The United States is the epicenter of groundbreaking biopharmaceutical research, and maintaining this leadership requires investment in the future scientific workforce. This year marks the 60th year that the PhRMA Foundation has helped build and train this workforce. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Foundation provides grants and fellowships to graduate students, postdoctoral trainees and new faculty members conducting novel research, setting the stage for tomorrow’s biomedical breakthroughs that will improve patients’ lives.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, the Foundation released a report providing a brief history and timeline of the its work, including why the organization was created in the wake of the thalidomide tragedy, its unique role in supporting young researchers and how it seeded and grew emerging fields of research such as pharmacology, pharmaceutics, bioinformatics, health outcomes research and more.
The report also contains results from a survey of current and former award recipients about their career achievements and the impact of their Foundation award. Since 1965, the Foundation has helped launch the careers of thousands of accomplished scientists. Former awardees work at research universities uncovering biological mechanisms that could be the basis for new drug targets and training the next generation of scientists. Some work at pharmaceutical companies developing new treatments and shepherding them through clinical trials. Others work at the NIH overseeing government research programs and at the FDA reviewing submissions and guiding policy.
Here are some key takeaways from the Foundation’s report:
- Two-thirds of Foundation award recipients now work in industry or partner with industry. About 71% work in academia and 3% in government.
- 84% of award recipients remain engaged in research. Awardees reported success in securing research funding after their Foundation award, with 71% funded by NIH and 37% funded by pharmaceutical companies.
- PhRMA Foundation awardees conduct research that pushes their field forward. 35% said their research generated one or more patents, 25% said their research resulted in one or more clinical trials, and 15% said their research led to one or more startup companies.
- 78% of award recipients mentor young scientists. They reported training more than 11,000 students and postdocs.
- PhRMA Foundation awards play a pivotal role in the career development of recipients. 97% agreed that receiving a Foundation award increased their confidence and their research potential.
To this day, the PhRMA Foundation has stayed true to its mission of funding future scientific leaders who conduct innovative research that could fundamentally change health care. The Foundation looks forward to another 60 years of funding young investigators, keeping bright minds on career paths where they can make scientific discoveries and influence policy to improve patient health.
Learn more about the PhRMA Foundation.
Emily Ortman
Emily Ortman is Head of Communications for the PhRMA Foundation, where she elevates the organization's profile by highlighting the early career scientists and innovative research funded by the Foundation. With over a decade of nonprofit experience, Emily is a seasoned communications leader who has worked for organizations including National Pharmaceutical Council, Society for Women’s Health Research and Society for Neuroscience in communicating about research, health care and policy issues to diverse audiences. Emily began her career in journalism as an editor at Roll Call newspaper in Washington, D.C., and The Journal Gazette in Indiana. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Ball State University.
Emily Ortman