper is intended to help research administrators and medical school administrators understand faculty perceptions and experiences of funding loss, thereby allowing for greater perceived institutional support in a fiscally severe environment.