1.  I applied for an NIH postdoctoral fellow before I ever started my postdoc and was unsuccessful  Problems  I hadn’t clearly developed what my project was at the time  I put all of my ideas on everything in my proposal rather than presenting one, clear, concise project  Had no idea which program to submit my proposal to

2.  I got funding through an NIH training grant and began working in the lab  As I started my research, I began to focus my ideas  I began to obtain preliminary data and was able to the start formulating my ‘big idea’  As the big picture started to come together, I researched funding agencies and successfully applied to the American Heart Association

3.  Researched the fellowship  Do they fund basic research? Do you need to be involved with the foundation before applying? Can a chemist get funding? Do I need collaborators as a chemist to make my proposal stand above the rest?  Formulated my proposal with a clear focus on heart disease  Clearly defined the relevance of the proposed research to the

4.  Specific Aims  Began with an abstract that identified the problem and my hypothesis then introduced three specific aims (listed and numbered in bold)  Background and Significance  Three sections General background on the protein I was studying Link between my protein and stroke The overall significance with respect to stroke

5.  Research Design and Methods  Broken down separately into each specific aim Introduced the goals of each aim Discussed the preliminary work that has been done if applicable Clearly defined proposed research Included specifics on how compounds will be synthesized, what measurements will be done and how, what controls will be used and why Ended with expected outcomes of the research

6.  My main critique from reviewers was that I did not include unexpected problems and plans of attack  “Although I feel that this proposal will be successful, there is very little discussion of potential problems/issues with each aim and how one would deal with them”

7.  Be prepared  Give yourself plenty of time! Researching and writing the fellowship Rewriting, rewriting, rewriting  Have everything ready from college and grad school statements of past research, all of your grades, statements on why you chose the institution you’re at, career plans, your training goals…  Arrange reference letters ASAP  Talk to your business office early on in the process

8.  Have your advisor, group members and friends critique your proposal  Call the program officer and ask as many questions as you need to  Keep trying! Contact info: Jody Major Jourden, Ph.D. jlmajor@ucsd.edu