The Association of Women Surgeons research grant: An analysis of the first 25 years

Abstract

Background: The impact of the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) Research Grant on academic productivity is unknown.

Methods: Grant applications were obtained from AWS archives. Applicant bibliometrics and National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants were identified via public databases.

Results: Twenty-four recipients between 1996 and 2020 and 68 nonrecipients between 2012 and 2017 were identified. $596,700 was awarded over the 25 years. Twenty-five percent of recipients subsequently acquired NIH funding amounting to $6,611,927.00, an 885-1008% return on investment. Compared to nonrecipients, grant recipients produced a greater mean number of publications (50.6 versus 36.4; p = 0.05), had a higher h-index (15.92 versus 10.7; p = 0.01), and were cited in higher impact factor journals (6.32 versus 3.9; p = 0.02).

Conclusions: Overall, previous AWS Research Grant recipients were more likely to become more impactful surgeon-scientists, as indicated by a higher post-award rate of NIH funding, total number of publications, and h-index than nonrecipients.

Keywords: Academic productivity; Grant funding; Women surgeons.