Competing for Funding in the Biomedical Sciences from the National Institutes of Health & Elsewhere October 28, 2008 John Ivy [email protected] Office of

Competing for FundingCompeting for Fundingin thein the

Biomedical SciencesBiomedical Sciencesfrom the National Institutes of Health & Elsewherefrom the National Institutes of Health & Elsewhere

October 28, 2008

John [email protected]

Office of Proposal DevelopmentTexas A&M University

Texas A&M Health Science Center

mailto:[email protected]

28 Oct. 2008 Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

2

Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M UniversityOffice of Proposal DevelopmentOffice of Proposal Development

• Unit of Office of Research and Graduate Studies• Supports Texas A&M faculty in the development

and writing of research and educational proposals• center-level initiatives • multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research teams • research affinity groups• junior faculty research • diversity in the research enterprise• a suite of grant writing training programs to help faculty

develop and write more competitive proposals


3

OPD Member ListOPD Member List• Jean Ann Bowman, PhD [email protected]

Physical Geography/Hydrology, earth, ecological, environmental

• Mike Cronan, PE, BS (Civil/Structures), BA, MFACenter-level proposals, research and educational partnerships, new proposal and training initiatives

[email protected]• Lucy Deckard, BS, MS (Materials) [email protected]

New faculty initiative, fellowships, engineering/physical science proposals, equipment, and instrumentation

• John Ivy, PhD (Molecular Biology) [email protected] biomedical and biological science initiatives

• Phyllis McBride, PhD (English) [email protected] writing training, biomedical, editing

• Libby Pasciak [email protected], workshop management, project coordination

• Robyn Pearson, BA, MA (Anthropology) [email protected] sciences and humanities proposals, editing and rewriting








4

OOffice of Proposal Developmentffice of Proposal DevelopmentOPD-WEB OPD-WEB http://opd.tamu.edu/http://opd.tamu.edu/

• For an electronic version of this presentation• Funding opportunities & how to search for

them• Junior faculty support• Proposal development resources• Grant writing seminars and workshops• PI perspectives on competitive proposals• Craft of Grant Writing Workbook• Agency Toolkits

http://opd.tamu.edu/


5

For more infoFor more info• Go to http://opd.tamu.edu

click “Seminar Materials”then “Seminars by Date” look for this seminar• For an electronic version of this

presentation • For additional resource

materials• Lists of helpful links• “Toolkit” on NIH

http://opd.tamu.edu/


6

General Strategies for Writing General Strategies for Writing Competitive Proposals – TopicsCompetitive Proposals – Topics

• Finding Research Funding Opportunities• Analyzing the RFP & Its Role in Proposal

Development• Analyzing and Assessing the Agency Culture,

Mission and Research Priorities• Understanding the Review Process & Writing

to Reviewers• Overview of How to Write a Competitive

Project Summary & Proposal Narrative


7

If you don’t write grants, If you don’t write grants, you won’t get anyyou won’t get any

• Target the proposal at the intersection where:

• research dollars are available

• your research interests lie

• available time to write a competitive proposal


8

Finding Research Funding Finding Research Funding OpportunitiesOpportunities

• Who

• What

• Where

• How

• The agencies you're searching

• The type of project or grant mechanism

• Where do you find their RFPs?

• How do you find or learn of their RFPs?


9

Your Research Interests will Your Research Interests will define funding sourcesdefine funding sources

• Your research interests should align with the Mission of the Agency

• Biology• Biomedicine• Health disparities• Behavior• Biochemistry• Computational science• Interdisciplinary studies


10

Know the category of funding in Know the category of funding in which you are interestedwhich you are interested

• Research• Training• Fellowship• Student retention• Student recruitment• Diversity• Curriculum• Loan reimbursement


11

Funding Sources for Funding Sources for Biomedcial ResearchBiomedcial Research

• National Institutes of Health $29 bill.• National Science Foundation $6 bill.• Dept. of Health & Human Services• Department of Defense• Foundations• Environmental Protection Agency• US Department of Agriculture• National Aeronautics & Space Admin.


12

Where do you find the RFPs?Where do you find the RFPs? (Who ya gonna call?)(Who ya gonna call?)

• Network with colleagues• Funding sources cited in

literature acknowledgements• Companies and Foundations that

support professional societies• Google searches• University posted listings• Federal agency web sites• Foundation web sites• Discussions with Agency and

Foundation Representatives• E-mail listserves (last but not

least)


13

Example Example of a of a

Google Google SearchSearch


14

OPD-Web Funding OpportunitiesOPD-Web Funding Opportunities


15


16

Grants.govGrants.gov

The Grants.gov web portal serves as a single point of access for all federal agency grant announcements. New funding announcements from federal agency are posted to this site daily, and a range of other features allow subscribing to email funding alerts, linking to agency web sites, and searching for funding among agencies.


17

http://www.grants.gov/http://www.grants.gov/


18

Search & Browse Grant OpportunitiesSearch & Browse Grant Opportunities

• Searchhttp://www.grants.gov/applicants/search_opportunities.jsp

• Browse agencieshttp://www.grants.gov/search/agency.do

http://www.grants.gov/applicants/search_opportunities.jsp

http://www.grants.gov/applicants/search_opportunities.jsp

http://www.grants.gov/search/agency.do

http://www.grants.gov/search/agency.do


19

Grants.gov SearchGrants.gov Search


20

VaccineVaccine Keyword Results Keyword Results


21

Grants.gov Browse by AgencyGrants.gov Browse by Agency


22

Receive Grants.gov Funding Email AlertsReceive Grants.gov Funding Email Alerts


23


24

http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/ http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/


25

Life Science Funding Source ListingsLife Science Funding Source Listings• Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov

• National Institues of Health• Office of Extramural Research http://grants.nih.gov/grants/OER.htm • Individual Institutes and Centers

• National Science Foundation http://www.nsf.gov/ • Find Funding http://www.nsf.gov/funding/ • Funded Research http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/

• GrantsNet sponsored by AAAS and HHMI http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org /funding

• Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programshttp://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/default.htm

• Philanthropy News Digest RFP listings http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp / • American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/docroot/RES/RES_0.asp• American Heart Association http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=9713

• Cancer Research Institute http://www.cancerresearch.org/criprogs.html• Life Sciences Research Foundation http://www.lsrf.org/geninfo.htm• National Multiple Sclerosis Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org/

http://www.nsf.gov/

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/

http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/funding



http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/default.htm

http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/



http://www.cancer.org/docroot/RES/RES_0.asp

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=9713

http://www.cancerresearch.org/criprogs.html

http://www.lsrf.org/geninfo.htm


26

Identifying funding opportunitiesIdentifying funding opportunitiesSUMMARYSUMMARY

• Develop search protocols to fit research interests

• Know relevant agencies

• Learn grant cycles


27

NSF Biological Sciences DirectorateNSF Biological Sciences Directorate• The mission of the Directorate for

Biological Sciences (BIO) is to enable discoveries for understanding life. BIO-supported research advances the frontiers of biological knowledge, increases our understanding of complex systems, and provides a theoretical basis for original research in many other scientific disciplines.

