Transitioning to Independence: Tips for Writing NIH Career (K) Award Applications
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Transcript of Transitioning to Independence: Tips for Writing NIH Career (K) Award Applications
Transitioning to independence: Tips For Writing NIH Career (K) award applications
Brenda Fredericksen, PhDScientific Review Officer
NIAID, [email protected]
240-669-5052
1. Various award mechanisms available to junior investigators
2. The review process
3. Review criteria for R series and K series award applications• Common problems• New review criteria regarding rigor and transparency
Preparing an Application: Overview
• Submit via your organizational representative
• Use eRA Commons to track application
Identify a FOA that fits your career stage and research
your research interests
• Read the FOA
• Follow Application Instructions
Prepare ApplicationSubmit, Track & View
Application
Develop research topic
• Needs to align with an IC mission.
• Should be of high impact.
Find Opportunities
•Talk to your mentor and other NIH funded researchers.•Talk with NIH staff about your idea and where it fits.•Use NIH’s Research Portfolio Online Report Tool (RePORT). http://RePORT.nih.gov/
Developing research ideas
• Organizational funding information• NIH staff contacts• Success rates• Award trends• Which ICs fund research like yours• Projects similar to yours• NIH-funded workforce data• Potential collaborators• NIH grantees in your area
Career Stages of Funding Programs
Type of FOA Description
Program Announcements (PA) examples: PAR, PAS
• Identifies areas of increased priority and/or emphasis on particular funding mechanisms for a specific area of science.
• Usually ongoing (3 yrs)• Often use standard receipt dates
Parent Announcements • Type of program announcement• Generally span the breadth of NIH mission• By activity code (R01, R03, K awards, etc.)• For “investigator initiated” or “unsolicited” research
ideas• Eligibility criteria explained in the FOA
Requests for Applications (RFA)
• Narrowly defined scope• Usually single receipt date • Set aside funds• IC usually convenes review panel
Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) Are Used to Fund Extramural Research
Where to find FOAs
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• Grants.gov (Home | GRANTS.GOV)• NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts website:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/funding_program.htm
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/researchfunding/newsletter/pages/subscribe.aspx
Decide which K mechanism is best for you: NIAID Career Development Awards (K) or NIH K Kiosk.
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Ph.D./M.D.
Research training Phase
K25
K01-Research Scientist Development Award: Research or health-professional doctoral degree. Development plans must be in epidemiology, modeling techniques, and outcomes research.
NIAID Career Awards-Support by Career Stage
K25
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NIAID Career Awards-Support by Career Stage
PH.D./M.D.
Research training Phase
K25
K08-Mentored Clinical Scientist Research: Clinical doctoral degree (M.D., D.V.M.,O.D, PharmD), professional license to practice in the United States, and current work in biomedical or behavioral research.
K23-Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award: Clinical doctorate, completed specialty or subspecialty training and the research requires direct interaction with patients.
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K25 Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award: Candidate must have an advanced degree in engineering or quantitative science, such as Ph.D. or M.S.E.E.
Ph.D./M.D.
Research training Phase
K25K25
NIAID Career Awards-Support by Career Stage
K22-NIAID Career Transition Award: Postdoctoral scientist with no more than five years with plans to apply for an assistant professorship at an academic institution. (non-mentored).
K99/R00-NIH Pathway to Independence Award: Clinical or research doctorate and no more than four years of postdoctoral research. (NIAID supports 2+2)
K99/R00 Pathway to IndependencePA-16-193: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-16-193.html
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Eligibility• No more than 4 years of total aggregate postdoctoral experience at
the time of submission. • Physician-scientists: Time spent in clinical training during
residency or clinical specialty is not counted towards K99/R00 eligibility
• No prior or current Career Development (K) awards or NIH research grant (R01, R03 or R21).
• No current or previous position as an independent research faculty. Clinical faculty member who does not hold an independent research faculty position is eligible for the K99/R00 award
• Non-citizens with appropriate visa may apply
•NIAID limits the budget to 4 years of support: Mentored phase (2 years) + Independent phase (2 years).
