Grant Writing Information Session Kristen Burwell Graduate Writing Fellow May 1, 2013

Types of Grants - NIH T: Institutional Research Training Grant – granted to institutions for graduate students and post-doc appointments F: Fellowships – Individual post-doc fellowships for behavioral science or biomedical research K: Research Center Development Awards – granted to develop research scientists with potential NIH K awards can be given to early or later career scientists

Types of Grants – Cont’d R: Research Grants – awarded to fund a specific objective or study in the area of interest of the principal investigator P: Program Grants – awarded to senior investigators to fund a broad long-term program of research (typically focus on disease mechanisms) P: Center Grants – awarded to senior investigators

Grant Outline Specific Aims Research Strategy References Background Significance Innovation Approach References Human Subjects, Environment, etc…

Grant Outline Cont’d Budget and budget justification Subcontract paperwork (optional) Biosketches Letters of Support Administrative pages Any subcontract paperwork, if including co-investigators from other institution

Scoring Criteria Impact scores run from 10 to 90, where 10 is best. Generally speaking, impact/priority scores of 10 to 30 are most likely to be funded; scores between 31 and 45 might be funded; scores greater than 46 are rarely funded.

Before you begin… Be very familiar with the review criteria Significance – scientific, practical relevance Investigators – expertise and training Innovation – shift in current research Approach – soundness of research strategy Environment – institutional resources and access to relevant equipment Approach: Soundness of overall strategy, methods, analyses. anticipate problems, address risks

Timeline Create a writing timeline or calendar Be realistic Incorporate opportunities for multiple reviews before final submission Use your resources

Grant Components Specific Aims Discuss the purpose of the proposal and public health relevance Discuss current literature Discuss the gap in knowledge and why it should be addressed Include long-term and short-term goals Include hypothesis for each aim Demonstrate the impact of your work (innovation and expected outcomes) Discuss current literature (what do we already know)

Grant Components Cont’d Background and Significance Mention why the work is significant, including benefits to the knowledge obtained Conduct a critical evaluation of major findings Cite key articles Discuss how your project may address discrepancies in the literature Provide a rationale for all of the gaps that you have identified

Grant Components Cont’d Preliminary Studies Demonstrate you and your teams’ competence and expertise Prevent relevant data and conclusions Connect the preliminary data with your proposed research Include figures and tables

Grant Components Cont’d Research Design and Methods Discuss how you will conduct your research study Organize by specific aims Include specific methodology to accomplish your research goals Include your power analysis Mention limitations and alternative strategies to avoid or handle potential problems

Grant Opportunities EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships for Graduate Environmental Study http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2013/2013_star_gradfellow.html Deadline: late October, early November New Requirement: cannot involve human subjects Proposal Description: 5 pages

EPA STAR Materials Application for Federal Assistance, (SF) 424 EPA Key Contacts Form (5700-54) Front Page Personal Statement Proposal Description Background Information: Education & Relevant Experiences Publications & Presentations Course Work Letters of Recommendation (sent by referees)

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