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Module 3 Writing A Successful Grant Application

This document provides guidance on writing a successful grant application. It outlines the key elements of the application, including a creative and well-defined research plan presented in clear language. It emphasizes starting the process by vetting ideas with colleagues and assessing resources. The main sections of the application - specific aims, significance, innovation, and approach - are discussed in detail. Common mistakes like being too ambitious or lacking preliminary data are highlighted. Following the guidance and checking the final application can help applicants avoid mistakes and improve their chances of receiving funding.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
57 views37 pages

Module 3 Writing A Successful Grant Application

This document provides guidance on writing a successful grant application. It outlines the key elements of the application, including a creative and well-defined research plan presented in clear language. It emphasizes starting the process by vetting ideas with colleagues and assessing resources. The main sections of the application - specific aims, significance, innovation, and approach - are discussed in detail. Common mistakes like being too ambitious or lacking preliminary data are highlighted. Following the guidance and checking the final application can help applicants avoid mistakes and improve their chances of receiving funding.

Uploaded by

tadele10
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Writing a Successful Grant Application

Lois Tully, Ph.D.


Program Director, Institutional Training &
Genetics Portfolios
Objectives

• Describe the elements of a successful


grant application
• Provide the tools needed to assemble the
application
• Highlight common mistakes and how to
avoid them
• Discuss the final check of the application
Elements of a Successful Grant Application

• Topic is creative and exciting


• Project has a well-defined research plan
• Information is presented in clear
language
• Guidelines of grant application kit are
followed
Starting the Process

Before you begin….


Think About the Big Picture

• Make sure the timing is right


• Form an interdisciplinary team early
• Vet your ideas with colleagues and
mentors
• Assess organizational resources and
collaborators
Think About the Big Picture

• Know the competition


• Determine the best mechanism
• Review funding announcements and
guide notices
• Discuss your concept with Program
Directors
• Set a timeline
Basic Questions Reviewers Ask

• Does the study have merit?


• What is the potential impact?
• How novel is the proposed work?
• Is the hypothesis/research question valid,
and is there evidence supporting it?
Basic Questions Reviewers Ask

• Are the aims logical?


• Are the procedures well designed?
• Are the investigators qualified?
• Is the environment conducive to the
research?
Developing the Hypothesis/ Research Question

• Strong and important to the field


• Testable
• Provide a strong rationale
• Consider alternative hypotheses
• Not a method in search of a problem
• Avoid a “fishing expedition”
Assembling Your Application…..
Is it Feasible?

Scope

Budget Timeline
Research Plan Sections

• Specific Aims
• Research Strategy
– Significance
– Innovation
– Approach

• Introduction (required for a


resubmission)
Specific Aims

• Should be highly focused


• Relate directly to the hypothesis/
research question
• Can be assessed by reviewers
Research Strategy Section

• Significance
• Innovation
• Approach
Research Strategy: Significance

• Should demonstrate the importance


of the work
• Should demonstrate how the
research will advance the field or
improve clinical practice
• Consider the longer term, bigger
picture impact of the research
Research Strategy: Innovation

• Should seek to shift paradigms


• Build upon existing research
• Develop new theories, tools,
approaches
• Accelerate and/or strengthen
research
Research Strategy: Approach

• Why this approach?


• Limitations of approach
• Include sufficient details
• Describe statistical methods
• Well-designed tables and figures
• Project timeline
Preliminary Studies

• Should support hypothesis/research


question to be tested
• Consist of publications and/ or
unpublished data
• Demonstrate how early studies will be
expanded in scope
• Include manuscripts in press (if not
publically available)
Other Considerations

• Human subjects
– Data Safety Monitoring Plan/ Board
– Targeted/Planned Enrollment Table

• Vertebrate animals
• Literature cited
• Consortium/Contractual arrangements/
Consultants
• Biosketches/Personal Statements
Biographical Sketch

• Personal Statement added


• Briefly describe why your experience
and qualifications make you
particularly well-suited for your role in
the project
Other Considerations

• Budget
• > $500K

• > $350K

• Appendices (see NOT-OD-10-077)


• Letters of Collaboration/Support
• Facilities and Resources (Environment)
• Page limits/Format specification
The Multiple PI Option

• Use when project requires a team approach


• New Investigator status will be applied to
multi-PI applications when all PIs qualify as
New Investigators
• Serving as a PI on a multiple PI grant is
equivalent to serving as a sole PI on a grant
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes: Specific Aims

• Too ambitious
• Unfocused aims/unclear goals
• Limited aims/uncertain future
directions
Common Mistakes: Significance

• Will not advance science


• Lack of compelling rationale
• Incremental and low impact research
Common Mistakes: Innovation

• Does not advance research or


clinical practice
• Is not new
• Does not generalize
Common Mistakes: Approach

• Too little or too much detail


• Not enough preliminary data to
establish feasibility
• Feasibility of each aim not shown
Common Mistakes: Approach

• Little or no expertise with approach


• Lack of appropriate controls
• Not directly testing hypothesis or asking
appropriate research questions
Common Mistakes: Approach

• Experiments not directed towards


mechanisms
• No discussion of alternative models or
hypotheses
• No discussion of potential pitfalls
• No discussion of interpretation of data
Common Mistakes: Investigator

• No demonstration of expertise or
publications in area of proposed research
• No collaborators recruited
• No letters from collaborators
Common Mistakes: Environment

• Little demonstration of
institutional support
• Insufficient resources to conduct
the study
After you write it….
The Final Review

• Check for typos and grammatical errors


• Ask someone outside of your project
team to review it
• Hold a mock review panel
• Think about the questions you would
ask if you were a reviewer
Inclusion of a Cover Letter

• NIH recommends a cover letter


• Indicate the primary Institute that may
be interested in your research
• Indicate expertise needed to review
your study

http://cms.csr.nih.gov/ResourcesforApplicants/Submission+And+Assignm
ent+Process.htm
Components of a Cover Letter

• Application title
• Funding Opportunity (PA/RFA)
• Request assignment to an Institute or
Scientific Review Group. NIH makes final
determination
• Disciplines involved, if multidisciplinary
Final Thoughts

• Presentation is key
• Leave yourself enough time
• Know the field
• Know the competition
• Make sure project is feasible
• Be clear, concise, comprehensive
Useful Websites
• SF424 Application Guide:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/SF424_RR_Guide_Gene
ral_Adobe_VerB.pdf

• Frequently Asked Questions about NIH Grants:


http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/faq.htm

• Research Involving Human Subjects:


http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/hs/

• Center for Scientific Review:


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

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