Size matters! On the implications of increasing the size of research grants

TY - CHAP

T1 - Size matters!

T2 - On the implications of increasing the size of research grants

AU - Bloch, Carter Walter

AU - Kladakis, Alexander

AU - Sørensen, Mads P.

PY - 2023/3

Y1 - 2023/3

N2 - This chapter examines the rationales behind larger grants, from large individual or project grants to research centers. It discusses arguments and evidence in favour of increased grant sizes, such as economies of scale in research and redistribution of resources towards top researchers to increase scientific productivity and pathbreaking research as well as potentially negative impacts of increasing funding size, leading to the concentration of funding among a smaller number of researchers. In recent years, increasing attention has been placed on inequality in science and the growing concentration of funding. Research funding policies play an important role in these developments, particularly through the design of funding instruments, where a focus on larger funding grants can contribute to concentration trends and increased inequality. Distribution of funding has repercussions for the science system at all levels, from individual researchers to institutions, regions, and disciplines.

AB - This chapter examines the rationales behind larger grants, from large individual or project grants to research centers. It discusses arguments and evidence in favour of increased grant sizes, such as economies of scale in research and redistribution of resources towards top researchers to increase scientific productivity and pathbreaking research as well as potentially negative impacts of increasing funding size, leading to the concentration of funding among a smaller number of researchers. In recent years, increasing attention has been placed on inequality in science and the growing concentration of funding. Research funding policies play an important role in these developments, particularly through the design of funding instruments, where a focus on larger funding grants can contribute to concentration trends and increased inequality. Distribution of funding has repercussions for the science system at all levels, from individual researchers to institutions, regions, and disciplines.

KW - Grant size, large grants, economy of scale, research funding, inequality, concentration

U2 - 10.4337/9781800883086

DO - 10.4337/9781800883086

M3 - Book chapter

SN - 9781800883079

SP - 123

EP - 138

BT - Handbook of Public Research Funding

A2 - Lepori, B.

A2 - Jongbloed, B.

A2 - Hicks, D.

PB - Edward Elgar Publishing

CY - Cheltenham

ER -