• NSF supports fundamental research in science and engineering, except for the medical sciences


28

NSF Biological Sciences NSF Biological Sciences Directorate - DivisionsDirectorate - Divisions

• Biological Infrastructure• Environmental Biology• Emerging Frontiers• Integrative Organismal Systems• Molecular & Cellular Biosciences


29

NIH MissionNIH Mission• NIH is the steward of medical and

behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is • science in pursuit of fundamental

knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and

• the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.


30

FY 2007 Operating PlanFY 2007 Operating PlanNIH Discretionary Budget Authority $29.228 BillionNIH Discretionary Budget Authority $29.228 Billion

>80% awarded to >325,000 extra-mural researchers

>80% awarded to >325,000 extra-mural researchers


31

It's competitive out there ~ NIH It's competitive out there ~ NIH Congressional AppropriationsCongressional Appropriations

Bil

lio

ns

of

Do

llar

s

DOUBLING

$13.7$15.6

$17.8

$20.5

$23.3

$27.1$28.0 $28.6 $28.6

$29.2

$0

$5

$10

$15

$20

$25

$30

FY1998

FY1999

FY2000

FY2001

FY2002

FY2003

FY2004

FY2005

FY2006

FY2007

NIH FY2007: Increase of $620 million


32

New Grant Applications and New Grant Applications and Success Rates Success Rates During and After During and After

Doubling PeriodDoubling Period

Success Rates Applications

Projected

Num

ber of Applications

% S

ucce

ss R

ate

of G

rant

s F

unde

d

31%

19%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

19981999200020012002200320042005200620070

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

+8,303

+8,359

22%

49,656

43,069

24,154


33

Success Rate: FY 2007Success Rate: FY 2007It's competitive out there!It's competitive out there!

• Research Project Grant application overall success rate

• 47,455 applications• 10,100 funded• 21.3% success rate

• New 18.2%• Continuation 38.7%• Supplements 33.7%

• Research Project Grant application overall success rate

• 47,455 applications• 10,100 funded• 21.3% success rate

• New 18.2%• Continuation 38.7%• Supplements 33.7%

DP1, DP2, P01, R01, R03, R15, R21, R33, R34, R36, DP1, DP2, P01, R01, R03, R15, R21, R33, R34, R36, R37, R55, R56, RL1, RL2, RL5, RL9, U01, U19R37, R55, R56, RL1, RL2, RL5, RL9, U01, U19


34

Competition for funds from the NIH and other sponsors, intensifying year by year, now stands at an unprecedented level, and shows no sign of abating. Never before have so many established investigators faced so much uncertainty about their longevity as active scientists. Never before have so many novices faced so many disincentives to entering or continuing a research career.

Dr. William F. Raub, NIH Associate Director for Research and Training, strategy paper, 1982


35

NIH – 20 Institutes, 7 CentersNIH – 20 Institutes, 7 Centers


36

National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of Health• NIH is a basic research agency

• Each Institute has its own mission• Each Institute has its own budget• Each Institute has its own activities• Each Institute has its own ways of doing things

When you’re planning to submit a grant, check with Program Officers from different institutes to determine their specific policies and interest in your science.


37

Identify NIH Funding OpportunitiesIdentify NIH Funding Opportunities

• NIH Office of Extramural Researchhttp://grants1.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm

• NIH Guide for Grants and Contractshttp://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html

• Search by keyword• Browse by Requests for Applications (RFAs)• Browse by Program Announcements (PAs)• Automatic funding alerts

• Institutes and Centers (IC) homepages• Listed at http://www.nih.gov/icd

• Go to IC homepage• Browse or search their “Research Funding” or "Extramural

Funding” section

http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html

http://www.nih.gov/icd

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm

http://www.nih.gov/

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/OER.htm


38

NIH Funding MechanismsNIH Funding Mechanisms

• Three principal types• Training — T & F

• Career — K

• Research Project Grant — R


39

Unsolicited vs. SolicitedUnsolicited vs. Solicited• NIH makes a distinction between solicited

versus unsolicited proposals• Unsolicited (investigator-initiated) proposals

(82%)• Parent Announcements (Program Announcements, PA)

• Solicited (agency-initiated) proposals (18%)• Program Announcements (PA)

• New research programs and updates to ongoing programs (renewable)

• Request for Applications/Proposals (RFA/RFP)• One time request to fulfill specific agency research

objective or need


40

NIH NIH TTraining Awardsraining Awards• Individual Training awards – for predoctoral (F31),

postdoctoral (F32), or senior fellowships (F33)• Limited to US citizens or legal aliens

Ruth L. KirschsteinNational Research Service Awards (NRSA)

Institutional Research Training Grants (T32)

Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grants (T35)

Individual Predoctoral Awards For M.D./Ph.D. Fellowships (F30)

Individual Predoctoral Fellowship Minority Students (F31)

Individual Predoctoral Fellowship Students w/ Disabilities (F31)

Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (F31)

Individual Postdoctoral Fellowships (F32)

Senior Fellowships (F33)


41

NIH Career DevelopmentNIH Career DevelopmentK AwardsK Awards

• Directed at retraining, professional career development, or recognition of career success

• K Kioskhttp://grants1.nih.gov/training/careerdevelopmentawards.htm

• Career Award WizardHelps you select the right career awardhttp://grants.nih.gov/training/kwizard/index.htm

• Participation may be restricted to certain Institutes and Centers


42

NIH Career AwardsNIH Career Awards• K Kiosk http://grants1.nih.gov/training/careerdevelopmentawards.htm • Career Award Wizard - Helps you select the right career award

http://grants.nih.gov/training/kwizard/index.htm

• Some directed at retraining, professional career development, and recognition of career success (may be restricted to certain ICs)• K01 Mentored Research Scientist

• Provide mentored career development in a new research area• 3-5 yr, 75% effort

• K02 Independent Scientist• Provides support for newly independent scientists (see IC provisions) who

can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus as a means of enhancing their research careers.

