Funding Patterns Research Articles

What kind of education research was funded by the government in China? A decade-long investigation (2010–2020)

PurposeThe key purpose of this study is to systematically examine the landscape of education research funded by the National Plan of Educational Research Funding (NPERF) in China. The study aims to: (1) identify the thematic focus areas that reflect the national education agenda, (2) analyze the general funding patterns of education research projects and (3) gain insights into the distinctive nature of the research agenda in China. The study employs a rigorous data-driven approach to offer valuable insights into the dynamic discourses within the field of education research in China, which has received relatively little attention despite its potential significance.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, we utilized word co-occurrence analysis and corpus-based frequency analysis to analyze the research projects funded by the National Plan of Educational Research Funding (NPERF) from 2011 to 2020.FindingsThe key characteristics of these projects highlight the focus on higher education research, addressing the interests of specific cohorts of students, teachers and disadvantaged populations. Furthermore, these projects demonstrate a remarkable responsiveness to the policy needs of the country and a robust inclination toward an international comparative framework.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings offer valuable insights into the landscape and features of funded education research in China, revealing a strong emphasis on addressing practical needs and enhancing the capacity of the education system in the country.Originality/valueThis paper presents a systematic examination of the topics covered in funded research under the National Plan of Educational Research Funding (NPERF) scheme from 2011 to 2020. It contributes to the advancement of understanding regarding knowledge traditions and practices in the Chinese context. Methodologically, this paper is the first in the literature to be prototyped with a word co-occurrence analysis approach to systematically investigate the funded education research in China. Additionally, it includes the development of a comprehensive corpus list to uncover the key characteristics of the funded projects. The analysis provides unique insights into the priorities and directions of education research supported by the Chinese government, which are of potential interest to international readers.

Critically examining research funding patterns for climate change and human health

Many actors have recently launched significant new initiatives in the domain of climate change and health. Given this important nexus, we undertook a review of funding patterns from 1985 – 2022, using the NIH RePORTER database for the United States and the Dimensions database globally. This includes an assessment of more than 9 million publicly funded projects across both databases with a collective budget of more than $3 trillion. We estimate that between 1985 and 2022 only 0.26% of research funding awarded by the NIH related to climate change, and only 0.70% of funded projects in the Dimensions database related to climate change and human health. Moreover, we thematically map funding patterns according to four thematic areas: changes in climate, the effects of climate change, health impacts, and interventions and strategies. More funding is needed to better anticipate and prepare for the projected health impacts of climate change.

Canadian Health Research Funding Patterns for Sexual and Gender Minority Populations Reflect Exclusion of Women.

Purpose: We explored the funding areas of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (trans), queer or questioning, and intersex individuals (2S/LGBTQI)-specific health research funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) mentioned in the grant abstracts. Methods: We analyzed the publicly available database of grant abstracts funded by CIHR from 2009-2020 to examine what types of 2S/LGBTQI-specific health outcomes would be studied and in what populations. Results: We found that 58% of awarded grant abstracts mentioned studying sexually transmitted diseases, the majority of which was on human immunodeficiency virus. Of the funded 2S/LGBTQI grant abstracts that specified the gender of the population to be studied (n=23), less then 9% mentioned studying cisgender women. Almost 40% mentioned including trans women/girls, and 30% mentioned including trans men/boys. None of the studies examined mentioned work with the Two-Spirit community. Conclusion: These results reflect larger social and health inequities that require structural level changes in research to support the 2S/LGBTQI community.

Orthopedic Research Funding: Assessing the Relationship between Investments and Breakthroughs.

