Post on 24-Dec-2015
GRANT WRITING FOR SUCCESS
Grant Writing for Success
LeShawndra N. Price, Ph.D., NIMH, NIHDana Plude, CSR, NIH
Henry Khachaturian, Ph.D., OEP/NIH
Take Home Messages
Become a well-informed consumerLearn 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 careerTalk with potential mentors, collaborators, &
peersTake advantage of many available resources
Grant Writing for Success
Writing the Application: Start Planning EARLY Develop your good idea
Use the NIH webpage (www.nih.gov) 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
START PLANNING YOUR APPLICATION
EARLY
Grantsmanship Tips101
“Anatomy” of Grant Process“Anatomy” of Grant Process
Program StaffProgram Staff ProgramAnnouncement
or RFA
ProgramAnnouncement
or RFA
Grant Application(R01, R03, R21,K01, K08, etc.)
Grant Application(R01, R03, R21,K01, K08, etc.)
NationalAdvisoryCouncil
NationalAdvisoryCouncil
Program Staff Program Staff
$
Rev
isio
nR
evis
ion
Researcher
IdeaInstitution
Researcher
IdeaInstitution
CSRReferral
and Review
CSRReferral
and Review
CollaboratorsCollaborators
Assess Your Readiness…Then, Determine Your Goals
6
You are here
Success is Relative…
and
Local
Pre-Submission Planning Timeline
call NIH
Assess Your Readiness
Research Experience Previous supported research/Principal Investigator Research administration experience Publications in proposed/related research areas
TimeCommitmentKnowledge
Assess Your Capacity
Research support available to youInstitution (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
Make a Plan…Plan to Work…Work Your Plan
10
• Make a Plan
• Plan to Work
• Use Your Time Effectively
• Work Your Plan
• Be Flexible Enough for Course Corrections
DEVELOPING YOUR GOOD IDEA INTO:
STRONG SCIENCE A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION
Grantsmanship Tips101
Components of Strong Applications
Strong Idea +Strong Science
=Strong Application
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?
Good Idea
FURTHER DEVELOPING YOUR GOOD IDEA
UNDERSTAND THE MISSION OF THE NIH
Grantsmanship Tips101
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!
www.nih.gov
Look for the IC Website of Interest
18
GRANTS.NIH.GOV
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
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GRANTS.NIH.GOV
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
NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html
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
Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool (RePORT)
http://report.nih.gov
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
http://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm
NIH RePORTer
Search Results
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?
Grantsmanship Tips101
What should I talk about with a Program Official?28
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 FOAsWhat kinds of grant mechanisms can be
used and are there any priorities for those mechanisms?
Will the PO read a concept paper? Send one.
Email to set up a time to discuss—remember, this is advice, not obligation
What is a Concept Paper?29
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
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
Grantsmanship Tips101
Principles of Success
Understand the agency mission Every IC is different!
Understand the peer review processLearn and practice the skills of writing
applications for grant fundsSecure collaborators (mentors) to
complement your expertise and experience Don’t compete … collaborate!
Collaborate with Others
Collaborate with others In your department In other departments
Network at MeetingsStay connected to past
colleagues and mentorsUse technology (social
networking sites)Cultivate a strong
network that understands the funding process
Remember … Before you start
Talk to Program Staff at appropriate ICRead instructions for application formAre you a New or Early Stage Investigator?
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/index.htm
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
PRESENTING GOOD IDEAS CLEARLY
IS PARAMOUNT!
DEVELOPING YOUR IDEA
Grantsmanship Tips101
3 Simple Steps
3 Simple StepsRead the application
instructions carefullyRead the application
instructions carefullyDon’t forget … ... read the application
instructions carefully
Presentation Matters
Develop a Strong Research Plan
Grab the reader immediatelyState long-term objectives
AND expected impactExplicitly state hypotheses
and research question
Specific Aims
Develop a Strong Research Plan
Why is this research important?
Expands on the specific aimsIdentifies key themes of the
literature and links to specific aims
Critically analyzes existing literature
Documents a solid theoretical basis for your study
Background/Significance
Develop a Strong Research Plan
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
Preliminary Studies/Progress Report
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
Approach
Develop a Strong Research Plan
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
Approach-
Clinical Studies
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
Common 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
More Miscues
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!
ALIGN YOUR APPLICATION WITH THE REVIEW CRITERIA TO MAXIMIZE IMPACT:
Significance Investigator Innovation Approach Environment
Grantsmanship Tips101
Align with Review Criteria
1. Overall Impact2. 5 Core Review Criteria:
Significance Investigator Innovation Approach Environment
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-025.html
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-024.html
Review Criteria for Career Development Awards
CandidateCareer Development Plan Goals and ObjectivesResearch PlanMentor(s), Co-mentor(s), Consultants, CollaboratorsEnvironment & Institutional Commitment to
Candidate
Review Criteria compared: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/peer/guidelines_general/Review_Criteria_at_a_glance.pdf
Final Priority Score
OVERALL IMPACTThe 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!
