GrantspersonshipGrantspersonship --- ---International grant applicationInternational grant application
Lin Lu
Workshop outlineWorkshop outline
• Introduction to grant writing
The process of obtaining a grant Key component of grant applications
Types of grantsTypes of grants
Objective Training/career Research Conference Equipment infrastructure
Form Investigator-initiated ---individual----groups “set-aside” grants contracts
Sources of grantsSources of grants
Government
-NNSF
-NIH
-NSFNon-government
organization
-WHO
Private foundation
Health Voluntaries- --Chinese Medical
Association
- Corporations- --Pfizer Inc.
Why people don’t get fundedWhy people don’t get funded
• Because it is too hard?
• Inadequate concept
• Poor presentation
• Poor understanding of process
• Lack of persistence
The processThe processPreparing
1. Establish frame of mind
2. Develop concept (>3 m)
3. Identify funding source
4. Inform your institute
5. Refine concept
Writing6. Think like a reviewer
7. Outline, write, edit
8. Get feedback & revise
Submitting9. Get approvals (2-60 d)
10. Request assignment
11. Submit application (0 d)
12. Provide add’l materials
13. Ensure receipt
Responding14. Await review
15. Study report
16. Respond to report
Think ahead and plan backwards
Phase1: PreparingPhase1: Preparing
1. Establish frame of mind
2. Develop concept
3. Identify funding source
4. Inform your institute
5. Refine concept
1. Establish frame of mind1. Establish frame of mind
Often: little enthusiasm Better: a wonderful opportunity
2. Develop a concept that 2. Develop a concept that FITSFITS
Fills a gap in knowledge Important to
-the field
-funding agency
-you Tests a hypothesis
-(if possible)
-provides measurable results Short-term investment in long-term goals
Getting information on Getting information on agencies that fund researchagencies that fund research
InternetColleaguesAcknowledgements on paperAdministration at your institution
3. Identify funding source3. Identify funding source
Improve odds: match objectives
-research interests
-your personal characteristics
. Career phase
. Gender, ethnicity
Communicative with program staff !!!
Information to collect Information to collect
Is concept relevant Current instructions Who reviews What are criteria Funding
-percentage
-level (amount, year)
-experience
4. Inform those involved 4. Inform those involved
Funding agency: letter of intent
- required
. Screening mechanism
- optional
. Administrative planning
Individuals at your institution
- administration
- assistants
People to give feedback
5. Refine your concept5. Refine your concept
Review current literature Talk with colleagues Think hard
6. Outline, Write, and Edit6. Outline, Write, and Edit
Begin with a full outline 1-2 d
Write initial draft without editing 2-3 wk
Edit thoroughly 2-3 wk
4-6 wk
Time spent reading proposalTime spent reading proposal
Primary reviewer 7-8 hrSecondary reviewer 1 hrsDiscussion at study section 20 min
Survey by Janet Rasey of NIH R01 proposals reviews
ImplicationsImplications Anticipate question, provide answers Know and use the review criteria1. Significance2. Innovation3. Approach4. Investigate5. Environment also: ethical conduct of research
Sample review criteriaSample review criteria
NIH
Significance
Approach
Innovation
Investigator
Environment
NSF
Intellectual merit
“Broader impacts”
American Cancer Society
Scientific merit
Investigator
Environment
Control cancer, benefit pts.
Pew Charitable Trusts
Fits their mission
Quality
Accountability
Sound design
General organizationGeneral organization Use headings frequently Write in paragraphs
-1 major idea per paragraph
- topic sentences
- initial paragraphs of section most important
Have a table of contents
Make it easy to find key points
- bold face • headings • terms - cross reference - some redundancy
Appearance Appearance
Select good type face good
Times Roman
Century Schoolbook
- size > 11 pt
- occasionally use special fonts
let your text - indent paragraphs
- skip line between paragraphs
Conform to instructions!