Orthopedic research plays a crucial role in improving patient outcomes for musculoskeletal disorders. This narrative review explores the intricate interplay between funding patterns and the trajectory of breakthroughs achieved in this dynamic field. A meticulous search strategy identified studies illuminating the diverse sources of orthopedic research funding, including public funding (government agencies), philanthropic organizations, private sector investment, and international funding bodies. The review further delved into the spectrum of breakthroughs, encompassing fundamental scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and personalized medicine approaches. Public funding emerged as a significant pillar, supporting foundational research that lays the groundwork for future advancements. Philanthropic organizations addressed specific musculoskeletal disorders, often focusing on patient-centric applications. International funding bodies played a role in supporting research in low- and middle-income countries. Breakthroughs extended beyond cutting-edge prosthetics and minimally invasive surgeries, encompassing fundamental discoveries in areas like gene therapy and biomaterials science. Technological advancements included brain-computer interface prosthetics and 3D-printed implants. Personalized medicine offered the potential for tailored treatments based on individual needs and genetic profiles. This review underscores the complex interplay between funding patterns and breakthroughs in orthopedic research. A multifaceted approach is essential for continued progress. Fostering collaboration, optimizing funding models, and prioritizing both foundational and translational research hold the key to unlocking the true potential of orthopedic research and transforming the lives of patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders.

Analysis of funding landscape for health policy and systems research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A scoping review of the literature over the past decade

BackgroundHealth policy and systems research (HPSR) can strengthen health systems and improve population health outcomes. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), there is limited recognition of the importance of HPSR and funding remains the main challenge. This study seeks to: (1) assess the reporting of funding in HPSR papers published between 2010 and 2022 in the EMR, (2) examine the source of funding in the published HPSR papers in the EMR and (3) explore variables influencing funding sources, including any difference in funding sources for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related articles.MethodsWe conducted a rapid scoping review of HPSR papers published between 2010 and 2022 (inclusively) in the EMR, addressing the following areas: reporting of funding in HPSR papers, source of funding in the published HPSR papers, authors’ affiliations and country of focus. We followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines for conducting scoping reviews.We also conducted univariate and bivariate analyses for all variables at 0.05 significance level.ResultsOf 10,797 articles screened, 3408 were included (of which 9.3% were COVID-19-related). More than half of the included articles originated from three EMR countries: Iran (n = 1018, 29.9%), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (n = 595, 17.5%) and Pakistan (n = 360, 10.6%). Approximately 30% of the included articles did not report any details on study funding. Among articles that reported funding (n = 1346, 39.5%), analysis of funding sources across all country income groups revealed that the most prominent source was national (55.4%), followed by international (41.7%) and lastly regional sources (3%). Among the national funding sources, universities accounted for 76.8%, while governments accounted for 14.9%. Further analysis of funding sources by country income group showed that, in low-income and lower-middle-income countries, all or the majority of funding came from international sources, while in high-income and upper-middle-income countries, national funding sources, mainly universities, were the primary sources of funding. The majority of funded articles’ first authors were affiliated with academia/university, while a minority were affiliated with government, healthcare organizations or intergovernmental organizations. We identified the following characteristics to be significantly associated with the funding source: country income level, the focus of HPSR articles (within the EMR only, or extending beyond the EMR as part of international research consortia), and the first author’s affiliation. Similar funding patterns were observed for COVID-19-related HPSR articles, with national funding sources (78.95%), mainly universities, comprising the main source of funding. In contrast, international funding sources decreased to 15.8%.ConclusionThis is the first study to address the reporting of funding and funding sources in published HPSR articles in the EMR. Approximately 30% of HPSR articles did not report on the funding source. Study findings revealed heavy reliance on universities and international funding sources with minimal role of national governments and regional entities in funding HPSR articles in the EMR. We provide implications for policy and practice to enhance the profile of HPSR in the region.

Researcher, research thyself? Mapping the landscape of canine health and welfare research funding provided by UK not-for-profit organisations from 2012-2022.

