Study Finds Racial Disparity in NIH Grant Review System

Black researchers are significantly less likely to secure NIH grant funding than white applicants, according to a study published in the journal Science. Study author Donna Ginther of the University of Kansas said the disparity can be explained one of two ways: black applicants do not have the same "cumulative advantages" -- such as education and mentoring privileges -- as whites, or there is bias in NIH's grant review system. NIH Director Francis Collins pledged to take steps to root out any bias issues in the review process.

• "Blacks Win Fewer Health Research Grants in U.S." (Steenhuysen, Reuters, 8/18).
• "Black Scientists Less Likely To Win Federal Research Grants, Study Reports" (Chang, New York Times, 8/18).
• "Black Researchers Getting Fewer Grants From NIH" (Harris, "Morning Edition," NPR, 8/19).