Thoughts on grant writing

David FullerDept. of Physical TherapyMcKnight Brain Institute

University of Floridaddf@phhp.ufl.edu

GMS 6096: Introduction to NIH Grant writing for biomedical sciences. Jan 28, 2015

How do grants get funded?

My view: 3 key considerations that apply to RO1, R21 and RO3.

How do grants get funded?

Good idea

How do grants get funded?

Good ideaVERY clearly presented

How do grants get funded?

Good ideaVERY clearly presented

Luck / Good planning

The following slides will provide an overview of what *I think are some of

the most important aspects of a successful grant application

*, others will probably have different opinions

Reviewers are trying their best.(reviewing is a difficult job)

Assume nothing except that the reader will be intelligent

Read as many successful grants as you can.

What is great art?

The Scream Edvard Munch

Wheat Field with Cypresses Van Gogh

Girl with a Pearl Earring Johannes Vermeer

Templates usually don’t work

The Scream Edvard Munch

Wheat Field with Cypresses Van Gogh

Girl with a Pearl Earring Johannes Vermeer

Use all available resources

Collaborators:Equipment:Intellectual environment:

A unifying central hypothesis

A good idea when possible. It usually makes the grant easier to read.

The Aims page should read like a (good) novel

Tell a story. Help the reader. Write the review for the reviewer.

Choose your study section carefully

Use the cover letter.

Do NOT suggest specific names of reviewers.

Preliminary data

New vs. Senior Investigator

New vs. established method

Central vs. peripheral hypothesis

Often new investigators have more preliminary data than they think…

Never, ever, ever “just submit and see what happens”

Do not wait until the last minute for:

Abstract

RebuttalVertebrate animalsPersonal statementsEtc.

*Acronyms are almost always a terrible idea

*unless it is “DNA” or something at that level of public awareness

Figures & tables need to be very easy to read

Revise, Tweak, Proofread ….alot

100+ hours

Resubmissions

Should I resubmit?

Address all concerns

The rebuttal is perhaps the most important part of the resubmission

Be prepared to admit that aspects of your initial idea (or maybe the entire

idea) is/are bad

Be prepared to admit that your initial draft needs to be “blown up”

Resubmissions

R21 vs. RO3

R21

R21

R21

Consider carefully if the submission should be an RO1

R21: my experience

2 funded R21 grantsPilot data

RO3

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r03.htm

RO3

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r03.htm

RO3: my experience

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r03.htm

Thank You