Research into canine health and welfare is supported by Government, charitable and private UK funding organisations. However, there is no current overall visibility or coordination of these funding activities, potentially compromising optimal distribution of limited resources. This study aimed to survey UK canine health and welfare funding by not-for-profit funders between 2012 and 2022, providing a novel baseline analysis to inform future sector stakeholder priorities. Funding data were collected from 10 wide-scope funders (UK Government funding councils and medical charities), 18 animal-directed funders (organisations specifically concerned with animal health and welfare) and 81 breed community groups. These 109 UK funders together provided traceable canine-relevant funding of £57.8 million during the surveyed period, comprising 684 individual grant awards supporting over 500 separate research projects. Wide-scope funders contributed £41.2 million (71.2% of total funding); animal-directed organisations, £16.3 million (28.1% of total funding); and breed-specific groups, £370K (0.6% of total funding). Individual grants ranged from £2.3 million to £300. Funding patterns varied between sectors. Animal-directed funders provided £14.7 million of canine-relevant research funding that foregrounded the dog, 73% of all such funding; wide-scope funders provided £17.5 million of canine-relevant One Health research funding, 97% of all such funding. Customised metrics developed for this study assessed the 'benefit to the dog' and 'pathway to impact' of individual research projects. Overall, studies supported by animal-directed funders achieved significantly higher 'benefit to the dog' scores (Mann-Whitney U = 45235, p<0.001) and 'pathway to impact' scores (Mann-Whitney U = 43506.5, p<0.001) than those supported by wide-scope funders. The landscape of UK not-for-profit funding of canine health and welfare research is complex, with considerable variation between providers. Although wide-scope funders provide the majority of overall canine-relevant research funding, animal-directed funders provide the majority of canine-focused funding and support research with greater direct impact on canine welfare. Visibility of past funding patterns will enable stakeholders in this sector to make more informed decisions about future research. To increase clarity, certain words and phrases are used in specific ways within the context of this paper. Animal-directed funders-Charities and other funding organisations whose remit primarily concerns animals or veterinary work Canine-focused research-Investigations where the primary purpose is to advance understandings of canine health and/or welfare Canine-relevant research-All research that is framed as advancing understandings of canine health and/or welfare as a primary or subsidiary purpose Institution-Refers to universities and other centres where research is carried out Organisation-Refers to funding bodies, including research councils, charities and other groups Research grant-A single funding event originating from one or more funders Research project-A cohesive piece of research concerning a particular topic; may involve multiple researchers and/or multiple research grants, in series or in parallel Wide-scope funders-Large organisations whose remit does not primarily concern animals, i.e. (in this dataset) UKRI councils and the Wellcome Trust.

Abstract PO3-10-09: The allocation of US $2.6 billion in global funding for breast cancer research between 2016 – 2020: are we investing wisely for breast cancer patients?

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is a global health challenge and the highest incident cancer globally, with over 2 million new cases and 685,000 deaths in 2020, making it the highest incident cancer globally. Furthermore, it is the most prevalent cancer, resulting in the loss of more disability-adjusted life years than any other malignancy. Research is thus crucial to improving outcomes and reducing suffering for breast cancer patients worldwide. This study aimed to analyse global patterns of funding for breast cancer research. Methods: We have previously created a comprehensive database of awards for human cancer research in this period using publicly available data on research funding awards. From this database we extracted all awards relating to breast cancer research, and categorised these by cancer type, cross-cutting research theme and phase of research. Findings: We identified 7051 awards with a total investment of $2.6 billion in 2016-2020, representing 11.2% of all global public and philanthropic cancer research funding during this period. Breast cancer research funding fell year on year, from $773.4 million in 2016 to $243.8 million in 2020. The majority of the investment was in pre-clinical research ($1.9 billion, 73.9%), with clinical trials ($276 million, 10.7%) and public health ($269.2 million, 10.5%) receiving roughly equivalent amounts of funding. The USA accounted for 66.9% of all global breast cancer research investment, with China ($110.4 million, 4.3%) and the UK ($96.6 million, 3.8%) the next largest funders. By research theme, cancer biology research received most funding ($926.2 million, 37.5% of investment), with drug treatment the next best funded research area ($600.5 million, 23.4%), and diagnosis, screening and monitoring third ($396 million, 15.4%). Surgery ($65.2 million, 2.5%) and radiotherapy ($35.3 million, 1.4%) accounted for only a small proportion of research investment. There was minimal investment into breast cancer as a global health issue ($8.1 million, 0.3%). Research into metastatic disease received a greater proportion of investment in breast cancer than in the overall cancer portfolio (23.2% in breast cancer, $597.4 million, compared with 11.7% across all cancers). Conclusions: Breast cancer public and philanthropic research funding is largely invested in pre-clinical research in high-income countries, with the main areas of investment being cancer biology research and drug treatment. The direct benefit to patients from such research is likely to be low and only apparent after a substantial time lag (if at all). Despite their pivotal role in the treatment of the majority of breast cancer patients, surgery and radiotherapy research received a tiny proportion of the overall research investment. Furthermore, relatively little investment is directed towards cancer prevention and early detection, despite their acknowledged key role in cancer control globally. Finally, more equitable research funding is required to align with the global burden of breast cancer, with increased funding for low- and middle-income countries, which account for an increasing proportion of this burden. These data should be considered by funders and policymakers in the allocation of finite resources, which must be invested wisely. Citation Format: Stuart McIntosh, Ellen Copson, Ramsey Cutress, Michael Head. The allocation of US $2.6 billion in global funding for breast cancer research between 2016 – 2020: are we investing wisely for breast cancer patients? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO3-10-09.

