MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Grant Writing An Overview

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information What is a grant? “ A grant is a mechanism by which an agency awards money to fund a research study or other activity, such as an educational program, service program, demonstration, or research project. ” Gitlin, Laura N., Kevin J. Lyons. Successful Grant Writing: Strategies for Health and Human Service Professionals. 2 nd ed. (2004).p.xi

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Why apply for a grant? Advance scientific knowledge in your field AND advance your professional career A grant means that experts in the field acknowledge your idea as important and worthy of public or private support. A grant means an enhanced prestige of your institution. A grant means a contribution to the financial health of your department, school or agency A grant means new opportunities for your research assistants. A grant means a new program that otherwise can be too expensive for your institution to support and implement (Gitlin & Lyons, 2004)

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Why start now? Grant writing is an important part of your professional growth strategy. It should become a long-range plan for your professional growth and development: Build individual credentials Build a track record of funding Work on teams with more experienced researchers Develop a plan for long-range, personal development (Gitlin & Lyons, 2004)

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information How do I get a grant?

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Funding = your interest + the interests of a funding agency “No matter how good your idea and how well- written your proposal, if the agency to which you are applying is not interested in your project, you will not be funded!” Rief-Lehrer, Liane. Grant Application Writer’s Handbook. 4th ed. (2005) Photo by Anne Hornyak

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Federal Government The majority of grants are received through the federal agencies. The Public Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S.Department of Education have a variety of programs of potential interest to the health professionals. National Institutes of Health (NIH) is an agency of DHHS. photo by Shubert

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Private Foundations 700,000+ U.S. foundations offer grants to individuals, institutions, or other non-profit groups. Generally only independent foundations and community foundations provide grants to independent investigators.

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Corporations Large corporations are interested in the testing or evaluation of their own products. The private sector is a potential source of funding. Corporations provide grants for research projects that advance the interests of the company.

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information In this tutorial, we’ll be focusing on federal grants.

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information National Institutes of Health (NIH) The Federal focal point for medical research in the United States. NIH is comprised of 27 separate components (Institutes and Centers) The majority of NIH funding is distributed in the form of grants. To fulfill its mission, NIH: –Supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions in the United States and abroad (Reif-Lehrer, 211)

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Mission of NIH Understanding what research NIH funds and why it does so can help you focus your application. NIH's mission is to create fundamental knowledge about living systems and apply that knowledge to reduce human illness and disability.

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information NIH Agency’s Mission Your project should meet the mission of the institute or agency likely to fund it. –For example: As one of NIH's 27 semi-autonomous institutes, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) supports basic and applied research to understand, treat, and prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases.

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information NIH Institutes and Centers

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Glossary of NIH Terms IC - Institutes and Centers PI - Principle Investigator (an individual, a recipient of the grant) PA - Program Announcement RFA - Request for Applications FOA - Funding Opportunity Announcement (PA or RFA) CSR - Center for Scientific Review For a complete list of terms and abbreviations click herehere

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information What are the types of projects that receive funding? Projects of High Scientific Caliber: –NIH looks for grant proposals of high scientific caliber that are relevant to public health needs and are within NIH Institute and Center (IC) priorities. ICs highlight their research priorities on their Web sites. Investigator-Initiated Research –NIH strongly encourages investigator-initiated research across the spectrum of their mission. They issue hundred of FOAs in the form of PAs and RFAs to stimulate research in particular areas of science.

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information What are Parent Announcements? Parent Announcements are requests for investigator- initiated, unsolicited research grant applications that do not fall within the scope of targeted announcements. The majority of NIH applications are submitted in response to parent announcements. Parent Announcements are also used for conference and scientific meetings grants

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Uniqueness By law, NIH cannot support a project already funded or pay for research that has already been done. Photo by Knokton

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Types of NIH Grants NIH grants are grouped into “Series”, all of which are grouped according to the type of research being conducted. –Research Grants (R series) –Career Development Awards (K series) –Research Training and Fellowships (T & F series) –Program Project/Center Grants (P series) –Resource Grants (various series) –Trans-NIH Programs

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Understanding Grant Process

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Understanding Grant Process

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Understanding Grant Process

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Priority Scores The lowest scores indicate the highest level of merit : Outstanding : Excellent : Very Good : Good : Acceptable

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Competition The NIH receives thousands of applications for each application receipt round. Funding on the first attempt is difficult, but not impossible. Photo by Marc Soller

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Planning Develop your ideas for funding –An idea must fit with your long term career interests, as well as the interests of a funding source –Examine these seven sources: Clinical or professional experience Professional literature Communications with colleagues and funded investigators Social trends Legislative initiatives Public documents Goals and priorities of funding agencies (Gitlin, 59)

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information “Even the best idea will not be funded unless it matches the interest of a funding agency. Competitive ideas must reflect both contemporary thought in a field and the interests of an agency” (Gitlin, 66)

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information More Planning Learn about your institution –Knowing your institution’s policies early in the proposal development will help you expedite the process, prepare a budget, and complete the application. –If your research proposal involves human subjects, plan ahead for its approval by your Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to conducting any type of research. (Gitlin, 69)

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Searching for Grants Determine what type of grant you will be using and which IC is most appropriate to fund this type of research Search for the proper FOA through grants.gov Once you have identified the FOA, read the FOA in detail, read the instructions carefully and follow the instructions exactly Finding and Applying for NIH Grants. SJM Family Foundation, Inc., p.21

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Search Exercise Click here Take 5 minutes to search for a grant on the web site. Suggested topic: obesity and diabetes in children

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Writing Be prepared to write, rewrite, and rewrite. Writing takes time; plan a working schedule. A well-written proposal should be clear, focused and precise. A poorly written proposal has the potential to limit the chances of having a competitive idea funded. (Gitlin, 149)

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Tips for Grant Writing Follow an outline Prepare figures, tables, and images before you write your proposal Be accurate Be clear & consistent Use words correctly Use sentences of 17 to 23 words Start paragraphs with clear, informative topic sentences Think about style Know when to avoid highly technical language (Reif-Lehrer, )

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Submitting an Application Applications are submitted electronically. NIH expects applications to be submitted on-time. Electronic submission involves two separate systems working together: Grants.gov and eRA Commons. Grants.gov requires a one-time registration by the applicant organization. The applicant organization and the Principle Investigator (PI) must also complete a one-time registration in the eRA Commons. (NIH Guide to Writing a Grant, 20.)

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Strategies for Novice Grant Writers Identify a research area Start a comprehensive literature review Develop a presentation at the professional meeting Write an article and submit to a smaller, local or state journal. Contact a publisher in your field and offer to review books Get experience in conducting research Seek out funding for a small project first Collaborate with experienced researches (Gitlin, 17)

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Understanding the NIH Review Process Evaluative Criteria: –Significance –Approach –Innovation –Investigator –Environment Click here Click here to view a video on Peer Review at NIH (39 minutes) This video is recommended but not required for a completion of the tutorial.

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Recommended Resources “ Grants and Funding ” BU Medical Library subject guide Grants and Funding Gitlin, Laura N., Kevin J. Lyons. Successful Grant Writing: Strategies for Health and Human Service Professionals. 2 nd ed. (2004). Rief-Lehrer, Liane. Grant Application Writer’s Handbook. 4th ed. (2005) Finding and Applying for NIH Grants. SJM Family Foundation, Inc., Grant Process Overview - from Office of Extramural Research, NIHGrant Process Overview

MS 640: Introduction to Biomedical Information Questions? Please contact your section instructor Thank you!