Improving Competitiveness

Maine ranks 38^th in the nation for grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health. INBRE is helping to improve that statistic and ensure that Maine scientists become more competitive in their quest for federal research grants. Two key indicators of the improving productivity and competitiveness of Maine scientists are the number of publications accepted by peer-reviewed scientific journals and the number of successful grant applications.

In the last decade:

1. The number of accepted publications submitted by INBRE-funded scientists nearly tripled;
2. The number of published papers with undergraduate authors increased five-fold;
3. One-third of INBRE-funded scientists “graduated” from the program with their own independent research grants;
4. $25 million in grants were awarded in Maine as a result of INBRE funded research.

Read more about the successes of past INBRE Investigators…

Publications on Maine INBRE Research

Published Research Articles

Creating an Innovation Economy in Maine

Over the last decade, the INBRE program has:

1. Provided Maine with $68 million in direct research and training funding;
2. Created and sustained over 100 jobs in Maine’s research and educational sectors;
3. Created an outstanding model for public-private partnerships;
4. Provided an important catalyst for spurring research and innovation throughout Maine;
5. Together with other Maine IDeA programs, allowed Maine research and educational institutions to successfully compete for 1,872 federal research grants, bringing tens of millions of dollars into our state.

Creating a Technically Skilled Workforce

Since 2001, over 2,000 Maine students received hands-on biomedical research training through the INBRE program. In addition to teaching specialized research techniques, INBRE training also encourages students to ask thoughtful questions, think critically, develop meticulous attention to detail, and generate good problem-solving skills—valuable assets to any employer.

Careful tracking of students participating in the INBRE program shows an increase in both the number of science-related degrees awarded in Maine as well as an increase in the number of students pursuing careers in health-related fields. Of all students who have participated in the INBRE program, 51% are still undergraduates. Of those who have graduated, 90% are pursuing higher education or careers in health-related fields, with:

• 42% pursuing post-baccalaureate degrees in the sciences, including Ph.D., M.D., and joint Ph.D./M.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences, nursing, public health, and clinical veterinarian programs
• 6% pursuing advanced degrees in biology
• 33% employed as research technicians in laboratories
• 8% pursuing a variety of science-related careers, including environmental science, science journalism, and teaching science
• 16% are employed full-time in Maine