Rabeeh Parhizkari, Gita Ghiasi
Abstract
Funding agencies aim to maximize scientific output from the resources they allocate, a goal that may inadvertently reinforce cumulative advantage within funding systems. Focusing on research areas within Natural Sciences and Engineering (NSE), this study examines the distribution of Canadian research funding over time, with particular attention to the extent to which certain subjects gain prominence as emerging or high-growth fields, while others experience relative stagnation or decline. The results indicate that many research subject groups receiving decreased funding in recent years are concentrated in the pure sciences and mathematics. In contrast, social sciences and medical sciences, which initially had relatively low average funding per grant application, have demonstrated increasing funding trends over time. These findings offer valuable insights for funding agencies seeking to design policies that promote more effective and equitable allocation of resources.