1. Grant Writing for Success
LeShawndra N. Price, Ph.D., NIMH, NIH
Dana Plude, CSR, NIH
Henry Khachaturian, Ph.D., OEP/NIH

2. Take Home Messages Become a well-informed consumer
Learn about NIH Institutes’ and Centers’ missions, programs, and specific uses of funding mechanisms
Contact appropriate program staff early and often
Develop a plan for your research and career
Talk with potential mentors, collaborators, & peers
Take advantage of many available resources

3. Grant Writing for Success
Writing the Application:
Start Planning EARLY
Develop your good idea
Use the NIH webpage (
Talk to your NIH Program Official(s)
Provide a good presentation
Align with review criteria
Identify collaborators
Seek advice and feedback from colleagues
Funding & peer review 3 3

4. START PLANNING YOUR APPLICATION
Grantsmanship Tips 101
START PLANNING YOUR APPLICATION
EARLY
You’re more likely to get …
A compelling scientific question
Appropriate NIH Institute
Appropriate review committee
Adequate time to complete
A major stress reducer!
…a better grant application 4 4

5. “Anatomy” of Grant Process
Researcher
Idea
Institution
Program Staff
Program
Announcement
or RFA
Collaborators
Grant Application
(R01, R03, R21,
K01, K08, etc.)
Revision $
National
Advisory
Council
CSR
Referral
and Review
Program Staff

6. Assess Your Readiness…Then, Determine Your Goals
Success is Relative…
and
Local
You are here

7. Pre-Submission Planning Timeline
call NIH

8. Assess Your Readiness Research Experience Time Commitment Knowledge
Previous supported research/Principal Investigator
Research administration experience
Publications in proposed/related research areas
Time
Commitment
Knowledge

9. Assess Your Capacity Research support available to you
Institution (e.g., Office of Sponsored Research, office space, lab space, clerical assistance)
Graduate students/research staff support
Colleagues with research experience
Know who can help you at your institute and at the NIH

10. Make a Plan…Plan to Work…Work Your Plan
Use Your Time Effectively
Work Your Plan
Be Flexible Enough for Course Corrections

11. DEVELOPING YOUR GOOD IDEA INTO: A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION
Grantsmanship Tips 101
DEVELOPING YOUR GOOD IDEA INTO:
STRONG SCIENCE
A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION 11 11

12. Components of Strong Applications
Strong Idea + Strong Science = Strong Application

13. Good Idea Does it address an important problem?
Will scientific knowledge be advanced?
Does it build upon or expand current knowledge?
Is it feasible …
to implement?
to investigate?
in my hands/lab?

14. FURTHER DEVELOPING YOUR GOOD IDEA UNDERSTAND the MISSION of the NIH
Grantsmanship Tips 101
FURTHER DEVELOPING YOUR GOOD IDEA
UNDERSTAND the MISSION of the NIH 14 14

15. Understanding the Mission
Mission of each NIH IC is based and defined in law
Authorizations (create/continue an agency – periodic)
Appropriations ($ for the agency – annual)
ICs establish specific research emphases
Legislative mission
Current state of science
Use the Web to find out!

17. Look for the IC Website of Interest

18. GRANTS.NIH.GOV

19. Identifying NIH Initiatives
Most NIH Institutes establish specific research Initiatives and Priorities
Become knowledgeable about research and researcher development activities at NIH and ICs related to your research interests
Read the web pages regularly
Participate in IC workshops and programs (e.g., technical assistance workshops, webinars)
Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs)
Must respond to a FOA via Grants.gov 19

20. GRANTS.NIH.GOV

21. NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
Official publication listing NIH funding opportunities and policy notices
Request for Applications (RFA)
Program Announcements (PA, PAR, PAS)
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Notices (NOT)
Published daily, distributed weekly 21

22. NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts

23. Identify NIH Funded Grants
See what research projects the NIH or any Institute has funded
Get to know projects that are ongoing in your research area
Find potential collaborators for your project and/or competition in the field
Determine if there are any potential projects eligible for supplement opportunities 23

24. Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool (RePORT) http://report. nih
A searchable database of federally supported biomedical research
Access reports, data, analyses, expenditures, results of NIH supported research activities
Identify, analyze IC research portfolios, funding patterns, funded investigators:
Identify areas with many or few funded projects
Identify NIH-funded investigators and their research
Identify potential mentors/collaborators 24

