The impact of a Concept Award grant program on the University of British Columbia Department of Surgery

Background: The Department of Surgery at the University of British Columbia distributed Concept Award funds over a 5-year period (2003 to 2008) to support faculty pursuing innovative research. In January 2012, a study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of the Concept Award seed grant program on research in the department. Methods: A questionnaire was used to ask award recipients about the outcomes of their funded research: projects completed, publications and presentations generated, and further funding received. Data were gathered about peer-reviewed grants and industry funds obtained by Concept Award projects, and about the number of department trainees involved in the funded research. Results: Of 28 Concept Award recipients who received funds, 17 (61%) responded to the survey. The majority of respondents (71%) would apply again for a Concept Award, and an even larger number (94%) recommended that the program be reintroduced. Respondents received a total of $142 000 in Concept Award funding. Subsequently, they received $2 201 765 in external funding ($2 133 015 in peer-reviewed grants and $68 750 in industry funds). This net financial gain of $2 059 765 represents a 1550% return on the initial seed grant investment. Concept Award projects involved 21 trainees in the department and generated 46 publications and 45 presentations. Conclusions: The Concept Award program had a positive impact on research conducted by recipients. Trainees were involved in the projects and external funds were obtained for follow-up research. Limitations of the study include its retrospective nature and survey response rate of 61%. Further prospective study of the impact of seed grant programs could lead to improved academic productivity and increased research funding for investigators and their departments.