• 3-5 yr, 75% effort• K05 Senior Scientist

• Provides protected time for outstanding senior scientists who have demonstrated a sustained high level of productivity conducting biomedical research

• NIAAA and NIDA only• 5 yr, 75% effort


43

NIH Career AwardsNIH Career Awards• K07 Academic Career

• Supports individuals interested in introducing or improving curricula in a particular scientific field

• 2-5 yrs, 25-75% effort• K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist

• Provides support and “protected time” to individuals with a clinical doctoral degree for an intensive, supervised research career development experience

• Biomedical and behavior research• 3-5 yr, 75% effort

• K12 Mentored Clinical Scientist Development• Institutional programs to support the research career development of clinicians only or

clinicians and Ph.D. basic research scientists • 5 yr, 75% effort

• K18 Career Enhancement Award for Stem Cell Research• To encourage investigators to obtain the training they need to appropriately use stem

cells in their research

• K22 Career Transition• Supports an individual postdoctoral fellow in transition to a faculty position• 3 yr, 75% effort

• K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development• Development of the independent research scientist in the clinical area• 3-5 yr, 75% effort


44

NIH Career AwardsNIH Career Awards• K24 Midcareer Investigator Awards in Patient-Oriented Research

• Development of clinical mentors conducting funded research.• 3-5 yr, 25-50% effort

• K25 Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development• To foster interdisciplinary collaboration in biomedical research by

supporting career development experiences for scientists with quantitative and engineering backgrounds

• 3-5 yr, 75% effort• K26 Midcareer Investigator Award In Mouse Pathobiology

Research• Provides support for established pathobiologists who wish to devote

up to 50 percent of their effort to research and mentoring in the field of mouse pathobiology

• 25-50% effort• K30 Clinical Research Curriculum Development

• Institutional award for development of a clinical research curriculum • 5 yr, up to $200,00/yr

• K99/R00 NIH Pathway to Independence (PI)• 2 years mentored postdoctoral research + 3 years independent

research in tenure track position (or equivalent)


45

NIH NIH RResearch Program Grantsesearch Program Grants

• Numerous funding mechanisms• R01 Research Project Grant

• Supports discrete, specific, highly successful outcome projects

• All ICs support this mechanism• R03 Small Grant

• Supports small research projects; limited time and resources are the key elements

• R21 Exploratory/Independent Research Grant

• Supports ‘high risk-high yield’ research projects

• R15 Academic and Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Grant

• Small research projects in the biomedical and behavioral sciences conducted by students and faculty in health professional schools and other academic components that have not been major recipients of NIH research grant funds

Research Grant Programs

NIH Research Project Grant Program (R01)

NIH Small Grant Program (R03)

NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (R13 and U13)

NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Grants (R15)

NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award (R21)

NIH Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R34) Program

NIH High Priority, Short-Term Project Award (R56)


46

NIH NIH RResearch Program Grantsesearch Program Grants

• R01 Research Project Grant

• R03 Small Research Grant• R21 Exploratory,

Developmental Research Grant

• R15 Academic and Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Grant

Research Grant Programs

NIH Research Project Grant Program (R01)

NIH Small Grant Program (R03)

NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (R13 and U13)

NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Grants (R15)

NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award (R21)

NIH Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R34) Program

NIH High Priority, Short-Term Project Award (R56)


47

Research Grants for Independent ScientistsResearch Grants for Independent Scientists

• R01 – Large Research Grant• 4-5 years, $250,000+/yr

• R03 – Small Grant• 2 year max, $50,000/yr max

• R21 – Exploratory Research Grant• High Risk – High Reward• Transformational• 2 years, $275,000 total

• R15 – Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA)• Primarily undergrad institutions• Institute must have received <$3mill/yr in NIH funding


48

Finding NIH FundingFinding NIH Funding• Search All Federal Agencies – Grants.gov• Search all of NIH – NIH OER• Search your favorite NIH IC(s)

– NIH IC home pages• Sign up for email notices by

weekly/daily listserves• Sign up for RSS feeds• Other strategies – Other sources

• Google• Colleagues• National Science Foundation• Acknowledgements in publications• Philanthropy News Digest / The Foundation Center• Commercial search providers – Community of Science (COS)


49

Finding NIH FundingFinding NIH Funding• Office of Extramural Research (OER)

about http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/intro2oer.htm• Publishes Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) for all

NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs)• NIH funding opportunities page

• OER Home pagehttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm

• NIH Guide for Grants and Contractshttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html

• Subscribe to weekly listserv!• Grants.gov

• Includes funding opportunities for NIH in addition to the other 25 federal grant-making agencies

• Located at http://www.grants.gov/Index • Subscribe to weekly listserv


50

Office of Extramural Research (OER)Office of Extramural Research (OER)

• NIH makes a distinction between solicited versus unsolicited proposals• Unsolicited (investigator-initiated) proposals (82%)

• Parent Announcements (Program Announcements, PA)

• Solicited (agency-initiated) proposals (18%)• Program Announcements (PA)

• New research programs and updates to ongoing

programs (renewable)• Request for Applications/Proposals (RFA/RFP)

• One time request to fulfill specific agency research objective or need


51

Funding Opportunity AnnouncementsFunding Opportunity Announcements


52

Application Due DatesApplication Due Dates


53


54

Parent AnnouncementsParent Announcements


55

Identifying NIH Solicitations by TopicIdentifying NIH Solicitations by Topic


56

Example – Sequencing TechnologyExample – Sequencing Technology


57

Example – Sequencing TechnologyExample – Sequencing Technology


58

Identifying NIH Solicitations by ICIdentifying NIH Solicitations by IC

• Search by Agency (IC)• Identify funding opportunities within an

agency• Steps for searching….

• Identify Agency (IC)• Go to their homepage

(http://www.nih.gov/icd)• Go to their “Research Funding” or Extramural

Funding” section• Perform search


59



60



61


62

Staying Staying Informed on Informed on NIH FOAsNIH FOAs


63

RSS Feed of NIH FOAsRSS Feed of NIH FOAs


64

Remember, investigator-initiated grants represent >80% of those funded by NIH!

