1. Making Hay After Your K Award
Elizabeth A. Phelan, MD, MS
Associate Professor, Medicine/Gerontology
July 10, 2008

2. You have your K – what now?
Collaborate
Communicate
Avoid over-extending (admin, clinical)
Cultivate >1 mentor
Seek opportunities for national exposure
Understand requirements for promotion at your institution
Apply for independent funding

3. Collaborate Research where you contribute unique expertise
Disciplines other than your own
Work styles that are comparable
Benefits:
Shared vision/passion
Momentum of the group
Increased productivity

4. Communicate Publications Presentations
Meetings with boss and mentors – keep them informed and thinking about you

5. Avoid Over-Extending K awards mandate 75-80% time on research
Create a personal timeline and calendar
Consider all invitations carefully
Get input from your career mentor
Say no when appropriate

6. More Than One Mentor Career mentor Research mentor
Senior with “currency”
Less senior but closer to where you are at and more available

7. National Exposure How Invitations your mentors can’t accept
Discuss with them specifically
Why
Personal visibility
Meet national leaders in your field

8. Understand Promotion Requirements
Know what you’re working toward
DOM:
>20 publications
Demonstrated leadership
Funding stream
Concurrence of others who know your work outside of your own institution
Determine how you’ll get there

9. Apply for Independent Funding
Value of a good idea
Need for preliminary data
Consider NIH and non-government sources
Apply early

10. Getting Your First R01
Demonstrate some publications without your mentor
Build on what you’ve done for your K
Clear precise aims (have others read)
Clear rationale
Become familiar with criteria used to score grants

11. Getting Your First R01 Discuss with a program officer
Submit early (resubmission likely)
Apply under an RFA if you can find one
Mark new investigator
Direct application to an appropriate study section
Apply for non-NIH funding too