A mixed funding pattern: China's exercise of power within the United Nations

AbstractChina's financial contributions to the United Nations have increased in tandem with its growing economic might. However, their composition differs from that of other large (Western) contributors, being predominantly made up of mandatory fees and to a much lesser degree of voluntary core and earmarked contributions. What types of power does China seek and exercise through these different funding modalities? This article uses the conceptual power framework developed by Barnett and Duvall to answer this question. We argue that China's UN funding strategy reflects a careful balance between its commitments as a ‘responsible great power’ contributing to multilateralism and its desire to expand its influence within the UN system. We suggest that China exercises compulsory and structural power through assessed contributions and acquires some limited institutional and structural power via voluntary core contributions, while its voluntary earmarked contributions relate, to varying degrees, to all four power types — compulsory, structural, institutional, and productive. We also discuss key reasons behind the limited nature of China's voluntary funding. Based on our analysis, we suggest that the overall increase in China's funding contributes to changes in China's favor but, so far, has not led to more substantive power shifts at the UN.

Analysis of the Reorientation of the National Vocational Training Development Program

ILO found that only 59% of graduates from BLK at the level of UPTD and UPTP - which transformed into BPVP, could be absorbed by industries in 2022 due to the mismatch of competencies with the needs of the labor market. Therefore, the reorientation of the National Vocational Training Development Program is urgently needed to create skilled and competent human resources (HR) in line with the needs of industries and the labor markets. The purpose of this study is, to analyze the issues arising in the management of HR in vocational training institutions in creating skilled and competent HR, along the absorption of BLK graduates into companies/industries. This study uses a descriptive analysis method aimed at analyzing the management of HR in BLK. The results of the study indicate that BLK management has not yet adhered to standardized norms, the level of absorption of BLK graduates into companies/industries is still low, and there is a mismatch between the competencies of BLK graduates and the labor market. The implications of the study results for the Ministry of Manpower are: (1) refocusing training targets based on training needs analysis and national development priorities; (2) standardizing training programs considering the typology of BLK and the distribution of vocational training institutions; (3) identifying potential training needs and revitalizing training resources in vocational training institutions; (4) mainstreaming vocational training and apprenticeships by developing funding patterns and partnership programs between the government and the business/industrial sector, also the central and regional governments.