Percentage of R01 and R29 Awards Allocated to Investigator-Inititated Applications, Program Announcements, and Requests for Application,

FY 1995 to FY 2003

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Fiscal Year

Per

cen

tage

of

Aw

ard

Dol

lars

in F

Y

Requests for Applications Awards

Program Announcement Awards

Investigator-Initiated Awards

Agency-initiated

Investigator-initiated


65

Elements of an NIH FOAElements of an NIH FOA

• A Funding Opportunity Announcement• Part I. Overview Information

• Issuing Organization• Participating Organizations• Components of Participating Organization• Title• Announcement Type• Program Announcement Number• Key Dates• Executive Summary


66

Contents of an NIH PAContents of an NIH PAPart II. Full Text of AnnouncementPart II. Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description1. Research Objectives

Section II. Award Information 1. Mechanism(s) of Support 2. Funds Available

Section III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants

A. Eligible Institutions B. Eligible Individuals

2. Cost Sharing or Matching3. Other - Special Eligibility Criteria

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Information 2. Content and Form of Application Submission

3. Submission Dates and TimesA. Submission, Review and Anticipated

Start Dates 1. Letter of Intent

B. Sending an Application to the NIH C. Application Processing

4. Intergovernmental Review 5. Funding Restrictions6. Other Submission Requirements

Section V. Application Review Information 1. Criteria 2. Review and Selection Process A. Additional Review Criteria B. Additional Review Considerations C. Sharing Research Data D. Sharing Research Resources 3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

Section VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 3. Reporting

Section VII. Agency Contact(s) 1. Scientific/Research Contact(s) 2. Peer Review Contact(s) 3. Financial/ Grants Management Contact(s)

Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal Citations


67

Program SolicitationProgram Solicitation• From the PA or RPF –

• Determine supporting ICs• Identify mechanism (R, T, U, etc.)• Determine eligibility• Identify review criteria

• Learn essential information to develop and write a competitive proposal that is fully responsive to the agency’s objectives and review criteria.

• Continuously use the RPF throughout proposal development and writing as a reference point to ensure that an evolving proposal narrative fully addresses and accurately reflects the goals and objectives of the funding agency – including the review criteria.


68

Elements of the FOAElements of the FOA

• Funding Opportunity Announcement• NIH Small Research Grant Program

(Parent R03)


69

Program Solicitation, RFPProgram Solicitation, RFP• The solicitation represents an invitation by a

funding agency for applicants to submit requests for funding in research areas of interest to the agency or foundation.

• The RFP is not a menu or smorgasbord offering the applicant a choice of addressing some topics but not others, depending on interest, or some review criteria but not others.

• The RFP is a non-negotiable listing of performance expectations reflecting the stated goals, objectives, and desired outcomes of the agency.


70

Reviewing the RFPReviewing the RFP• Clarify ambiguities; if

unresolved… • Get clarification from a

program officer. • Ambiguities needs to be

resolved prior to proposal writing so the proposal narrative maps to the guidelines with informed certainty.


71

Role in Proposal OrganizationRole in Proposal Organization

• Use the RFP to develop the structure, order, and detail of the proposal narrative.

• Use the RFP as an organizational template during proposal development to help ensure every RFP requirement is addressed fully.


72

Reading Material Referenced in the Reading Material Referenced in the RFPRFP

• If the RFP refers to any publications, reports, or workshops, it is important to read those materials, analyze how that work has influenced the agency’s vision of the program, and cite those publications in the proposal in a way that illustrates the topics are acknowledged and understood.

• Echo the language of the agency.


73

Map your expertise to the RFPMap your expertise to the RFP

• Is it a fit?• Is it really a fit?

• No partial fits allowed

• No wishful thinking• Close doesn’t count

• If you are not a fit – don’t submit


74

Analyzing the funding agencyAnalyzing the funding agency• Analyzing the

mission, strategic plan, investment priorities, and culture of a funding agency provides information key to enhancing proposal competitiveness.


75

Analyze the Agency: NIH CultureAnalyze the Agency: NIH Culture

• Trans-NIH initiatives – research that cuts across typical agency boundaries of various ICs• http://www.nih.gov/about/transnih.htm

• Model Organisms for Biomedical Research• Blueprint for Neuroscience Research• Bioengineering Consortium• Biomaterials and Medical Implants• Bioinformatics at the NIH• Mammalian Gene Collection• Cognitive & Emotional Health

• Translational Research• Part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research• http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/ • http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/clinicalresearch/

overview-translational.asp


76

NIH Funding Investments and Priorities

• NIH has investment priorities based on past research findings and current trends in science

• Targeted areas (FY 2008 proposed budget): • HIV/AIDs• Biodefense• Roadmap for Biomedical Research• Enhanced Support for New Investigators• Physical Infrastructure

• NIH FY2007 budget is $28.8 billion (FY2008 proposed $28.85 billion)

• NIH funds research projects inside their own laboratories (intramural) and outside their laboratories at national and international locations (extramural)

• Extramural funding 85%• Intramural Funding 10%• Research Infrastructure 5%


77

Know your home-base IC's MissionKnow your home-base IC's Mission

About NIDA For Researchers


78

NIH Roadmap for Medical ResearchNIH Roadmap for Medical Research


79

NIH Roadmap for Medical ResearchNIH Roadmap for Medical Research

• Theme: New Pathways to Discovery• Building Blocks, Pathways, and Networks Implementation Group

• Molecular Libraries and Imaging Implementation Group

• Structural Biology Implementation Group

• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Implementation Group

• Nanomedicine Implementation Group

• Theme: Research Teams of the Future• High-Risk Research Implementation Group

• Interdisciplinary Research Implementation Group

• Public Private Partnerships Implementation Group

• Theme: Re-engineering the Clinical Research Enterprise• Clinical Research Implementation Group


80

New Investigator ProgramNew Investigator Programhttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/index.htm http://grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/index.htm


81

For New InvestigatorsFor New Investigators

• K99/R00 Pathway to Independence• Must have fewer than 5 yr postdoc experience• Open to US and non-US citizens• 2 yr mentored Post-doc; 75% effort required• 3 yr independent, tenure-track or equivalent position; 75%

research effort

• R01 – fast review for new investigators• Check box on cover page for new investigators• Example: Oct 5 Submit

Mar 1 Summary StatementMar 20 Resubmit (Mar 5, Jul 5, Nov 5)


82

For New InvestigatorsFor New Investigators• More lenient R01 payline for new

investigators (varies by IC)• In FY07, 500 R01 awards to be made to new

investigators

• DP2 – Director’s New Innovator Award• For exceptionally creative work of new

investigators• Requires highly innovative approaches that have

the potential to produce an unusually high impact• Must have completed doctoral degree within

~10 yr• Awards up to $300,00


83

A New Initiative:A New Initiative:Identify Early Stage Investigators Identify Early Stage Investigators

• Designed to encourage early transition to independence• the average age at which an investigator first obtains R01 funding has increased by more

than 5 years between 1980 to and 2001

• New Investigator: An NIH research grant Principal Investigator who has not yet competed successfully for a substantial, competing NIH research grant

