Introduction: Surgical societies, including SAGES, frequently distribute grant funds to support research in their field as well as to promote the careers of the grant recipients. No objective data supporting the positive impact of grants from a surgical society has been available. We completed a survey of SAGES grant recipients to track academic success and further research initiatives.
Methods: All SAGES grant Principal Investigators (PI) and Co-PIs funded from 1993-2008 were surveyed using Survey Monkey. Questions included year of funding, resultant presentations and publications and related funding. Recipients were queried on academic promotions, unrelated research and subjective impact from the grant.
Results: 48 of 108 surveys were answered (44.4%). 81% of respondents were listed as the PI. 72% of funded projects were actually completed. Most incomplete studies were still in progress at the time of the survey. 73% of projects were presented at scientific meetings, with 88.5% presented at SAGES (as required). Other popular forums for presentation included the American College of Surgeons or Digestive Diseases Week at 3.8% each. Presentation dates ranged from 1997 – 2008. 8.6% of respondents received awards for these presentations. 63.9% have published the results from their funded projects, with the majority (68.2%) published in Surgical Endoscopy. Publication dates ranged from 1996-2008. 67.6% have had additional publications since completing their SAGES grant project. The average number of publications since receiving a SAGES grant was 20 (2-150). 42.9% received further research funding that they felt was impacted by the SAGES grant. Of those with additional funding, 33% received over $200,000, and 66% over $50,000. Only 7.!% of additional funding was from the NIH, 42.9% was from a professional organization. The average grant recipient had attended 3.8 of the last 5 SAGES meetings.
Conclusion: SAGES grants have a strong impact on the academic careers of their recipients and lead to future funding as well as publication. These and similar grant should be continued as an important tool for academic growth and development.
Session: Podium Presentation
Program Number: S120