25. NIH RePORTer

26. Search Results

27. Grantsmanship Tips 101 but follow up with personal contact
Searching NIH websites is a good start
but follow up with personal contact
Contact NIH program staff early
Ask what information would help them advise you about IC interest & “goodness of fit”
Are there related FOAs? 27 27

28. What should I talk about with a Program Official?
Give us a thumb nail sketch of what you have in mind
Does the idea fit the Institute’s interests?
Get information from us on FOAs
What kinds of grant mechanisms can be used and are there any priorities for those mechanisms?
Will the PO read a concept paper? Send one.
to set up a time to discuss—remember, this is advice, not obligation

29. What is a Concept Paper?
A short summary of a project that serves as a “calling card” for the investigator
Components
Initiative to which you are applying
Study Goals
Problem/Significance
Research Question
Hypotheses
Design/Analysis
Participants/Collaborators

30. Grantsmanship Tips 101 ARE YOU READY TO WRITE?
Grant writing is a learned skill
Writing grant applications, standard operating protocols and manuals of procedures that get approved are learned skills
Writing manuscripts that get published in peer reviewed journals is a learned skill
Grantsmanship is a full time job
Learn about the grant application process

31. Principles of Success Understand the agency mission
Every IC is different!
Understand the peer review process
Learn and practice the skills of writing applications for grant funds
Secure collaborators (mentors) to complement your expertise and experience
Don’t compete … collaborate! 31 31

32. Collaborate with Others
In your department
In other departments
Network at Meetings
Stay connected to past colleagues and mentors
Use technology (social networking sites)
Cultivate a strong network that understands the funding process

33. Remember … Before you start
Talk to Program Staff at appropriate IC
Read instructions for application form
Are you a New or Early Stage Investigator?
Know your audience
Which Integrated Review Group (IRG) is most likely to get your application?
Propose research about which you are
passionate and totally committed to doing 33 33

34. Grantsmanship Tips 101 PRESENTING Good ideas clearly is paramount!
DEVELOPING YOUR IDEA

35. Presentation Matters 3 Simple Steps 3 Simple Steps
Read the application instructions carefully
Don’t forget …
... read the application instructions carefully

36. Specific Aims Develop a Strong Research Plan
Grab the reader immediately
State long-term objectives AND expected impact
Explicitly state hypotheses and research question

37. Background/Significance
Develop a Strong Research Plan
Background/Significance
Why is this research important?
Expands on the specific aims
Identifies key themes of the literature and links to specific aims
Critically analyzes existing literature
Documents a solid theoretical basis for your study

38. Preliminary Studies/ Progress Report
Develop a Strong Research Plan
Preliminary Studies/
Progress Report
How previous work -- by you, your team, and others -- leads to this study
Demonstrate your experience, competence and likelihood of continued success
Must flow logically from literature review and major themes of the problem area

39. Approach Develop a Strong Research Plan
Does your plan flow logically from the literature review and prior studies?
How will each hypothesis be tested?
Do your measures capture the variables needed to test hypotheses?
Why did you choose those measures?
Methods and analyses must match

40. Approach- Clinical Studies
Develop a Strong Research Plan
Approach-
Clinical Studies
For clinical studies be explicit and thorough in discussing
intervention or system to be studied
target population
inclusion and exclusion criteria
independent and dependent variables
all measures and instruments
power analyses

41. Common Miscues Develop a Strong Research Plan Failure to …
Document why the problem is important
Distinguish empirical findings from speculation
Critically analyze key themes in literature
Consider alternative perspectives
Read, understand, and cite the crucial studies

42. More Miscues Develop a Strong Research Plan
Superficial of unfocused research plan
Lack of sufficient detail
Unrealistically large amount of work
Lack of new or original ideas
Outdated methodology
Poorly written, difficult to follow

43. Ask Collaborators to Review Your Application
Show your draft application to:
Your collaborators
A colleague that does not know what you intend to do
Someone who is not your best friend
Draft “reviewers” must understand:
What you intend to do
Why you believe it is important to do
Exactly how you’re going to do it.
If they don’t get it, you must revise your application!