• Early Stage Investigator (ESI): An individual who is classified as a New or First-Time Investigator and is within 10 years of completing his/her terminal research degree or is within 10 years of completing medical residency

• NIH will collect necessary data from the eRA Commons personal profile

• NIH will eliminate the New Investigator Check Box on the application face page

• New or First-Time Investigators will continue to be identified by determining whether the individual has had significant, previous NIH funding

• PD/PIs who receive a substantive, competing NIH research grant will lose their New Investigator status and hence their status as an ESI

• Applications from ESIs and New Investigators will be identified to reviewers so that appropriate consideration of their career stage can be applied during review

• New Investigators as well as ESIs will be eligible for the “Full Implementation to Shorten the Review Cycle for New Investigator R01 Applications Reviewed in Center for Scientific Review (CSR) Recurring Study Sections


84

Assess the Competition:Assess the Competition:Know what was recently fundedKnow what was recently funded

• Learning about recently funded research in your area helps you understand what an agency is looking for in the review process• Search on-line databases of funded projects• Review abstracts of funded proposals on agency

web sites• Talk to the principal investigators of funded

proposals in your area• Obtain copies of funded proposals

• Ask the PI


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CRISPCRISP http://report.nih.gov/crisp/ http://report.nih.gov/crisp/

• Computer Retrieval of Informationon Scientific Projects

• A searchable database of federally funded biomedical research • What similar projects have been funded?• Has someone already been funded to pursue

my idea?• Who are my competitors?• Who are potential collaborators?


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R03 Awards, FY2006-2008, Rice University


87

CRISP search resultsCRISP search results


88


89

Preparing ProposalsPreparing Proposals• All NIH proposals use either the

electronic form SF424 or the paper PHS398.

• The transition to SF424 for F and K awards is delayed

• Step 1: Download the Instructions and Forms via the NIH OER website• http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/

funding/424/

• http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html

• Step 2: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS


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Writing for ReviewersWriting for Reviewers

• Reviewers often have 8 or 10 proposals to read

• Use white space, underlining, bold, bullets, figures, flowcharts to make main points easy to find

• Put main idea of sections and paragraphs up front


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Must Convince Reviewers…Must Convince Reviewers…

• Your proposed research should be funded• It’s important and supports the agency

mission and program goals• It’s exciting• It has a good chance of succeeding

• You are the person who should conduct the proposed research• You are knowledgeable and well-qualified• You have the support and resources

required


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Albert Einstein on Grant WritingAlbert Einstein on Grant Writing

• If you can't explain something simply, you don't understand it well.

• Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in language comprehensible to everyone.

• Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.


93

Structure of ProposalStructure of Proposal

• Often dictated by solicitation or other agency document• NIH – SF424• NSF – Grant Proposal Guide• DoD – Broad Agency Announcement

(BAA)• Also guided by evaluation criteria


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Before you begin . . .Before you begin . . .• Make sure you have identified the following:

• Goal• Indicates the purpose for the project as a whole• Should be aligned with the agency’s mission

• Aims (Objectives)• Indicate the purpose for each specific part of your project• Should be aligned with your overall goal• Should be specific and measurable

• Rationale• Indicates why you want to achieve your purpose• Should be clear and logical

• Expected outcomes• Indicate what will change as a result of your research

(e.g., behavior, performance, process, produce)• Should include both immediate and long-term outcomes


95

Speak with the Program OfficerSpeak with the Program Officer– – early and oftenearly and often

• Do your homework first

• Make an appointment

• Listen to the response

• Request clarification

• Follow up


96

Never be timid about contacting a Never be timid about contacting a program officer for clarificationprogram officer for clarification

• Timidity is never rewarded in the competitive grant process.


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Common Elements of PHS398 R01Common Elements of PHS398 R01

• Cover page/face sheet• Description: Project Summary (Abstract) & Relevance• Performance site, key personnel• Table of contents• Budget page(s)• Budget justification• Biosketch of PI, biosketch of all other major/key personnel• Resources• Research Plan (Items A-D)• Other Information under Research Plan (Items E-J)

• References cited, human or animal research subjects, inclusion of minorities/children in clinical studies, data sharing plans, etc.

• Appendix items• Checklist


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Know your NIH General Review CriteriaKnow your NIH General Review Criteria

• Investigator• Education, training, relevant experience

• Environment• Suitability of facilities and institution support

• Significance• Ability of the project to improve health

• Approach• Feasibility of methods and appropriateness of

budget• Innovation

• Originality of research


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Introductory writing tipsIntroductory writing tips

• Summary (Abstract) and Introduction (Specific Aims) are key• May be all reviewers read• Must excite and grab the attention

• Reviewers will assume errors in language and usage will translate into errors in the science

• Don’t be overly ambitious in what you propose, but convey credibility and capacity to perform


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Introductory writing tipsIntroductory writing tips

• Sell your proposal to a good scientist but not an expert

• Some review panels may not have an expert in your field, or panels may be blended for multidisciplinary initiatives

• Agencies & reviewers fund compelling, exciting research

• Proposals are not journal articles – proposals must be user-friendly and offer a narrative that tells a story that is memorable to reviewers


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Cover SheetCover Sheet

• Requires that you provide basic information about yourself, your institution, and your proposed research project

• Often offers you the opportunity to indicate if you are a “new investigator” (until Feb. '09/)


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TitleTitle• Used by agency administrators to route

your proposal to the appropriate reviewers• Should provide an accurate representation

of your proposed project• Should generate interest in and enthusiasm

for your proposed project• Should conform to agency requirements

• Program name• Number of characters (NIH: 81 incl. spaces)


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Project Summary (Abstract)Project Summary (Abstract)

• Used by agency administrators to route your proposal to the appropriate reviewers

• Provides a concise overview of the proposed project

• Requires that you provide a great deal of information within a very limited amount of space (NIH – 30 lines)

• Becomes public record if the project is funded


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Project Summary (Abstract)Project Summary (Abstract)

• One of the most critical sections• Consider writing the Abstract after you've written your

Research Plan• Use the same elements of the Specific Aims in the

same order• Include

• Brief introduction to the topic• Gap in knowledge or critical need• Broad, long-term goals• Specific Aims• Describe research design and methods• Summarize the Significance of the project• Avoid summary of past accomplishments• Avoid use of the first person


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Project Summary (Abstract)Project Summary (Abstract)• May be the only thing the reviewer reads• Must “grab” the reviewer• Should communicate concisely:

• Intellectual framework of proposed project

• Your long-range goals

• Specific Aims

• Significance of the proposed project

• Who will be conducting the project and, briefly, their qualifications

• Project outcomes

• Must communicate excitement• Check for additional requirements

• e.g., intellectual merit and broader impacts in NSF proposals


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Project RelevanceProject Relevance

• The second component of the Project Summary/Abstract (i.e., “Description”) is Relevance.

