Cracking the code: Can bibliometric attributes predict NIH R01 grant funding outcomes in gastrointestinal oncology? Exploring patterns from a five-year analysis.

9051 Background: The allocation of National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grants holds paramount importance for principal investigators in the field of scientific research. In this study, we explore the relationship between bibliometric attributes of principal investigators- specifically H-index, citations, publications, and seniority with the amount of NIH grant funding for R01 grants under gastrointestinal oncology from the fiscal years of 2018 to 2022. Understanding these interrelationships is crucial for researchers aiming to enhance their profiles to secure higher funding amounts from the NIH. Methods: The data was retrieved from the NIH RePORTER (Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditure) using gastrointestinal oncology-related search terms from 2018-2022. The number of citations, publications, H-index, and seniority were obtained from Scopus. The bibliometric attributes of principal investigators were correlated with NIH grant funding amounts. Multiple regression analysis was employed to quantify the predictive power. Additionally, t-tests were performed to examine the significant differences in grant funding between high and low h-index groups. Results: A total of 1652 principal investigators who were awarded a gastrointestinal oncology related R01 grant were included in this study. The H-index consistently showcases a positive correlation with the amount of grant funding, reaching statistical significance in 2020 (H-index coefficient=1510. 49, p value=0. 07). Concurrently, t-tests emphasize the importance of H-index, illustrating that PI’s with high H-indexes (H-index >42) secure significantly higher funding (average grant=423, 806, p=0. 006 compared to those in the lower H-index group (average grant=420, 306, p=0. 004). Conversely, citations showcased mixed results, with 2020 revealing a significant negative correlation (coefficient: -1. 63, p= 0. 04). Publications displayed a strong positive effect in 2021 (coefficient: 231. 68, p value=0. 10). Seniority exhibited varying impacts across years, notably a significant negative relationship in 2018 (coefficient: -3013. 9, p=0. 025). Conclusions: This study illuminates the complex interplay between PI’s bibliometric attributes and NIH grant funding outcomes. Notably, high h-index values consistently correlate with a higher funding amount for NIH grants. Although these insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors influencing NIH grants, further analysis should investigate additional variables that may significantly impact NIH grant funding.