Follicular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: First Relapse and Beyond

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent subtype of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) and the second most common type of lymphoma overall. In Canada the age‑standardized incidence of FL is 38.3 cases per million individuals per year with mean age at diagnosis of 60 and similar incidence in men and women. Follicular lymphoma is treatable but not curable with systemic therapy yet it maintains a median overall survival (OS) of approximately 20 years. Historically, this long median survival has been maintained through periods of watchful waiting and subsequent treatment with chemoimmunotherapy when the disease burden becomes symptomatic. Serial relapses with progressively shorter remissions and more resistant disease is the usual natural history for FL. The management of relapsed FL remains controversial and the decision on next line of therapy is a rapidly evolving area, with the old standard repetition of chemoimmunotherapy being contested by new targeted therapies. There remains a challenge for Canadian patients to access these novel therapies outside of clinical trials and access programs. This review will present a treatment approach for relapsed FL taking into consideration Canadian funding patterns, in addition to reviewing the novel drugs with the highest level and most mature evidence to date.

Funding Pattern Comparison Pre- and Post-Ayushman Bharat National Health Scheme (AB-PMJAY) in Active Females Undergoing TKA for Advanced Knee Arthritis with Clinical, QoL Analysis and AB-PMJAY Technical Data.

Patients visiting for Knee Arthroplasty have often been treated at neighborhood clinics and bonesetters. India floated world's largest publicly funded national health insurance program -AB-PMJAY covering Knee Arthroplasty. AB-PMJAY's data for Arthroplasty has not been published. A Prospective study from Jan 2016- Jan 2023 on females undergoing TKA. Age, DEXA Score, Walking Ability, KSS, 10MWT, SF36 Scores, Funding Pattern before and after AB-PMJAY, Time to Approval, Time to discharge, Time to Query reply and Rejection Rates were documented. 790 patients (91.86%) received treatment previously. 650 (78.54%) patients lived with family & 32 patients lost to follow-up. 37.67% & 62.32% patients had Grade. 3 & 4 osteoarthritis respectively. Commonest comorbidity was Vitamin D deficiency followed by Menopause and Hypertension. Post-treatment Vitamin D deficiency reduced from 68.59% to 2.17% at 3 months. Post-surgery, Functional Scores improved significantly at 1st and 6th month. VAS dropped significantly from 7.8 to 3.6 at 1st month follow up. At 6 months, 81.52% patients were independent outdoor walkers compared to 9.42% (baseline). Average hospital stay-54 hours and Return to work- 42 days. Central health scheme beneficiaries rose significantly from 12% (pre-PMJAY) to 42% (post-PMJAY). With AB-PMJAY, no rejection for surgical procedures, Time to surgery approval was 16 hours (mean) and Time to Discharge was 8 hours (mean). Time to reply was 6 hours (mean). Evident rise in patients getting TKA done through AB-PMJAY. TKA has become an affordable and achievable target for financially deprived patients, post regulation of knee implant prices & AB-PMJAY.

An In-Depth Analysis of Public and Private Research Funding in Orthopaedic Surgery from 2015 to 2021.

Understanding the trends and patterns of research funding can aid in enhancing growth and innovation in orthopaedic research. We sought to analyze financial trends in public orthopaedic surgery funding and characterize trends in private funding distribution among orthopaedic surgeons and hospitals to explore potential disparities across orthopaedic subspecialties. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of private and public orthopaedic research funding from 2015 to 2021 using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Open Payments database and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) RePORTER through the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, respectively. Institutions receiving funds from both the NIH and the private sector were classified separately as publicly funded and privately funded. Research payment characteristics were categorized according to their respective orthopaedic fellowship subspecialties. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and Mann-Kendall tests were employed. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Over the study period, $348,428,969 in private and $701,078,031 in public research payments were reported. There were 2,229 unique surgeons receiving funding at 906 different institutions. The data showed that a total of 2,154 male orthopaedic surgeons received $342,939,782 and 75 female orthopaedic surgeons received $5,489,187 from 198 different private entities. The difference in the median payment size between male and female orthopaedic surgeons was not significant. The top 1% of all practicing orthopaedic surgeons received 99% of all private funding in 2021. The top 20 publicly and top 20 privately funded institutions received 77% of the public and 37% of the private funding, respectively. Private funding was greatest (31.5%) for projects exploring adult reconstruction. While the amount of public research funding was more than double the amount of private research funding, the distribution of public research funding was concentrated in fewer institutions when compared with private research funding. This suggests the formation of orthopaedic centers of excellence (CoEs), which are programs that have high concentrations of talent and resources. Furthermore, the similar median payment by gender is indicative of equitable payment size. In the future, orthopaedic funding should follow a distribution model that aligns with the existing approach, giving priority to a nondiscriminatory stance regarding gender, and allocate funds toward CoEs. Securing research funding is vital for driving innovation in orthopaedic surgery, which is crucial for enhancing clinical interventions. Thus, understanding the patterns and distribution of research funding can help orthopaedic surgeons tailor their future projects to better align with current funding trends, thereby increasing the likelihood of securing support for their work.