• Corresponds to "Project Narrative" in SF424 forms

• Using no more than two or three sentences, describe the relevance of this research to public health.

• Be succinct and use plain language that can be understood by a general, lay audience.


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Budget & Budget JustificationBudget & Budget Justification

• Budget• Budget categories are defined by the funding agency

• Get help (institutional grants administrator)• Be reasonable. The reviewers also do research!

• Budget Categories• Direct

• Personnel• Equipment• Travel• Materials, Other Supplies

• Indirect • F&A (Facilities & Administrative)


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Budget & Budget JustificationBudget & Budget Justification• Budget Justification

• Personnel• Who? What will they do? How much effort (%)? • Why is this person critical to the success of the project?

• Equipment• What do you need? Why do you need it? Is there a similar

apparatus nearby that you can use (if yes, why not use it)?• Travel

• Where do you need to go? How many times will you go there? How many of the project personnel will go? Approximately how much will it cost and why?

• Materials, Other Supplies• Equipment maintenance contracts? Fee for service resource?

• F&A• Determined by what your institution has negotiated• Limited by funding mechanism


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Connect budget to the research narrativeConnect budget to the research narrative

• Be sure activities discussed in the narrative (Research Plan) are reflected in the budget

• In budget justification, personnel, materials, supplies, equipment, travel should reflect that necessary to complete Research Plan

• Base budget on real costs• Remember that reviewers know what

things cost • Factor in both direct and indirect costs• Factor in cost escalations for multi-

year projects


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NIH Biographical SketchNIH Biographical Sketch

• Four page maximum• Section A. Positions and Honors• Section B. Publications

• List publications reflective of the topic of the current proposal (or maximum)

• Section C. Research Support• Current and completed support• Begin with projects that are most relevant

to the research proposed in the application


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Biographical sketchBiographical sketch• Emphasize qualifications relevant to the

proposed project• Ability to conduct project• Ability to manage project

• Adhere to agency’s formatting requirements• Use the required form• Stay within prescribed page limits• Place information in the required order• If you are collaborating – format your

colleagues’ resumes like your own


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Sample NIH Biosketch Sample NIH Biosketch (via http://grants.nih.gov/grants/OER.htm)(via http://grants.nih.gov/grants/OER.htm)


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ResourcesResources

• Laboratory• Clinical• Animal• Computer• Office• Other


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ResourcesResources

• Demonstrate that it is feasible to conduct the proposed research project at your institution

• Demonstrate that you are part of an intellectually stimulating and supportive research environment


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Research PlanResearch Plan

Introduction (Resubmissions only)

A) Specific Aims

Long-range goals

Hypothesis

B) Background & Significance

C) Preliminary Studies / Progress Report

D) Research Design and Methods

Structure based on Specific Aims


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Role of the Proposal NarrativeRole of the Proposal Narrative• Helps incubate ideas, concepts, connections & details• Synthesizes ideas and detail• Connects ideas to performance details• Develops order, logic, transitions, and connectedness• Helps the timing, logistics, and collaborations of proposal

development• Integrates collaborators’ ideas• Provides a common structure to meld disciplinary strands• Makes ideas accessible to others• Converges on a common language• A competitive narrative requires persistence, continuous

revisions, and many draft iterations to converge on perfection


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Specific AimsSpecific Aims• Critically important

• Must provide a conceptual overview

• Must outline the project goals, objectives (aims), and expected outcomes

• Must be clearly written

• Must grab the reviewer’s attention

• Must generate enthusiasm for the project

• Must be able to stand alone

• Often Title, Abstract and Specific Aims may be the only three parts that all reviewers will have an opportunity to read


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Specific AimsSpecific Aims

• PHS's Instructions"List the broad, long-term objectives and the goal of the specific research proposed, for example, to test a stated hypothesis, create a novel design, solve a specific problem, challenge an existing paradigm or clinical practice, address a critical barrier to progress in the field, or develop new technology. One page is recommended."

~Grants.gov Application Guide SF424 (R&R)


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• Provide a framework for the reviewer• State a long-range goal of your research

program• Tie to program/agency mission and goals• State a specific hypothesis that your

experiments will address• Provide a rationale for your approach• State specific, measurable Specific Aims• Discuss expected outcomes• Do not be overly ambitious!


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General organization of the Specific AimsGeneral organization of the Specific Aims

General

Specific

Introduction to the problem.

Identification of need or gap in knowledge.

Long term research goal and specific

project goal

Central hypothesis

Specific Aims

Project outcomes & benefits


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• Write this section for all your audiences, primary reviewers and other reviewers, since they'll all read it.

• Choose aims the reviewers can easily assess. • To be assessable, make each specific aim an endpoint

rather than a best effort.

• Do not confuse specific aims with your project's long-term goals. • Specific aims are what you plan to accomplish by the end of

the grant.• Your aims are the accomplishments by which the success of

your project is measured.• Aims are not activities, e.g., measure, study

• One approach: organize this section into four paragraphs.


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Specific Aims – Paragraph 1Specific Aims – Paragraph 1

• Introduce the project.• Relate the project to the agency’s mission.

• Educate the reviewer.• Summarize the important knowledge.

• Identify the gap in the knowledge or state the critical need.

• Identify the problem created by the gap or the critical need.

~Adapted from Morrison and RussellGrant Application Writer’s Workbook


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• Describe your long-range research or career goal(s).• Ensure that your long-range career goal aligns with the agency’s

mission.• State your overall project goal.

• Ensure that the overall project goal addresses an identified gap in knowledge and represents a step toward achieving your long-range career goal.

• Present your central hypothesis (or, alternatively, a statement of need).• Be sure that you present a true hypothesis – one that can be

objectively tested to determine its validity – rather than a predetermined conclusion.



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Specific Aims – Paragraph 2 (cont.)Specific Aims – Paragraph 2 (cont.)• Explain your rationale for pursuing the project.

• Indicate what it will be possible to accomplish when your research is complete.

• Describe your qualifications and research environment.• How you are better prepared than other, equally qualified

researchers.• Identify special training, expertise, experience, and, most

importantly, relevant preliminary data.• Identify access to human and animal subject pools; to

unique equipment and instrumentation; and to collaborations and partnerships.

