NIH Changes Extension Policy to Better Support Women PIs

The revision allows more time on previous extensions due to COVID-19 and other life events such as childbirth that disproportionately impact early-career women in science.

Written byChloe Tenn

| 2 min read

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Women with children have keenly felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased caregiver responsibilities disproportionately cutting into women’s time for paid work. On September 17, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) responded to criticisms that a policy limiting extensions on preferred status for early-career grantees disadvantages women applicants by making a change that allows extensions to an already-extended status.

Early-stage investigators, or ESIs, are applicants for NIH research grants who have completed their research degrees or clinical training within the past 10 years and have not previously been awarded an independent NIH research award. The NIH prioritizes applicants with ESI status in reviewing applications for some grant types, including R01s.

Scientists can appeal for extensions to their ESI status for reasons such as medical concerns, disability, extended clinical training time, natural disasters, and military service. A petition posted by Albert Einstein College of Medicine ...

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Meet the Author

Chloe Tenn
Chloe Tenn is a graduate of North Carolina State University, where she studied neurobiology, English, and forensic science. Fascinated by the intersection of science and society, she has written for organizations such as NC Sea Grant and the Smithsonian. Chloe also works as a freelancer with AZoNetwork, where she ghostwrites content for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food, energy, and environmental companies. She recently completed her MSc Science Communication from the University of Manchester, where she researched how online communication impacts disease stigma. You can check out more of her work here.
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