44. Grantsmanship Tips 101
Align your application with the review criteria to maximize impact:
Significance
Investigator
Innovation
Approach
Environment

45. Align with Review Criteria
Overall Impact
5 Core Review Criteria:
Significance
Investigator
Innovation
Approach
Environment

46. Review Criteria for Career Development Awards
Candidate
Career Development Plan Goals and Objectives
Research Plan
Mentor(s), Co-mentor(s), Consultants, Collaborators
Environment & Institutional Commitment to Candidate
Review Criteria compared:

47. Final Priority Score OVERALL IMPACT
The likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved:
in consideration of the following five core review criteria, and
additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed)
Address this on your Specific Aims page!

48. Align with Review Criteria
Scored Criteria
Application
Significance
Research Strategy
Investigator(s)
Biosketch - Personal Statement
Letters of Support
Innovation
b. Innovation
Approach
c. Approach
Environment
Facilities & Other Resources 48

49. Other Review Considerations
Human subjects
Animal care and use
Select agents
Model organism sharing plan
Data sharing plan
The FOA will list the review criteria and any additional issues that reviewers will be asked to evaluate.

50. Grantsmanship Tips 101 GET FEEDBACK
Show your draft application to a colleague
Show your draft application to a colleague… who does not already know what you intend to do
Show your draft application to a colleague… who is not your best friend

51. Grantsmanship Tips 101 Your draft reviewers need to understand
What you intend to do
Why you believe it is important to do
Exactly how you are going to do it
If they don’t get it, you must revise your application.
Leave enough time for revisions

52. PROVIDE A GOOD PRESENTATION
Grantsmanship Tips 101
PROVIDE A GOOD PRESENTATION 52 52

53. Keys to Good Presentation
Be realistic … not overly ambitious
Discuss potential problem areas and possible solutions
Be explicit
Reviewers cannot read your mind!
Don’t expect reviewers to read between the lines
Don’t assume they know what you intend!

54. Get to the right review group
Title, abstract, specific aims all point to the main goals of your project
Attach a cover letter for the Center for Scientific Review Division of Receipt and Referral
suggest IC and review group assignment*
outline areas of key expertise needed for appropriate review
do not name specific reviewers
* Consult with Program Official

55. Understand the dynamics of peer review:
Reviewers will review many applications
Make your application easy to read and easy to understand
The impact and significance should be clear throughout the application
Convince them to be your advocate
Get them on your side!

56. GUIDANCE for a COMPETITIVE GRANT APPLICATION
Grantsmanship Tips 101
GUIDANCE for a COMPETITIVE GRANT APPLICATION 56 56

57. Hallmarks of a Competitive
Grant Application
Strong significance to an important problem in public health: IMPACT is high
High degree of novelty and innovation
Strong track record by a well qualified applicant
Clear rationale
Relevant and supportive preliminary data
Clear and focused approach that provides unambiguous results
Careful attention to details
Spelling, punctuation, grammar, fonts, clarity of data, error bars, spelling, etc

58. How to assure that your application is competitive?
Good ideas, well presented always win
Think clearly
Write clearly
Be complete but not verbose
Never lose sight of the significance
Point to the impact
Pay attention to details

59. Grantsmanship Tips 101
FUNDING DECISIONS 59 59

60. What Determines Which Applications Are Funded?
Scientific merit
Program considerations
Availability of funds

61. Remember how applications become grants
Funding Decisions are based on:
scientific merit and impact
program considerations
available funds
Funding Decisions are made by the Institute Director

62. Grantsmanship Tips 101
AFTER PEER REVIEW 62 62

63. After the Review Read the summary statement Wait for the AWARD, or
Reread the summary statement
Contact your program officer and be prepared to discuss:
what the reviewers said about your application (after you have summary statement)
Scores and percentiles
the likelihood of funding
the prospects of a revised application
Wait for the AWARD, or
Listen to advice from Program Officer about options

64. If Not Funded, Try Again! You are in good company Know your options
Get advice, Regroup
Contact your Program Officer
NIH Regional Seminars June 2013

65. Revising and Resubmitting
Write A Clear Introduction Section
Address All Criticisms Thoroughly
Respond Constructively
Acknowledge and Accept the Help of Reviewer Comments
Don’t Be Argumentative!
Don’t be Abrasive or Sarcastic!

