GAO: Gender gap in research funding impossible to track at some agencies

Half of the largest federal agencies doling out research funding for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) do not track demographic data on those awarded grants, according to the Government Accountability Office. 

The report released Monday was commissioned by a group of House Democrats who are looking to increase female and minority voices in STEM fields. 

{mosads}While no comprehensive research has been done on the demographic makeup of federal STEM grant recipients, the GAO previously found women are underrepresented in those fields in general. 

The report found the National Institute of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Agriculture each collected information on sex and race of grant winners. 

Those agencies make up about 85 percent of the $25 billion in STEM research funding handed out in fiscal year 2012.  NIH provides the vast majority of it, totaling nearly $16 billion in that year. 

While the agencies do not require the demographic information, they said applicants supply the information more often than not. 

On the other hand, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and NASA do not collect that type of data, citing various reasons. Some noted they are not legally required to do so, while others expressed confusion over whether they were allowed to legally do so. 

The ranking Democrat on the House Science Committee, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas), requested the study as well as a broader review of the demographic breakdown in federal research funding.  

She and a host of other Democrats have introduced legislation that would require agencies to collect more demographic information on people who are awarded research grants. 

“Despite years of talking about such disparities and even taking steps in an effort to address them, underrepresentation of women and minorities remains high in most STEM fields. As a Nation, we cannot afford to continue hemorrhaging so much talent,” she said in a statement announcing her legislation in January.