§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of applications, in relation to his Department's research budget, were from women, for(a) project grants, (b) programme grants, (c) special grants intended for new investigators, (d) studentships and (e) fellowships, in 1997 and each of the two previous years; [40877]
(2) what percentage of applications from women, in relation to his Department's research budget, were successful for (a) project grants, (b) programme grants, 538W (c)special grants intended for new investigators, (d) studentships and (e) fellowships, in 1997 and each of the two previous years. [40876]
§ Ms JowellThe Department does not consider applications for research grants as such. Research supported directly by the Department is commissioned according to Departmental needs. Research contracts are awarded on scientific merit, following competitive tendering exercises and peer review by qualified referees. The Department does not collect information on the gender of those bidding for Departmental research and development contracts.
The National Health Service research and development programme includes some provision at a regional level for research projects and capacity development which are awarded in response to applications from researchers. However, information on the gender of applicants is not collected.