66. Additional Supporting Material
Examples
Reviewers’ Concerns taken from Grant Applications and Summary Statements

67. # 1 There is not a CLEAR HYPOTHESIS, or WELL DEFINED GOALS
Provide a focused hypothesis, objectives
Describe the importance and relevance of your problem
Be clear on how your project will move the field forward 67

68. The specific aims do NOT TEST the Hypothesis, or
# 2
The specific aims do NOT TEST the Hypothesis, or
the specific aims DEPEND on results from previous aims
The best applications are those with independent specific aims that address the targeted goals 68

69. # 3 The project is OVERLY AMBITIOUS
Set realistic goals for the budget and project period you propose 69

70. PRELIMINARY DATA are lacking
# 4
PRELIMINARY DATA are lacking
Include preliminary data for all aims
Use preliminary data to show knowledge of methods and data analyses
But DO propose more than just confirming preliminary results 70

71. Investigator can do the
# 5
It is not clear that the
Investigator can do the
PROPOSED RESEARCH
Don’t propose what you can’t do
Include Collaborators and Consultants on your project
Describe the value of datasets and experimental models 71

72. # 6
The background section is MISSING KEY publications and experimental findings
Thoroughly describe the literature, especially controversies, but….
Support your views and ideas
Be sure you have included key references 72

73. Methodological details,
# 7
Methodological details,
alternative approaches, or interpretation of data
are INADEQUATELY DESCRIBED
Don’t assume the reviewers know the methods
Provide other experimental directions you might use should you encounter problems
Show the reviewers that you have thought about your research plan 73

74. Three Simple Rules to remember when planning, writing and submitting your application74

75. Style Matters
Proofread for typo’s – they are not only annoying but detract from intelligibility
Organization - look at CSR Reviewer Resources to see what the REVIEWERS are instructed to evaluate; map the organization of your application to the Reviewers’ expectations – Significance is critical
Reference citations – make sure the references agree with the citations in the text; missing or erroneous errors are costly
Make figures LEGIBLE with labeled axes

76. Size Matters
Mind the page limits – Grants.gov will reject the application
Do not ‘overstuff’ by shifting content to a section where it does not belong (e.g., using Human Subjects section or appendix to spell out details of methodology)
Use limited space thoughtfully and effectively – don’t waste space on reiterating points
Make your application ‘read like butter’

77. Substance Matters Focus on the MAIN objectives
Clearly link methods to AIMs/Objectives
Know your audience – 3 (or so) assigned reviewers not all of whom have focal expertise in your area.
Be FOCUSED, CONCISE AND SUCCINCT

78. "Simple can be harder than complex
"Simple can be harder than complex.  You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.  But it's worth it in the end, because once you get there, you can move mountains."

79. Where Do I Get More Information?
NIH homepage: Office of Extramural Research (OER): CSR website:

80. Writing a Successful Career (K) Application
What is Different about K awards?
Strategy
Planning
Application Requirement
Review Criteria

81. Timeline for K Applications
Review:
Jun/July
Oct/Nov
Feb/Mar
Receipt Date:
Feb 12 (Mar 12)
Jun 12 (Jul 12)
Oct 12 (Nov 12)
Council:
October
January
May
Award Date:
December
April
July

82. Develop a Strategy (1 of 2)
Assess your career situation and needs. Find an experienced mentor(s) and collaborators.
Asses the field and the competition. See what is being funded by NIH: Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT).
What are your strengths and weaknesses? Can you fill in any gaps with collaborators or consultants?
Find out what resources and support your organization has and what additional support you will need.

83. Develop a Strategy (2 of 2)
Is there an added value to your receiving a K award? Why not another funding mechanisms?
Give yourself plenty of time to write the application, probably three to six months.
Know your organization's key contacts and internal procedures for electronic application.
Call an NIH Program Officer to discuss you research training needs and career development plans.

84. Plan Your Application
Coordinate the application with your mentor’s schedule. Remember that a K application is a collaboration between you and your mentor.
Make sure your planning and feedback are adequate by putting together your own review committee.
After you've settled on a project, draft a short description of your specific aims and discuss these with the committee.

