1. HOW TO GET GRANTS Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry
Jeffrey I Weitz, MD, FRCP(C), FACP
Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry
McMaster University
Canada Research Chair in Thrombosis
Heart & Stroke Foundation/ J.F. Mustard Chair
in Cardiovascular Research

2. Outline 5 rules for success Timing for success
How to improve grantsmanship

3. Five Simple Rules for Getting Grants
Be novel, but not too novel
Follow submission guidelines
Include appropriate background and
preliminary data
Obey the 3 C’s – Concise, Clear,
Complete
Start early and get feedback from
colleagues

4. Novel, But Not Too Novel Grant science is new science
New science requires supportive data
Speculation will not get funded

5. Background Information and
Preliminary Data
Background information is critical
because reviewers may not be experts
Cite all relevant literature
Provide preliminary data and explain the
impact on current proposal

6. Follow Guidelines Check websites for guidelines and updates
Follow guidelines to the letter (length,
font size, format, etc.)

7. 3 C’s – Clear, Concise, Complete
Be clear and concise in what you want
to do and how you want to do it
Do not propose too much
Make sure studies are hypothesis-driven

8. Start Early and Obtain Feedback
It takes time to:
Develop an hypothesis
Generate preliminary data
Write a great grant

9. Timetable for Grant Preparation
12 Months
Identify the question and develop hypothesis
Complete and submit papers
9 Months
Obtain preliminary data
3 to 6 months
Prepare first draft and obtain feedback
2 months
Reread guidelines and follow carefully
Prepare budget and obtain quotes
1 month
Prepare final version
Proof read and obtain signatures
1 week
Submit and relax

10. How to Improve Grantsmanship
Know your grant administrators
Become a grant reviewer
Join a grant review committee
Accept rejection and deal with it
constructively