1. Doris M. Rubio, PhD ACTS Translational Science 2014
Moving from K to R: University of Pittsburgh
Doris M. Rubio, PhD
ACTS Translational Science 2014

2. No disclosures to report

3. Moving from K to R – The Issues
When to apply for the R?
Should mentors be coinvestigators?
Should you stop publishing with your mentors?

4. K to R
The biggest question… How to do a study 10x the size with ½ the effort?

5. Getting the R Persevere Establish relationship with PO
Find a biostatistician
Participate in K to R program

6. Why Programs for K to R? Success for K awards K23 awardees awarded R01
28.5% (FY13)
K23 awardees awarded R01
18% (FY2000-FY2005)
K23s who remain unfunded
68%
Length of time after K23 until First R01 funded
4.4 years
Average age at time of First R01 funding
41 years old

7. How to Structure the Program
Who should participate?
KL2/K12 Scholars, Other K awardees
What is the right time to participate?
In the 3rd year of the K
Should similar people be grouped?
Yes – sensitive to specific issues No
Absent of diverse perspectives
No guarantee of background of reviewers
Forces writer to be clearer and avoid jargon
Avoids like-minded thinking

8. Important Components to Program
Concept review
Involve a Biostatistician
Regular group meetings
Frequently review aims
Forces continued progress
Imposes deadlines
“Contract” with K awardees
Define expectations (e.g. submission, role of mentors)
Firm deadlines

9. Important Components to Program
K awardees review each other’s grants
Mentors involvement
Grant writer/editor
Mock review prior to submission
Science part of grant
No budgets
Could include human subjects

10. The Mock Review No less than 6 weeks prior to submission Reviewers:
2-4 senior reviewers (not mentors)
Biostatistician
One other K awardee (for peer review)
Reviewers get proposal 1 week prior to review
Must complete NIH’s R01 reviewer template

11. The Mock Review Mentors & K awardee attend - Silent
20 minutes – NIH review (use R01 template)
Initial level of enthusiasm
Review grant
Summarize issues
Final level of enthusiasm
40 min discussion with K awardee & mentors
Video taped
Other K awardees invited

12. A Successful R investigator
Hire good people
Get the right people on the bus, and in the right seats! (Good to Great)
Work smart:
Use the CTSA to locate needed expertise
Establish a timeline with milestones

13. R to R When to submit the next R? At least 2 people review (not Co-Is)
Preliminary data
Productivity
Consider a competing renewal
Talk to PO
At least 2 people review (not Co-Is)
Another person just read aims
Grant Writer/Editor