Inequalities in Italian competitive research funding: evidence from the PRINWINNERS dataset

Abstract

The adoption of competitive grants for allocating public research funds is based on the assumption that competition enhances the efficiency of public expenditure, promoting higher quality in research processes and outcomes. However, the literature on the topic has pointed out some drawbacks of the competitive model. This analysis focuses on the indirect effect of competitive funding in enforcing inequalities among academic institutions and disciplinary macro-sectors in Italy. The study presents the PRINWINNERS dataset, encompassing approximately 6,500 research projects funded to over 18,500 recipients across 4 rounds of the PRIN programme from 2017 to 2022, including the extraordinary NRRP-labelled round in 2022. The general PRIN regulation sets an equitable distribution of funds across Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering, and Social Sciences and Humanities, but such equity is not always reflected within these areas. Using the proportion of tenured professors as benchmark, some disciplinary macro-sectors have benefited more from competition than others within the same area. A considerable amount of variability is observed in the median funding per recipient across academic institutions. Data analysis also shows that the universities specialised in bio-medical or technological research receive high median funding whereas those specialised in social sciences receive less, with Bocconi University being a noteworthy outlier. However, disciplinary specialisation alone does not predict the allocations well enough, indicating the need to investigate additional factors to better understand the dynamics shaping competitive outcomes.