85. Application Requirements
Candidate Qualifications, Career Goals and Objectives
Mentor (s), Collaborators, and Consultants
Institution Environment and Commitment to the Candidate
Specific Aims
Research Strategy

86. Candidate’s Qualifications
Biographical Sketch:
Personal Statement: Your research experience and other qualifications for this K award.
Research Support: Your/colleagues accomplishments attesting to qualifications of the research team.
Candidate’s Background:
Coordinate with information in the Biographical Sketch, e.g., research and/or clinical training experience that has prepared you for the K award.

87. Career Goals and Objectives
Explain any new or enhanced research skills you will gain as a result of the K award.
Stress other activities that will enhance your research career, e.g., courses, techniques.
If you have changed research direction, discuss reasons for the change, and justify how it will help you to develop your research career.
Always provide a career development timeline, including plans to apply for subsequent grant support.

88. Mentor(s), Collaborators, Consultants
Each mentor must explain how he/she will contribute to the development of the candidate.
Discuss the research and also other activities, e.g., seminars, scientific meetings, presentations.
Document the sources and amounts of anticipated support for the candidate’s research project.
Discuss plans for transitioning the candidate to the independent investigator stage by the end of the K award.
Provide details for any previous experience as a mentor.

89. Institution’s Environment & Commitment
Document a strong, well-established research program related to the candidate's interests.
Experienced faculty, facilities and resources available for the candidate.
Opportunities for intellectual interactions, e.g., journal clubs, seminars, and presentations.
Commitment to the candidate’s career development independent of the K award.
Agree to provide adequate office and lab space, time and support to the candidate for the period of K award.

90. Specific Aims of the Project
Provide a clear statement of each aim’s objectives, for example:
To test a stated hypothesis
To create a novel design
To solve a specific problem
To challenge an existing paradigm
To address a critical barrier to progress in the field
To develop new technology

91. Research Strategy Significance:
Provide an explanation of the importance of the problem you are trying to study.
Explain how your proposed study will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability, or clinical practice in one or more fields.
Discuss how existing concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, or interventions may be impacted if the proposed aims are achieved.

92. Research Strategy Innovation:
Provide an explanation on how your proposed research project may challenge current research or clinical practice paradigms.
Describe and fully discuss any novel theoretical concepts, approaches, methodologies, or interventions that may be developed or used.
Describe any advantage over existing approaches, methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions.

93. Research Strategy Approach:
Describe the methodology and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project.
Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success anticipated to achieve the aims.
For early stages of development, describe strategies to establish feasibility and manage high-risk aspects of the proposed work.

94. Responsible Conduct of Research
Discuss the five components outlined in the NIH Policy: Format, Subject Matter, Faculty Participation, Duration, and Frequency.
Is the plan appropriate for your career stage, and will it enhance your understanding of ethical issues related to research?
Document any prior participation in RCR training and/or propose plans to receive additional instruction.

95. Career Award Review Criteria
Scored Review Criteria:
Candidate
Career Development Plan, Goals and Objectives
Research Plan
Mentor(s), Consultants(s), Collaborator(s)
Environment and Institutional Commitment to the Candidate

96. Career Award Review Criteria
Candidate:
Research, academic and/or clinical record
Commitment and potential to develop as an independent and productive researcher
Quality of the letters of reference
Career Development Plan, Goals and Objectives:
Contribute substantially to the scientific development of candidate
Content, scope, phasing, and duration of the plan in the context of prior experience

97. Career Award Review Criteria
Research Plan:
Scientific and technical merit of the research question, design and methodology
Relevance of the proposed research to the candidate‘s career objectives
Appropriateness of the research plan to the stage of research development and as a vehicle for developing the research skills described in the career development plan

98. Career Award Review Criteria
Mentor(s), Consultants(s), Collaborator(s):
Qualifications, funding, and statement by Mentor(s), collaborators, and/or Consultants
Environment and Institutional Commitment to the Candidate:
Assurance that minimum 75% effort will be devoted to research and related activities
Capable faculty and research facilities
Assurance that institution intends for the candidate to be an integral part of its research program

99. Career Award Review Criteria
Additional Review Criteria:
Protection of Human Subjects
Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children
Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals
Biohazards
Additional Review Considerations:
Responsible Conduct of Research
Select Agents
Resource Sharing Plans
Budget and Period of Support

100. Use all your NIH Resources
…And WE HOPe YOU find success with NIH funding!