PhD Student Funding Patterns: Placing Biomedical, Biological, and Biosystems Engineering in the Context of Engineering Sub-disciplines, Biological Sciences, and Other STEM Disciplines

Whether doctoral students are funded primarily by fellowships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships impacts their degree completion, time to degree, learning outcomes, and short- and long-term career outcomes. Variations in funding patterns have been studied at the broad field level but not comparing engineering sub-disciplines. We addressed two research questions: How do PhD student funding mechanisms vary across engineering sub-disciplines? And how does variation in funding mechanisms across engineering sub-disciplines map onto the larger STEM disciplinary landscape? We analyzed 103,373 engineering and computing responses to the U.S. Survey of Earned Doctorates collected between 2007 and 2016. We conducted analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc comparisons to examine variation in funding across sub-disciplines. Then, we conducted a k-means cluster analysis on percentage variables for fellowship, research, and teaching assistantship funding mechanism with STEM sub-discipline as the unit of analysis. A statistically significantly greater percentage of biomedical/biological engineering doctoral students were funded via a fellowship, compared to every other engineering sub-discipline. Consequently, biomedical/biological engineering had significantly lower proportions of students supported via research and teaching assistantships than nearly all other engineering sub-disciplines. We identified five clusters. The majority of engineering sub-disciplines grouped together into a cluster with high research assistantships and low teaching assistantships. Biomedical/biological engineering clustered in the high fellowships grouping with most other biological sciences but no other engineering sub-disciplines. Biomedical/biological engineering behaves much more like biological and life sciences in utilizing fellowships to fund graduate students, far more than other engineering sub-disciplines. Our study provides further evidence of the prevalence of fellowships in life sciences and how it stretches into biomedical/biological engineering. The majority of engineering sub-disciplines relied more on research assistantships to fund graduate study. The lack of uniformity provides an opportunity to diversify student experiences during their graduate programs but also necessitates an awareness to the advantages and disadvantages that different funding portfolios can bestow on students.

Examining who is conducting and leading National Institute of Health-funded research in U.S. schools of nursing

BackgroundNursing science is essential for generating a unique body of knowledge that is foundational to the academic discipline of nursing. PurposeThe goal of this analysis is to detail the education and licensing of faculty and leadership in research-intensive schools of nursing and to present the current data on the National Institute of Health (NIH) funding patterns in schools of nursing. MethodsThe faculty composition analysis focused on the 40 U.S. schools of nursing receiving the most NIH funding through faculty serving as PIs on grants awarded in 2023. For the NIH funding patterns analysis, data were extracted from the NIH RePORTER database. DiscussionOf the top 30 NIH-funded Schools of Nursing, all the Deans and Associate Deans of Academic Affairs are educated or licensed as nurses; whereas only 55% of Associate Deans of Research are educated or licensed as nurses. In 2022, nearly half of the top-ranked schools of nursing had less than half of their NIH funding awarded to faculty who are trained and licensed as nurses ConlusionThe current trends in the research enterprise in schools of nursing implore us to assess if we are adequately training nurses to advance nursing science and more importantly to serve as leaders of nursing science.