• Why you are the best resercher in the best environment to address the research question.



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Your Central HypothesisYour Central Hypothesis

• The foundation of your application – the conceptual underpinning on which the entire structure rests.

• Generally applications should ask questions that prove or disprove a hypothesis rather than use a method to search for a problem or simply collect information.

• The goal of more applied research may be to discover basic biology or develop or use a new technology.• If your application is not hypothesis-based, state this in your

cover letter and give the reasons why the work is important.


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Your Central HypothesisYour Central Hypothesis

• Choose an important, testable, focused hypothesis that increases understanding of biologic processes, diseases, treatments, or preventions and is based on previous research.

• State your hypothesis in both the Specific Aims section and the Abstract.

• Example of a good research hypothesis: • Analogs to chemokine receptors can inhibit HIV infection.

• Examples of a poor research hypothesis: • Analogs to chemokine receptors can be biologically useful.

• A wide range of molecules can inhibit HIV infection.

~ NIAID "How to Plan a Grant Application"


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• Delineate your specific aims in a bulleted list.• Ensure that specific aims correlate with your

central hypothesis.• Ensure that all specific aims relate to and support

your overall project goal.• Design your specific aims and experiments so

they answer the question posed by the hypothesis.• Provide conceptual rather than descriptive specific

aims.



128

Specific Aims – Paragraph 3 (cont.)Specific Aims – Paragraph 3 (cont.)

• Delineate your specific aims in a bulleted list (cont.).• Delineate a reasonable number of specific aims,

presented in a logical order.• “Why” aims are generally stronger than “what” aims.• Define a clear purpose, working hypothesis or

statement of need, and expected outcome for each specific aim.

• Make sure no specific aim is dependent on the successful outcome of another aim.



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• Identify the project’s innovation, e.g., a unique approach or technology

• Delineate the project’s expected outcomes• Should validate central hypothesis and resolve

gap in knowledge• Summarize the project’s significance • Provides segue to Background and

Significance



130


• Don't be overly ambitious• 2-5 aims for an R01

• Avoid descriptive aims• No fishing expeditions; no look-and-see!

• Use brief, concise, informative, conceptual statements (headline style)


131

What vs. Why AimsWhat vs. Why Aims• "What" aims

• Determine amino acid sequence of protein Y of antiviral Z-sensitive wild-type virus X.

• Determine amino acid residue changes in protein Y of 100 natural antiviral Z-resistant virus X isolates.

• In culture, select for virus X variants that develop resistance to antiviral Z and identify altered protein Y residues.

versus• "Why" aim

• Identify virus X protein Y candidate amino acid residues responsible for antiviral resistance.


132

Background & SignificanceBackground & Significance

• Consider starting with Significance and tie into Specific Aims• Specify how your research will extend and

advance knowledge in the field; what you will be able to do following successful research that you cannot now do.

• Provide a literature review• Demonstrate your familiarity with the field


133

Background & SignificanceBackground & Significance

• Background should tie closely to your proposed research• Describe state of the field• Provide context for proposed project• Nature of the problem and Identification of the

opportunity• Alternative hypotheses or models• Be thorough and concise

• Do not be dismissive of previous research


134

SignificanceSignificance

• Consider placing up front• Explain explicitly why proposed

research is important• Tie to agency and program goals• Relate to review criteria (e.g., innovation)

• Make this easy to find• Opportunity to make important points

up front• Communicate your excitement!


135

Preliminary Data / Progress ReportPreliminary Data / Progress Report

• Discussion of preliminary data must connect clearly to proposed project

• Determine how much preliminary data to include• Can vary with funding mechanism

• Present the results in a logical order• Illustrate your results


136

Research Design & MethodsResearch Design & Methods

• Structure based on Specific Aims or Review Criteria• Be very clear about how you will accomplish your stated

goals and objectives• Include approaches and detailed methods• Include details

• What, specifically, will you do when you get the money?• Schedules and milestones may be helpful• This is especially important if you are a relatively new researcher

• Identify expected, measurable outcomes• Identify and address anticipated problems and how you

will deal with them• Avoid ambiguous terminology—be specific!


137

Project scheduleProject schedule• Delineate the key milestones• Incorporate the agency and program

requirements

Year 1 Year 2

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Aim 1: Evaluate the extent to which John of Rupescissa drew upon and expanded the research of his contemporaries

Task 1: Transcribe and collate manuscripts

Task 2: Translate manuscripts

Task 3: Analyze manuscripts


138

Research EthicsResearch Ethics• Address all relevant ethical issues regarding

inclusion of human and animal subjects and use of hazardous materials, select agents, or recombinant DNA• Justify use of human and animal subjects and or

hazardous materials, select agents, or rDNA• Demonstrate that potential benefits outweigh potential

risks• Delineate training procedures• Explain safeguards from potential risks• Discuss reporting procedures


139

Formatting RequirementsFormatting Requirements• Font

• Arial, Helvetica, Palatino Linotype, or Georgia typeface

• Black font color

• Font size of 11 points or larger

• Symbol font may be used to insert Greek letters or special characters; the font size requirement still applies

• Type density, including characters and spaces, must be no more than 15 characters per inch

• Type may be no more than six lines per inch

• Page Margins • Use standard paper size (8 ½" x 11)

• Use at least one-half inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right) for all pages

• Figures, legends, tables, graphs, charts, etc. may use smaller font


140

The funded proposalThe funded proposal

The author of a funded proposal has accomplished the basic goal of grant writing when she has• Ensured the reviewers were intrigued and

excited about the proposed research,

• Understood its significance, and

• Were confident in the researcher’s capacity to perform.


141

Review of NIH ProposalsReview of NIH Proposals• Center for Scientific Review (CSR)

• Administers and coordinates peer review• http://www.csr.nih.gov/default.htm

• Divisions (4)• Integrated Review Groups (IRG) – 23• Study Sections (SS) – 220

• Scientific Review Officer (SRO)• Members (peers with expertise in SS research)

• Standing members• Ad hoc members

• Study section rosters postedhttp://www.csr.nih.gov/Roster_proto/sectionI.asp


142

Center for Scientific Review

Scientific Review Group or IC Review Branch

IC Advisory Council

Institute Director

FUNDING DECISION

What happens when you submit an application?


