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Hints for Preparing More Competitive Grant Applications

Learn the key components, rules, and guidelines for preparing a competitive grant application, specifically focusing on navigating the NIH peer review system. Understand the importance of completeness, clarity, and compliance with instructions, as well as strategies for making your application reviewer-friendly and impactful.

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Hints for Preparing More Competitive Grant Applications

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  1. Hints for Preparing More Competitive Grant Applications Peter R. Jackson, Ph.D. Chief, AIDS Clinical and Epidemiology Research Review Branch Scientific Review Program DEA, NIAID, NIH, DHHS 6700 B Rockledge Drive, Room 3133, MSC 7616 Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone 301.496.8426 Fax 301.480.2310 PJackson@mail.nih.gov

  2. “The Rules”for Navigating the NIH Peer Review System

  3. "The Rules"For Navigating the NIH Peer Review System Rule 1: YOUR APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETE IN ITSELF

  4. Components of a Research Grant Application • Correct version of the application (PHS 398 Revised 09/2004. • Face page • Description, Performance Sites, Key Personnel • Budget • Biographical Sketches ("biosketches") • Resources • THE RESEARCH PLAN • Human subjects /animal welfare issues • Literature Cited • Consortia/subcontracts / consultants • Appendix

  5. The Research Plan Correct number of pages…. a. Specific Aims b. Background and Significance c. Preliminary Studies/Progress Report d. Research Design and Methods

  6. 1. Your application must be complete in itself... Significance • Rationale • Expected benefits/uses of the work • Relevance to important problem(s) • Clear, focused aims - hypothesis- driven • Emphasize mechanism

  7. 1. Your application must be complete in itself... Approach • Methods - clear, specific, detailed • Why you chose these methods • Preliminary data – if required (always good to have), your interpretations

  8. 1. Your application must be complete in itself... Approach • Pitfalls and possible solutions • Strategy for reaching objective within timeframe • Prioritization of aims/experiments • Plans for analysis of results

  9. 1. Your application must be complete in itself... Innovation • What is new/innovative about research question or methods

  10. 1. Your application must be complete in itself... Investigators • Specific responsibilities of each • How training/experience qualifies each for their role • Past accomplishments, in specific terms • How consultants/collaborators complete the expertise required • Staff will have sufficient time available for the project to succeed

  11. 1. Your application must be complete in itself... Environment • Organizational framework, and how it will contribute to success • Coordination/communication plans among staff, organizations • Special resources/facilities available to this project • Dedication of facilities/resources to this project

  12. 1. Your application must be complete in itself... • Special sections: • Human subjects • Animal use • Biohazards • Data Sharing • Model Organism Sharing • Stem Cells • Select Agent Use • Budget • Justify, relate to work proposed • MODULAR format for most applications

  13. 1. Your application must be complete in itself... Description (abstract) ...key to referral, assignment • Clear, factual synopsis of entire proposal • No sales pitch nor restatement of the very obvious • Carefully work abstract • Write last

  14. "The Rules"For Navigating the NIH Peer Review System Rule 2: MAKE IT EASY FOR THE REVIEWERS

  15. 2. Make it easy for the reviewers... • Clear overall organization • Conciseness and clarity • Visually appealing: charts, tables, diagrams, flow-charts • Use appendices well • Cross-reference, label, number everything • Write to the 5 Review Criteria, in order • Most applications distributed are scanned – on CD, some on paper (B&W copies). Be sure your application can be read under such conditions.

  16. "The Rules"For Navigating the NIH Peer Review System Rule 3: PLAY IT STRAIGHT

  17. 3. Play it straight... • Lay out potential limitations, problems • Show how you propose to deal with them • Don't pad biosketches with irrelevant or trivial items • Don't intentionally over- or under-estimate the budget • Don't indulge in blatant self-promotion

  18. "The Rules"For Navigating the NIH Peer Review System Rule 4: READ AND CAREFULLY FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

  19. PHS Research Grant Application Kit (form PHS 398) Available online at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm Frequently updated Fillable forms (.pdf or .rtf)

  20. 4. Carefully follow instructions... • Format and content (PHS398) • Special requirements of award type or solicitation • Deadlines – special for AIDS, solicited applications (RFA, PA) • Submission instructions (how many copies to which addresses)

  21. "The Rules"For Navigating the NIH Peer Review System Rule 5: DON'T WORK IN A VACUUM

  22. 5. Don’t work in a vacuum... • Actively seek out collaborations • Network widely • Read a successful similar application (and its summary statement) • Allow enough time for honest feedback from senior investigators

  23. "The Rules"For Navigating the NIH Peer Review System Rule 6: BE AWARE OF CHANGES IN SCIENCE AND POLICIES

  24. for GrantsNIH GUIDE and ContractsU.S. Department of Health and Human Services • NIH Guide available at the NIH Web Site : http://www.nih.gov • Announces NIH Funding Opportunities • Provides NIH Policy and Administrative Information

  25. 6.... Be aware of changes in science and policies • NIH home pages on WWW • Program Officers • University Office of Sponsored Programs • Scientific Review Administrators

  26. 6.... Be aware of changes in science and policies Especially Relevant Web Sites NEW INVESTIGATORS http://grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/index.htm RESEARCH TRAINING http://grants.nih.gov/training/resources.htm

  27. 6.... Be aware of changes in science and policies NIAID Council Newsletter http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn Contains information on • NIAID Funding News • Funding Opportunities • Paylines and Budget • Grants and Contracts • All About Grants tutorials

  28. 6.... Be aware of changes in science and policies NIAID Council Newsletter (con’t)http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn Also has information on • Extramural Standard Operating Procedures • Questions and Answers • Glossary of Funding Terms • Find It! Index • Extramural Contacts

  29. 6.... Be aware of changes in science and policies Electronic Research Administration: http://era.nih.gov Electronic submission of R01s,R03s, R21s begins June-July 2005) • FLEXIBILE BIODEFENSE OPPORTUNITIES • http://www2.niaid.nih.gov/Biodefense/rfalplat.htm NIAID BIODEFENSE AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES RESEARCH INITIATIVES ACCEPT R03, R21, or R01 TYPE APPLICATIONS

  30. "The Rules"For Navigating the NIH Peer Review System  Rule 7: DON'T GIVE UP

  31. 7. Don’t give up!! • Initial failure is common • Learn from it and succeed -- majority do • study criticisms in summary statement • decide if problems are repairable • attend diligently to each criticism • keep a positive tone and attitude

  32. Questions?

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