Funding for Refugee Health Research From the National Institutes of Health Between 2000 and 2020

The US has historically resettled more refugees than any other country, with over 3.5 million refugees since 1980. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the largest public funder of biomedical research and development, but its role in mitigating many health disparities refugees experience through its funded research remains unknown. To examine the NIH's research funding patterns on refugee health research over the last 2 decades. Secondary analysis of NIH-funded grants between 2000 and 2020 using a cross-sectional study design. The NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools database was used to find relevant grants. Data were analyzed from November 2021 to September 2022. NIH grants awarded by year, state, grant type, research area, funding institute, grant duration, and amount funded. Of 1.7 million NIH grants funded over the 20-year study period, only 78 addressed refugee health. Funded grants were mostly training grants (23 grants [29%]), followed by hypothesis-driven research (R01 grants; 22 grants [28%]), pilot or preliminary investigation proposals (13 grants [17%]), and other types of grants (20 grants [26%]). The most studied research domain was mental health (36 grants [46%]), followed by refugee family dynamics and women's and children's health (14 grants [18%]). A total of 26 grants (33%) were funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and 15 (19%) were funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Most grants were US-based (60 grants [76%]) and the state of Massachusetts received the greatest amount of funding ($14 825 852 [18%]). In 2020, the NIH allocated about $2.3 million to refugee health research, or less than 0.01% of its $42 billion budget that year. The number of grants funded in each time period did not always reflect changes in the number of refugees resettled in the US over the years. This cross-sectional study found that there remain significant gaps in the understanding of and interventions in the health research needs of refugees locally and along the migratory route. To close these gaps, the NIH should increase its investments in comprehensive studies assessing the physical, mental, and social well-being of this expanding population. This can be achieved by ensuring that all NIH institutes allocate budgets specifically for refugee health research and extend support for the training of refugee researchers.

Placing the US Federal Investment in Religion, Spirituality, and Health Research in Context: A Systematic Review and Comparison with Social Support and Optimism Funding Levels.

Religion and spirituality (R/S) have been linked to better physical and mental health. The US government has funded several research studies that include a focus on R/S but the amount of support over the last several years appears to be declining. To better understand these funding trends for R/S and health research, we chose relevant comparisons from projects that include a focus on social support and optimism. We identified total amount of funding, change in funding patterns over time, and characteristics of funded projects from a large database of US research projects (Federal RePORTER). We reviewed 5093 projects for social support and 6030 projects for optimism before narrowing the number of eligible studies to 170 and 13, respectively. Social support projects received the largest investment of $205 million dollars. Funded awards for social support and optimism remained stable over time while R/S decreased (p = 0.01), intervention research was more characteristic and studies of African-American/Black participants were less characteristic of funded projects in social support than of R/S (ps < 0.001). Future research for R/S and health would likely benefit from continued focus on minority communities and on identifying and developing appropriate interventions to support individual and community health and well-being.

Mezzanine momentum: A cross continental examination of corporate financing trends

Aim/purpose – Aside from conventional debt financing, mezzanine debt funding is an essential, nontraditional, and innovative instrument for financing a corporation. Nonethe- less, the use and discussions on this particular type of financing are still limited. This study aims to investigate the nature and patterns of mezzanine debt financing and agreements at the global and regional levels, seeking to understand the trends and differ- ences in its funding flows and deal movements across various continents so that busi- nesses looking to grow abroad might use this analysis to identify places where mezza- nine finance is more accessible or advantageous. Moreover, investors can select the most appealing markets and conditions for mezzanine investments, thus improving their port- folios. Design/methodology/approach – Using seven global regions (e.g., Asia, Africa, Eu- rope, Middle East, North America, Oceania, and rest of the world (RoW)) annual data from 2006 to 2023, this study employs descriptive analysis and applies the one-way between groups ANOVA. Findings – The findings show notable differences in the flows of mezzanine debt fund- ings and deals across different geographical locations globally. Besides, it also explores that mezzanine debt financing and agreements in North America and Europe make up most of the contributions, while other regions are still at the early stage of development. Research implications – Policymakers and governments in regions like Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania, and the RoW should look into ways to increase the flow and growth of their agreements because the patterns and trends of funding and deals in those regions are considerably lower than North America and Europe. Originality/value/contribution – The literature on mezzanine debt mainly addresses its definition, features, facilities, disadvantages, and possible borrowers. This study investi- gates the recent pattern and trend of mezzanine debt funding and its deals globally based on different geographical locations. Keywords: mezzanine, mezzanine financing, mezzanine debt, mezzanine deals. JEL Classification: D24, G11, H63.

