Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

Are career development (K) awardees better able to sustain a research career in the long-term? To help answer this question, we examine the recent research activity of two cohorts of career development applicants and awardees between 1990-2009. We rely on a quasi-Regression Discontinuity Design with matching to estimate the effect of such grants on subsequent grant activity and future publications. We also examine the extent to which receipt of a career development award promotes a sustained research career and explore heterogeneity by funding environment. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of how these evaluation results will inform NIH policies and planning