Approach Section: The “Meat” of the Proposal INBRE Grant Writing Workshops 2015 Helen Beneš, Ph.D. Director, AR INBRE Developmental Research Project Program (DRPP) Professor, Dept. of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences Tel: (501) (501)

Purpose of the Approach section: To describe the Preliminary Studies that justify/support the experiments designed for each Specific Aim To describe the research project as proposed to be carried out in the PI’s laboratory: a logical flow of experiments designed to reach specific benchmarks The Approach explains the Specific Aims page & convinces the Reviewer that the work should and can be done by the PI’s research team INBRE Grant Writing Workshops 2015

Content of the Approach section: Well-organized, clear description of  the Rationale (Why do these experiments?), Project should be driven by an overarching Hypothesis  the Experimental Strategy,  the Methodology and Analyses to be used to accomplish the Specific Aims: Describe Benchmarks for success in accomplishing each Aim Include how data will be collected, analyzed and interpreted or Methodology Describe Potential Problems, Alternative Results and Alternative Strategies, as may be needed The Reviewer must be convinced that PI and his/her research team have anticipated different outcomes than expected.

Organization of the Approach Section  Must include Preliminary Studies – including references to publications from PI’s laboratory supporting Experimental Design  Preliminary Studies can be an Introductory Section or embedded to support each Aim  Include Rationale for experiments chosen to achieve each Aim  Describe Experimental Design for each Aim which can have Sub-Aims, each with an hypothesis INBRE Grant Writing Workshops 2015

Organization of the Approach (cont.)  Include Methodology – including references to publications from PI’s laboratory supporting ability to use or perform necessary, specific techniques  Include Time-Line to show realistic planning and feasibility

For examples of Excellent Funded Grants, go to link for Grant Proposals & their Summary Statements: /appsamples.aspx /appsamples.aspx INBRE Grant Writing Workshops 2015

Example of a Well-Written Approach See Handout: Ex of Approach - Gon_R01_Dec_11_14 gvc