1. Getting Funded: How to write a good grant
Xander HT Wehrens, M.D. Ph.D.
Dept. of Molecular Physiology
& Biophysics

2. Overview of Presentation
Applying for the Right Grant
Research Plan:
Hypothesis and Specific Aims
Background and Significance
Preliminary Data
Research Design and Methods
Resources and Facilities
Budget and Justification
Tips and Reference Materials

3. Applying for the Right Grant
Sponsor : research topic matches mission of agency/ foundation ?
Apply at the right career stage
Project feasible in 2-3 years
student
1st/Jr. postdoc
2nd/Sr. postdoc
Asst. professor
Assoc. prof.

4. Typical Fellowship Evaluation Criteria
Candidate
Track record (training, publications)
Potential to become independent scientist
Proposal
Merit
Relation to career development
Environment
Sponsor (other funding for project?)
Institute, department, collaborators

5. Reviewers Focus on the Four Cs
Clarity. Cross-reference current literature in laying out your premises.
Content. Organize your ideas around aims linked to your hypothesis.
Coherence of concepts. Present coherent set of ideas predicated by previous work.
Cutting edge. Be ready to take legitimate risks.

6. Hypothesis and Specific Aims
Focus reviewer on main points in 1 page
Introduction: Definition of problem/ critical need
Proposed Solution: Objectives and rationale
Specific Aims: Steps to addressing critical needs
Significance: Novelty, Expectations & Impact
Reviewers will often form a general opinion of the grant by the end of the Specific Aims page !

7. Hypothesis and Specific Aims
Introduction:
Highlight significance of problem, aligned with mission of the agency, critical need to solve this.
Solution:
Objective = Long term goal of research
Hypothesis:
Sound, specific
Specific Aims:
2-4 feasible aims, hypothesis-based, address critical need
Not interdependent, ‘win-win’ outcome
Significance:
Likely outcome, importance for human health?, NOVELTY

8. Background and Significance
Convey background of your research to 1) increase scientific knowledge, and 2) improve public health.
References reflect your knowledge of the field
State clearly gaps in knowledge in field
State significance explicitly
Well organized, with subheadings
Tell a story, keep it understandable
Provide justification, establish competence, educate reviewer

9. Fatal Flaws Problems with significance:
Not significant, not exciting, not new
Lack of compelling rationale
Incremental or low impact research
Innovation is not always critical, but results should have a compelling significance

10. Preliminary Data May take most time to prepare
Consider to write this section first
Data have to be pertinent to the application
Establish experience and competence
Draw on past productivity
Emphasize what is novel about your findings
Demonstrate feasibility of methods
All major methods needs to be included
Link your preliminary data to the experiments in the experimental design

11. Preliminary Data Important: Only show high (!) quality data
Show raw data + numbers if previously unpublished
Include controls on your experiments
Inclusion of important ‘negative’ experiments may be helpful
Include color pictures or other data of high quality/clarity
Figure legends must be self explanatory
Consider a final schematic model or cartoon to summarize your major point(s)
Underline for reviewer key points of each section

12. Research Design and Methods
Demonstrate knowledge and logic
DEVELOP aims
Divide into subheadings
Rationale (relation to hypothesis)
Methods (general approaches first)
Anticipated results
Problems and fitfalls
Time table

13. Resources and Facilities
Availability of major equipment
Space in mentors lab
Computer
Core facilities
Animal facilities
Collaborators

14. Budget and Justification
Direct vs. indirect costs
Direct: goes to PI
Indirect: goes to institution
Direct costs:
Salary for postdoc
Bench fees
Travel

15. Independent Grant
How do I distinguish myself from my mentor if I want to continue in the same research area?
Get a letter from your mentor explaining that he/she is pleased to know you continue project X which he/she will not pursue.

16. General Tips 1 Style: Start early, write, read, re-read, revise
Use most recent form
Follow guidelines (font, size, margins, etc.)
Spell check, correct grammar
Highlight signposts (italic, bold, underlining)
One main idea per paragraph
Use topic sentences
Use transitions (e.g., in contrast, however, likewise, etc)
End paragraph with closing sentence
Start early, write, read, re-read, revise
Give yourself and sponsor enough time !

17. General Tips 2 Make sure your proposal addresses the following:
Impact on human health?
Novelty of the studies?
Expected advancement of the field?
Potential weaknesses in design + alternatives.
How the fellowship will help you advance your career

18. Common Mistakes Specific Aims too ambitious or vague
Lack of compelling rationale (significance)
Little or no expertise with approach
Lack of original ideas (innovation)
No letters from collaborators
Little institutional support

19. References Making the Right Moves, 2nd Ed (2006) Bonetta L. (Ed.)