Abstract
BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the distribution of European Union (EU) healthcare research grants across EU countries, and to study the effect of the potential influencing factors on grant allocation.MethodsWe analysed publicly available data on healthcare research grants from the 7th Framework Programme and the Horizon 2020 Programme allocated to beneficiaries between 2007 and 2016. Grant allocation was analysed at the beneficiary-, country-, and country group-level (EU-15 versus newer Member States, defined as EU-13). The investigated country-level explanatory variables included GDP per capita, population size, overall disease burden, and healthcare research excellence. Grant amounts per 100,000 inhabitants were used as an outcome variable in the regression analyses.ResultsResearch funds were disproportionally allocated to EU-15 versus the EU-13, as 96.9% of total healthcare grants were assigned to EU-15 countries. At the beneficiary level, EU funding was positively influenced by participating in previous grants. The average grant amount per beneficiary was higher for EU-15 organizations. In the multiple regression analysis GDP per capita (p = 0.002) and research excellence (p<0.001) had a significant positive association with EU funding. Population size had an inverted U-shaped relationship with EU funding for healthcare research, having the largest per capita funding in second and the third quartiles (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02).ConclusionThe uneven allocation of healthcare research funds across EU countries was influenced by GDP per capita, medical research excellence and population size. Wealthier countries with an average population size and strong research excellence in healthcare had more EU funding for healthcare research. Higher disease burden apparently was not associated with more EU research funding. While our findings are in line with analyses on previous periods, they suggest that the EU did not implement any effective policy measures to improve the unfair allocation of research grants.
Highlights
Funding is one of the main drivers of scientific activities [1]
Research funds were disproportionally allocated to European Union (EU)-15 versus the EU-13, as 96.9% of total healthcare grants were assigned to EU-15 countries
The uneven allocation of healthcare research funds across EU countries was influenced by GDP per capita, medical research excellence and population size
Summary
Funding is one of the main drivers of scientific activities [1] It is important for defining new scientific research projects or improving research and development in existing projects. Research and development is a major field for innovation, employment and economic stimulation in the European Union (EU). Since this field is important to the worldwide economic positioning of the EU, there is considerable funding available to financially support companies, universities and research authorities [2]. Due to differences in health outcomes, quality and cost of care, European research on health systems has great potential to support countries in improving the outcomes and efficiency of their healthcare systems [6]. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of European Union (EU) healthcare research grants across EU countries, and to study the effect of the potential influencing factors on grant allocation
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