143

Understand the NIH Review ProcessUnderstand the NIH Review Process

• Two-step Review process• Peer review is merit-based

• Applications receive three individual reviews• Scores range from 100–500• Written critiques provided to investigator

• Advisory Council or Board• Meritorious proposals considered against

mission, needs, and budget


144

Your application is reviewed Your application is reviewed at study section by:at study section by:

● Experts● Non-experts● People who are reading lots of grants● People who want to be excited by science● People who will be irritated by a sloppy application

Submit a high quality application!Have people review your application critically

well before submission


145

NIH General Review CriteriaNIH General Review Criteria

• Investigator• Education, training, relevant experience

• Environment• Suitability of facilities and institution support

• Significance• Ability of the project to improve health

• Approach• Feasibility of methods and appropriateness of budget

• Innovation• Originality of research


146

CSR – Review & ‘Streamlining’CSR – Review & ‘Streamlining’

• Proposal received at CSR• Assigned to an IRG, then to a Study Section (SS)• The Scientific Review Administrator (SRA) assigns a

primary, secondary, and tertiary reviewer• Investigator-initiated proposals (R01, R03, R21) are read by

the 1°, 2°, 3° reviewers• Bottom 50% of proposals are identified about 1 week

prior to the SS meeting (triaged or streamlined)• Streamlined applications receive summary statements

verbatim from each reviewer, but are not discussed nor scored

• All 3 reviewers must agree on the streamlined proposals in order for the proposal to be triaged


147

CSR – Scoring ProposalsCSR – Scoring Proposals• SS meets to review applications• Primary reviewer presents your proposal to the group (reads the

abstract)• SS members discuss your application, the primary reviewer is able to

answer questions about the proposal

• SS members assign a score to the proposal between 1-5 (1=outstanding, 5=forget it)

• After the meeting the SRA calculates the average score for each proposal, multiply by 100 to get a 3 digit score (100-500)• SRA calculates a priority score or percentile ranking of the score; based on

the past 3 cycles of grant scores within SS

• SRA prepares a written critique of your proposal based on reviewer’s comments


148

Three possible outcomes of Three possible outcomes of proposal reviewproposal review

1. Triaged

2. Discussed, scored, not funded

3. Discussed, scored, FUNDED!


149

Receive review commentsReceive review comments

• If your proposal is not funded…• Deal constructively with

rejection


150

Revisions & ResubmissionRevisions & Resubmission• Three strikes “you’re out”

• Read the reviewer’s comments• Take a break • Re-read the reviewer’s comments• Don’t take them personally• Read the reviewer’s comments,

AGAIN• Call the program officer for more

feedback• Evaluate if you should resubmit

• Begin working on the revisions. Incorporate the revisions that you think make your proposal better than the previous submission

XXTwoTwo


151

Interpreting Reviews – Planning to Interpreting Reviews – Planning to ResubmitResubmit

• Were certain issues mentioned consistently?• Plan how to address those issues

• Did the reviewers misunderstand your proposal?• Plan how to make your text more clear

• Was no clear issue mentioned?• May not have excited reviewers enough• May not be an area they wish to fund now• May not fit into their research portfolio

• Many funded proposals were funded after multiple submissions → intelligent perseverance is the key!


152

Revise and resubmit your applicationRevise and resubmit your application

• Respect the views of reviewers• Review the reviews• Decide whether or not you have a

viable project• If you don’t, revise the idea or come up

with a new one• If you do, revise and resubmit the

application


153

Receive review commentsReceive review comments

• If your proposal is funded…

Celebrate!


154

Tips for Success at NIHTips for Success at NIH• Understand NIH’s mission and overall goals

• Propose research topics that cross the boundaries of various IC

• Leverage tools and resources from other research areas to approach your research topic

• Create multidisciplinary research teams

• Focus on NIH priorities• Search for funding opportunities often and using

different strategies, e.g., agency or topic search, and submit unsolicited proposals when possible

• Look for various opportunities to acquire funding, e.g., diversity supplements, career awards

• Partner with established NIH investigators


155

Tips for Success with NIH GrantsTips for Success with NIH Grants

• Read the solicitation• Sign up for the Weekly NIH Funding

Opportunities and Notices• Identify your "IC home"• Get to know your Program Officer• Study the "how-to" NIH websites• Develop a descriptive title• Write a concise, non-ambiguous

Abstract/Summary• Write Specific Aims that are hypothesis-

driven with clear, measurable outcomes


156

The Last Word:The Last Word:The proposal is the only realityThe proposal is the only reality

A proposal is not unlike a novel or a movie. It creates its own, self-contained reality. The proposal contains all the funding agency and review panel will know about your capabilities and your capacity to perform. With few exceptions, an agency bases its decision to fund or not fund entirely on the proposal and the persuasive reality it creates.


157

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources• Office of Proposal Development, TAMU

http://opd.tamu.edu/ • Funding Opportunities

http://opd.tamu.edu/funding-opportunities • Resources for Junior Faculty

http://opd.tamu.edu/resources-for-junior-faculty

• The Craft of Grant Writing workbookhttp://opd.tamu.edu/the-craft-of-writing-workbook

• National Science Foundationhttp://www.nsf.gov/ • Find Funding

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/ • Funded Research

http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/


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Web ResourcesWeb Resources• National Institutes of Health http://www.nih.gov/

• Grant Application Basicshttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/grant_basics.htm

• All About Grants Tutorialhttp://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/grants/default.htm

• New Investigator Portalhttp://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/grants/new/portal.htm

• Annotated R01 Research Plan and Summary Statementhttp://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/grants/app/

• Mock Peer Review Videohttp://www.csr.nih.gov/Video/Video.asp

• CRISP funded biomedical researchhttp://crisp.cit.nih.gov/

http://www.nih.gov/

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/grant_basics.htm

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/grants/default.htm

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/grants/new/portal.htm

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/grants/app/

http://www.csr.nih.gov/Video/Video.asp

http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/


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Web ResourcesWeb Resources• Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov

• GrantsNet sponsored by AAAS and HHMIhttp://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/funding

• Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programshttp://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/default.htm

• Philanthropy News Digest RFP listingshttp://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/

• American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/docroot/RES/RES_0.asp• American Heart Associationhttp://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=9713

• Cancer Research Institute http://www.cancerresearch.org/criprogs.html

• Life Sciences Research Foundation http://www.lsrf.org/geninfo.htm

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org/


http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/default.htm


http://www.cancer.org/docroot/RES/RES_0.asp

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=9713

http://www.cancerresearch.org/criprogs.html

http://www.lsrf.org/geninfo.htm

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/


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161


162

Grant Writers' Seminars and Workshops

http://grantcentral.com/

Documents

Competing for Funding in the Biomedical Sciences from the National Institutes of Health & Elsewhere October 28, 2008 John Ivy [email protected] Office of