- type size - margins
- # pages - sections
A. A. Background and Significance
B. The importance of training in “survival skills.” Success in science requires a solid background in a specific scientific discipline as well as extensive laboratory experience. However, for individuals to develop into accomplished professional, they must acquire survival skills, that is , they must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, obtain employment and funding, manage stress and time, teach, and behave responsibly (Bloom 1992; Bird 1994; national Academy of Sciences 1995).This has always been the case and is becoming even more true as our doctoral and postdoctoral trainees need to be prepared for a variety of vocations (National Academy of Science 1995; Varmus 1995)
In addition to traditional jobs in academia, many of our trainees will ultimately find themselves doing research in industry, teaching in 4-year colleges, or serving in some administrative capacity. Others will combine their PhDs with professional degree in medicine or law and become clinical researchers, patent layers, or become involved in the formulation of public
A. BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCEA. BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE
The importance of training in “survival skills.” Success in science requires a solid background in a specific scientific discipline as well as extensive laboratory experience. However, for individuals to develop into accomplished professional, they must acquire survival skills, that is , they must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, obtain employment and funding, manage stress and time, teach, and behave responsibly (Bloom 1992; Bird 1994; national Academy of Sciences 1995).This has always been the case and is becoming even more true as our doctoral and postdoctoral trainees need to be prepared for a variety of vocations (National Academy of Science 1995; Varmus 1995)
In addition to traditional jobs in academia, many of our trainees will ultimately find themselves doing research in industry, teaching in 4-year colleges, or serving in some administrative capacity. Others will combine their PhDs with professional degree in medicine or law and become clinical researchers, patent layers, or become involved in the formulation of public
8. Get feedback and revise:8. Get feedback and revise:Asking for helpAsking for help
Yes− Program staff− Former reviewer− Colleague
NO!- Current reviewer
9. Get approvals9. Get approvals
Use of subjects - humans
- animals
Safety Agreements - collaborators
- consultants
Your institute
-office of research
-department chair
Clues for assignment officerClues for assignment officer
Title Abstract Specific aims Cover letter Input from program staff
10. Submit application10. Submit application
Know the deadline Anticipate problems Give yourself extra time What if you are late? - call and ask
- there often is a grace period
- sometimes there isn’t
11. Await review11. Await reviewWhat will be happeningWhat will be happening
1. Assignment2. Evaluation - staff
- peers • sitting panel • external reviewers
3. Preparation of report, which may - not be available - need to request - take 2-3 mo - be incomplete - contain contradictions
12. Study the report 12. Study the report
Possible outcomes - scored
• high
• “gray area”
• low
- rejected
Reasons for rejection:Reasons for rejection:Research proposalsResearch proposals
not innovative, important inadequate rationale uncritical approach not well reasoned
lacks expt’l detail overambitious diffuse or uncertain future
directions ethical concerns
Reasons for rejection:Reasons for rejection:FellowshipsFellowships
weak candidate - productivity
- letters
- training
Poor mentor - research
- funding
- experience
inadequate proposal - quality of research
- relevance to training
Weak institution - colleagues
- support
13. Respond to Critique13. Respond to CritiqueIf funded,
but with reduced budget
Estimate what can be accomplished Renegotiate
- objective
- experiments save rest for future application
If scores is in “gray zone”If scores is in “gray zone”
talk to program officer Consider providing additional material - rebuttal
- evidence of feasibility
If not funded
Revised application - some changes
- some polite rebuttal Request new reviewers
Sections of an applicationTitle
Abstract
Budget & justification
Biographical sketches of key participants
Research plan
Subject welfare
Supplementary materials
TitleTitle Mini-abstract Accurate statement of long-term goals Conform to guidelines Include key words
AbstractAbstract
ContentsContents background specific aims unique features methodology expected results
method of evaluation generalizability relation to field broad impact
Research planResearch plan
A. Specific Aims
B. Background & Significance
C. Preliminary Data
D. Research Design & Methods
A. Specific AimsA. Specific Aims
Goals long-term broad diffuse
“Specific Aims” short-term specific measurable hypothesis-driven
A. Specific AimsA. Specific Aims
Goal (long-term objective)
Develop interventions that reduce the cognitive deficits associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Specific Aims (short-term)
1) Identify the behavioral consequences of the loss of cholinergic neurons in forebrain, and
2) Determine the extent to which these effects can be reversed by increased activation of specific subtypes of Ach receptors.
A. Specific AimsA. Specific Aims
Small number (~3-5) Specific Single sentence Lead to hypothesis-driven experiments
Example 2 Examine effect of GDNF on cell death caused by stroke
Hypothesize that GDNF attenuates cell death induced by stroke via the activation of MAP kinase
B. Background & SignificanceB. Background & Significance literature review
- rationale for project
- state of the end
your proposal
- innovation
- contribution to field
be selective deal with contradictions include own work include reviewer’s work cite sources
C. Preliminary DataC. Preliminary Data
feasibility of methods support for hypothesis
summarize critical findings include reprints in appendix interpret results critically
D. Research Design & MethodsD. Research Design & Methods
Parallel to Specific Aims Match to funds, time Be specific: methods/data analysis Be Hypothesis-driven Discuss contingencies
ExperimentsExperiments
Specific Aim 1 - Identify the behavioral consequences of the loss of cholinergic
neurons in forebrain
Experiment 1 - Use the local administration of inhibitors of Ach synthesis to
selectively reduce the availability of ACh in specific brain
regions; then examine impairments in performance in the Morris
water maze.