Crowdfunding as a Social Phenomenon: A Bibliometric Exploration of Research Trends and Societal Implications

From a marginal to a relevant social phenomenon, crowdfunding has changed traditional funding patterns and caused far-reaching consequences in most areas of society. Actually, very little is known about the multi-faceted implications brought about by crowdfunding. Grounded on existing research, this paper contributes to an understanding of the overall societal impact created by crowdfunding through a bibliometric analysis. This methodology applies co-citation analysis, citation analysis, and keyword co-occurrence analysis to 561 journal publications retrieved from Scopus until August 2024. The results show that there are five major research clusters: Financial Technology and Consumer Behaviour, Entrepreneurial Finance and Innovation, Economic Impact and Business Models, Islamic Finance and Crowdfunding, and Social Impact and Public Goods. The paper contextualises crowdfunding within the framework of democratising access to capital, innovation, and social causes. It also underlines the integration of Islamic finance principles into crowdfunding models. The research set’s theoretical implications serve as the foundation for revised frameworks on entrepreneurship, venture capital, and social impact assessment, which incorporate the influence of crowdfunding. Platform operators, project creators, and investors need to adapt their strategies to evolving consumer behaviours, comprehend backer motivations, and take into account the wider societal impact of the projects they fund. The present research enables future studies of crowdfunding in terms of long-term impact and is a valuable insight for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to steer their way forward in this fast-changing field.

Research and Development Funding Patterns in BRICS Countries: Policy Lessons for South Africa’s Provincial Administration

Over the years, research and Development (R&amp;D) has been viewed as an enabler for economic growth and socio-economic development. Thus, the emergence of the knowledge economy across the globe has necessitated the need for countries to introspect on their readiness and preparedness to use research and development as a strategic tool for growth and socio-economic development. Scholars posit that R&amp;D is a cornerstone for development around the globe because it has been widely documented that economic growth has been evident in countries that have invested in R&amp;D. Thus, R&amp;D is an integral part of socio-economic development. This is why the spine of this paper’s argument rests on the significance of research and development funding. This paper draws attention to the research and development funding in the BRICS countries.

A Trend Analysis of Business Funding Patterns and Sources Among Student Entrepreneurs at the Institute of Higher Learning Level : Implications for Entrepreneurship Education and Support Programs

Business funding plays a pivotal role in facilitating entrepreneurial ventures, enabling them to initiate or expand their businesses effectively. Diverse funding sources, such as personal savings, venture capital, business angels, business loans, and government assistance, have been recognized as crucial means of financial support. However, for student entrepreneurs currently pursuing higher education, the suitability of these funding options is subject to several complexities. The inexperience in commencing a business, the commitment to academic pursuits, and adherence to specific student policies and eligibility criteria necessitate a more tailored analysis. Therefore, this paper delves into a trend analysis of business funding exclusively among student entrepreneurs. Drawing on data sourced from the esteemed Malaysian Academy of SME &amp; Entrepreneurship Development (MASMED), at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia, this study investigates business funding sources, business funds secured, business categories, and the level of student involvement over multiple years. This empirical examination and subsequent discussion provide invaluable insights into discerning patterns and shifts in student entrepreneurial business funding strategies. By scrutinizing these trends, a prediction students' decisions to venture into entrepreneurship, particularly with regards to securing adequate business funding can be developed. Furthermore, this study's findings pave the way for more comprehensive investigations, guiding potential policy enforcements in both governmental and private sectors pertaining to business funding. Ultimately, the elucidation of these trends contributes to fostering an ecosystem conducive to the growth and sustenance of student-led enterprises, unlocking new avenues for economic and societal development.