Align with Review Criteria
Scored Criteria Application
Significance Research Strategya. Significance
Investigator(s) Biosketch - Personal StatementLetters of Support
Innovation Research Strategyb. Innovation
Approach Research Strategyc. Approach
Environment Facilities & Other Resources
Other Review Considerations
Human subjectsAnimal care and useSelect agentsModel organism sharing planData sharing planThe FOA will list the review criteria and any additional issues that reviewers will be asked to evaluate.
G E T F E E D B A C K
S H O W YO U R D R A F T A P P L I C AT I O N TO A C O L L EA G U E
S H O W YO U R D R A F T A P P L I C AT I O N TO A C O L L EA G U E … W H O D O E S N OT A L R EA DY K N O W W H AT YO U I N T E N D TO D O
S H O W YO U R D R A F T A P P L I C AT I O N TO A C O L L EA G U E … W H O I S N OT YO U R B E S T F R I E N D
Grantsmanship Tips 101
YO U R D R A F T R E V I E W E RS N E E D TO U N D E R S TA N D What you intend to do Why you believe it is important to do Exactly how you are going to do it
I F T H E Y D O N ’ T G E T I T, YO U M U S T R E V I S E YO U R A P P L I C AT I O N .
L EAV E E N O U G H T I M E F O R R E V I S I O N S
Grantsmanship Tips101
PROVIDE A GOOD PRESENTATION
Grantsmanship Tips101
Keys to Good Presentation
Be realistic … not overly ambitiousDiscuss potential problem areas and possible solutionsBe explicit
Reviewers cannot read your mind! Don’t expect reviewers to read between the lines Don’t assume they know what you intend!
Get to the right review groupTitle, abstract, specific aims all point to the main goals of your
projectAttach 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
Understand the dynamics of peer review:Reviewers will review many applicationsMake your application easy to read and easy to
understandThe impact and significance should be clear throughout
the applicationConvince them to be your advocate
Get them on your side!
GUIDANCE FOR A COMPETITIVE GRANT APPLICATION
Grantsmanship Tips101
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
Hallmarks of a Competitive Grant Application
How to assure that your application is competitive?
Good ideas, well presented always winThink clearlyWrite clearlyBe complete but not verboseNever lose sight of the significancePoint to the impactPay attention to details
FUNDING DECISIONS
Grantsmanship Tips101
• Scientific merit
• Program considerations
• Availability of funds
What Determines Which Applications Are Funded?
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
AFTER PEER REVIEW
Grantsmanship Tips101
After the Review
• Read the summary statement• 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
If Not Funded, Try Again!
NIH Regional Seminars June 2013
You are in good companyKnow your optionsGet advice, RegroupContact your Program Officer
Revising and Resubmitting
Write A Clear Introduction SectionAddress All Criticisms ThoroughlyRespond ConstructivelyAcknowledge and Accept the Help of Reviewer
CommentsDon’t Be Argumentative!Don’t be Abrasive or Sarcastic!
Additional Supporting Material
Examples
Reviewers’ Concerns taken from Grant Applications and Summary Statements
# 1There is not a
CLEAR HYPOTHESIS, or
WELL DEFINED GOALS
Provide a focused hypothesis, objectivesDescribe the importance and relevance of your
problemBe clear on how your project will move the field
forward
# 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
# 3
The project is OVERLY AMBITIOUS
Set realistic goals for the budget and project period you propose
# 4
PRELIMINARY DATA are lacking
Include preliminary data for all aimsUse preliminary data to show knowledge of methods
and data analysesBut DO propose more than just confirming
preliminary results
# 5
It is not clear that the Investigator can do the PROPOSED RESEARCH
Don’t propose what you can’t doInclude Collaborators and Consultants on your
projectDescribe the value of datasets and experimental
models
# 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
# 7Methodological details,
alternative approaches, or interpretation of data
are INADEQUATELY DESCRIBED
Don’t assume the reviewers know the methodsProvide other experimental directions you might use
should you encounter problemsShow the reviewers that you have thought about your
research plan
Three Simple Rules to remember when planning,
writing and submitting your application
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
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’
Substance Matters
Focus on the MAIN objectivesClearly link methods to AIMs/ObjectivesKnow your audience – 3 (or so) assigned reviewers not all
of whom have focal expertise in your area.
Be FOCUSED, CONCISE AND SUCCINCT
http://public.csr.nih.gov/Pages/default.aspx
"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."
Where Do I Get More Information?
NIH homepage: http://www.nih.gov/
Office of Extramural Research (OER): http://www.grants.nih.gov
CSR website: http://www.csr.nih.gov/
Writing a SuccessfulCareer (K) Application
What is Different about K awards?
• Strategy
• Planning
• Application Requirement
• Review Criteria
Timeline for K Applications
Review:
Jun/July
Oct/Nov
Feb/Mar
Council:
October
January
May
Award Date:
December
April
July
Receipt Date:
Feb 12 (Mar
12)
Jun 12 (Jul
12)
Oct 12 (Nov
12)
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.
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.
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.
Application Requirements
Candidate Qualifications, Career Goals and Objectives
Mentor (s), Collaborators, and Consultants
Institution Environment and Commitment to the Candidate
Specific Aims Research Strategy
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 referenceCareer 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
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
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
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
…AND WE HOPE YOU FIND SUCCESS WITH NIH
FUNDING !
Use all your NIH Resources