Repost: IFCN Clustering; A CRISP analysis

It has been a couple of years since I wrote this one and I was wondering to myself if study sections have been de-clustered. If you have an odd moment (and really, what else would you be doing the next couple of days) scan through your favorite study sections’ funded grant output and see how clustered those sections are at present. This post went up Dec 7, 2007 on the old blog.

---

We’ve been discussing the degree to which insular sub-groupings of scientists protect and maintain themselves and their peers through the grant review process. We’re using “bunny hopping” thanks to whimple and the NIH CSR calls this “clustering“. Note upfront that this analysis and discussion does not necessarily require overt malicious intent on anyone’s part. The presentation at the recent PRAC meeting from Don Schneider identified the IFCN (Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience) group of study sections as top suspects in the “clustering” phenomenon. Can we derive a little more information one wonders?

The IFCN sections are:

• Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior Study Section [NMB]
• Neuroendocrinology, Neuroimmunology and Behavior Study Section [NNB]
• Biological Rhythms and Sleep Study Section [BRS]
• Somatosensory and Chemosensory Systems Study Section [SCS]
• Sensorimotor Integration Study Section [SMI]
• Auditory System Study Section [AUD]
• Neurobiology of Learning and Memory Study Section [LAM]
• Cognitive Neuroscience Study Section [COG]
• Neurotoxicology and Alcohol Study Section [NAL]
• Central Visual Processing Study Section [CVP]
• IFCN Small Business Activities [SBIR/STTR] Special Emphasis Panels [IFCN Small Business SEPs]
• Behavioral Neuroscience Fellowship Study Section [F02A]
• Sensory, Motor and Cognitive Neuroscience Fellowship Study Section [F02B]

If we ignore the last three special-mechanism sections we have 11 general R-mech sections, some of which are intimately familiar to the DM, BM, apparently the PP and possibly you, DearReader.
Let’s go to the CRISP, shall we? I’ll search on 1R% and 2R% for each, note that the former will include some non-renewable mechs like R21, R03 and double up on R15s, each year of which is a “1” award type. Also, this is just the ones that start in FY2007, noncompeting Type5s not included.
NMB: 28 Type 1, 15 from DA, 5 MH, 4 DK, a DC and an NS. 13 Type 2, 8 DA, 2 MH, 1 each DK, NS, HD.
NNB: 19 Type 1, 5 MH, 5 DK, 3 NS, 2 DA, 2 HD. 15 Type 2, 7 MH, 3 NS, 2 HD, 1each DK, DA, HL
BRS: 998 Type 1 and 283 Type 2 returned, more investigation needed. Is this the “standing SEP”? With multiple actual sections perhaps? [Update 12/10/07: My browser and CRISP were apparently not getting along. 11 Type 1, 5 MH, 4 NS, 1 DA, 1 HL. 7 Type 2, 3 each MH, NS, 1 HD.
SCS: 46 Type 1, 22 NS, 16 DC, 4 DA, 2 AR, 1 DE, 1 NR. 20 Type 2, 12 DC (inc 1 in yr 40!), 3 DE, 3 NS, 1 CA, 1 DA
SMI: 19 Type 1, 13 NS, 4 DC, 1 MH, 1 EY. 12 Type 2, 7 NS, 3 MH, 1 HL, 1 DC
AUD: 31 Type 1, 31 DC. 40 Type 2, 39 DC, 1 HD
LAM: 16 Type 1, 9 MH, 2 each RR, AG, 1 each DA, EY, NS. 22 Type 2, 15 MH, 4 NS, 2 AG, 1 DA
COG: 20 Type 1, 6 NS, 4 EY, 3 AG, 2 MH, 1 DC. 12 Type 2, 4 DC, 3 EY, 3 MH, 2 NS
NAL: 33 Type 1, 18 from AA, 14 ES, 1 NS. 17 Type 2, 14 AA, 2 ES, 1 DA.
CVP: 17 Type 1, 17 EY. 26 Type 2, 26 EY.
Anyone spot the bunny hoppers yet? 🙂