Do young investigators have a realistic chance of getting a grant?
Most reviewers and grant makers want beginning investigators to succeed. Many agencies and professional societies offer types of grants targeted to investigators at the beginning of their careers. Often (not always: there are no guarantees) reviewers cut some slack for junior investigators, and, in fact, may be instructed to do so. Finally, remember that the success rate for new and competing grants submitted from UW is about 50% overall, better than general figures quoted for NIH or other agencies.
