NSERC's overall spending on post doctoral fellowships is increasing despite criticism

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) has come out in defence of its funding for post doctoral fellowships (PDF) following a rash of criticism surrounding the plummeting success rates of one of its suite of PDF support programs (R$ August 31/12). NSERC officials say it's misleading to single out one of several methods of PDF support as the total number of PDF recipients has risen over the past several years as has the amount invested.

The controversy first arose in 2010 when the success rate for the Post Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) program plunged to 9.3% from 21.3% the year before and was rekindled earlier this year when NSERC announced that the success rate of the latest competition had fallen ever further to a new all-time low of 7.8% with just 98 awards made. Articles, blogs and editorials (including RE$EARCH MONEY) were published criticizing the declining success rate, prompting NSERC to respond.

"The success rate to me has become meaningless … What is more important is how we are investing in PDFs and support a growing number," says Isabelle Blain, VP of NSERC's research grants and scholarships directorate. "We do have a global perspective and, at heart, that training at all levels is where NSERC distinguishes itself. There are many scholarships and fellowships compared to other countries around the world. Overall it's a strong, complex package ... We want to see a healthy research environment and a place for the PDF program and the great role it plays."

Blain says the latest success rate of 7.8% for the PDF program is "a reality whether we are comfortable (with it) or not" — an acknowledgement that a tight fiscal situation necessitates making choices for how much financial support can be allocated through its suite of funding mechanisms.

Since FY05-06, NSERC support for PDFs has increased from $71 million to $84.6 million, up 19.2%. The number of graduates supported has also increased from 1,969 to 2,324 in the same six-year period. The funding accounts for four types of PDF support — direct support for PDFs ($17 million), support through Industrial Research and Development Fellowships ($4.7 million) and indirect support ($62.9 million).

Indirect support is delivered through other funding mechanisms such as the core Discovery Grants (DG) program and Accelerator grants which are awarded to certain DG recipients. CREATE grants can also be used to hire post doctoral students. NSERC argues that the mix helps to support students in a variety of activities and career paths, noting that the majority of those who receive PhDs opt for careers outside of academia.

"The PDF program is one source of a more global system … The bigger issue is, what is the career path of our graduates. Those are the discussions we have at the more global level," says Blain.

Another trend that's pushing down the PDF success rate is the higher proportion of PhDs among applicants. Blain says the cost of supporting PhD students as opposed to Master's level students is about double, resulting in fewer awards being made.

"From a fixed budget, the portion going to doctorates is increasing so the number of awards is more limited (and declining)," she says, adding that a similar trend is occurring with other graduate support programs.

Indirect support for post-doctoral students comprises by far the largest single source of PDF funding. Between 2005-06 to and 2007-08, indirect support jumped 27.2% before falling back significantly in FY07-08. Stimulus funding boosted the success rate in FY09-10 and FY10-11, giving indirect support an overall growth rate of more than 30% in the past six years.

"That's thanks in part to CREATE and Accelerator (grants). That's where the growth is," says Blain. "Discovery Grants can support a PDF for part of a year or pool funding to support one PDF over a full year."

Blain attributes much of the criticism directed towards PDF support to a misunderstanding over the ways in which this class of researcher is supported. With the introduction of CREATE and Accelerator grants, the mix is more sensitive to the needs of PDFs entering the system or preparing for a career outside academia. In recent weeks, she has given presentations to explain the situation.

"There's a realization that PDFs are one component or one tool in the toolbox," says Blain. "CREATE is not well understood (but) it's highly competitive, more collaborative, integrative and interdisciplinary. Students say its innovative and interesting and welcome the opportunity to work in CREATE groups."

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