MethodsMethods Why your method is best Provide details - methodology
- controls
- instruments to be used
- information to be collected: value & limitations
- precision of data
- procedures for data analysis
- interpretation
Potential problems & how you will overcome them Alternative method, if yours fails
MethodsMethods
List sources of unique materials - reagents
- materials
- populations
Consider input from statistician - experimental design
- analysis procedures
Presentation of Presentation of an individual experimentan individual experiment
Expt 1: Studies of .. title parallel to
specific aim
Presentation of Presentation of an individual experimentan individual experiment
Expt1: Studies of ..
hypoth.: A will
correlate with B
hypothesis What you will
test (not prove)
Presentation of Presentation of an individual experimentan individual experiment
Expt 1: Studies of..
hypoth.: A will
correlate with B
1. Rationale
rational why you propose to do this experiment
Presentation of Presentation of an individual experimentan individual experiment
Expt 1: Studies of..
hypoth.: A will
correlate with B
1. Rationale
2. Experimental
design
design what you will do
assay method
- availability
- sensitivity
- specificity
# of replicates data analysis
Presentation of Presentation of an individual experimentan individual experiment
Expt 1: Studies of..
hypoth.: A will
correlate with B
1.Rationale
2.Experimental
design
3. comments
comments expectations problems?
- measurement
- interpretation
contingencies
TimelineTimeline
Approximate Timeline (in years)Experiment 1 2 3 4 5
Impact of GDNF on
cell death
Signaling underlying
effects of GDNF
Molecular basis of neuroprotection
Biographical sketchesBiographical sketches
Include for critical personnel Highlight relevant accomplishments Ensure accuracy - training, experience
- publications
- grant support
BudgetBudget
Reasonable for the project
- funding agency
- your level of experience Full budget
- itemize, justify each cost “modular” budget
- request in $25,000 increments
- limited justification
JustificationJustification
Personnel - % effort on project
- responsibilities
Ben Aster, Ph.D., 20% effort. Dr. aster is responsible for program evaluation. He develops evaluation instruments, interviews subjects, administers surveys, codes and analyzes the data, initiates follow-up inquires, and writes evaluation reports.
Special concernsSpecial concerns
Salary Travel Equipment - purchase
- service maintenance
New costs in subsequent years Inflationary increases
Construction of budgetConstruction of budget
Fringe benefits
- this example=20%
Direct costs (DC)
Salaries 50,000
Fringe benefits(20%) 10,000
Supplies 25,000
Equipment 15,000
Direct Costs 100,000
Construction of budgetConstruction of budget fringe benefits - this example=20%
Direct Costs (DC) Facilities & Administrative
Costs (F&A)*
- example=50%
- not on equipment
Salaries 50,000
Fringe benefits(20%) 10,000
Supplies 25,000
Equipment 15,000
Direct Costs 100,000
Facilities & Admin* 42,500
Total Award $142,500
*Also referred to as “indirect costs” (IDC)
Resources and environmentResources and environment
Document resources available - equipment
- space
- facilities
- support staff
Human subjectsHuman subjects
Characteristics of subjects, population Recruiting methods Criteria for selection Consent procedures Potential risks How risks will be minimized Benefits to subjects and community Inclusion of women and minorities
Vertebrate animalsVertebrate animals
Detail proposed use Justify species and number Veterinary care Minimizing stress, discomfort Justification for method of euthanasia
LettersLetters
Agreement, collaboration Recommendation Letters of agreement - obtain from collaborators, consultants - to document • type, level of involvement
• access to unique materials - improve by providing sample
Letters of recommendation - may be required - could be optional - could be inconspicuous
AppendixAppendix
Some example of materials - color or enlarged figures
- reprints of your work
- updated information
• results
• other accomplishments
Find out if,when,where Never use to circumvent page limits!!
Advice to new investigatorsAdvice to new investigators
Get funded as soon as possible - funding track record helps get more $
- proposals often not funded first time