K22 Career Transition AwardPAR-14-341: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-14-341.html
• Not a mentored award.• Postdoctoral fellow to PI transition.• Goal: obtain & begin Asst. Prof position• Eligibility
• No more than 5 years of related postdoctoral experience. • No prior or current Career Development (K) awards, R01 or
equivalent funding.• No current or prior position as an independent research
faculty.
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Shawn Gaillard, Ph.D.Research Training Officer
Office of Research Training and Special ProgramsNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH
5601 Fishers Lane, Rm 4F-30Rockville, MD 20892-9823
Email: [email protected]
Office of Research Training and Special Programs
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/researchfunding/traincareer/pages/career.aspx
Review Process for a Research Grant
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Performs the Research
Institution
Submits Application
Allocates Funds
Center for Scientific Review (CSR)
CSR
Evaluates for Scientific Merit (1st
level)
Advisory Councils & Board
Recommends Action (2nd level)
Institute DirectorMakes Funding
Decision
Grants.gov
eRA Commons
Division of Receipt and Referral Assigns for review
Institute (IC)
Principal Investigator
(PI)
3 Overlapping Funding Cycles Per YearFunding
CycleReceiptDates
ReviewMeetings
AdvisoryCouncil
PotentialStart Date
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec1
Jan Feb Mar AprMay June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec2
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July AugSept Oct Nov Dec3Stan
dard
revi
ew c
ycle
Except for K99/R00: Receipt Dates and Review schedule apply. Funding decisions are made once a year at May/June council.
AIDS
/HIV
revi
ew c
ycle
FundingCycle
ReceiptDates
ReviewMeetings
AdvisoryCouncil
PotentialStart Date
May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov1
2
3
Jan Feb MarSept Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July
On-time Submission
• Important reminders:• NIH recommends submitting early (days, not minutes!) to allow
time for correcting any errors found during the application viewing window prior to the due date.
• NIH’s late policy does not allow corrections after the due date.• All registrations must be completed before the due date.
Error-free applications must be accepted by Grants.gov with a time stamp on or before 5:00 p.m. local time of the submitting organization on the due date
15NOT-OD-15-039: Simplifying the NIH Policy for Late Application Submission:http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-15-039.html
The NIH-specific Scoring System• Reviewers give numerical scores for:
Overall impact score Individual criterion scores
Overall impact Career development (K) awards: Likelihood for the candidate to maintain a strong research program.
Evaluation Criteria (Ks)5 Scored Review Criteria: (Considered in the Impact score) Candidate Career Development Plan/Plan to Provide Mentoring Research Plan Mentors, Co-Mentors, Consultants, Collaborators Environment and Institutional Commitment to the Candidate
Additional Review Criteria: (Considered in the Impact Score) Animal Welfare, Human Subjects Protections, Biohazards,
Resubmission (A1), and Renewal (K24)
Additional Review Considerations: (Does not affect impact score) Authentication of Key Resources, Training in the
Responsible Conduct of Research, Budget, Select Agents, Resource Sharing
Candidate’s Background• Research record/Productivity:
• Publications: Recently accepted manuscripts are acceptable post-submission material. - See more at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-13-030.html#sthash.RSibaCYn.dpuf(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/post_submission_faq.htm). Must be submitted with concurrence from the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) of the applicant organization.
• Awards• Fellowships
• Clear commitment to independent research career
• Letters of Reference
Reference Letters• Submitted directly by the referees.• Allow adequate time for the referees to put together
a well-tailored reference letter.• Minimum: 3 letters of reference; 5 maximum.• Individual directly involved in the research project
can not provide a letter of reference.
Referees• Must be received by the application submission
deadline.• Make sure to attach the correct letter.
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Career Development Plan and Career Goals and Objectives
•Be specific; individualize your plan.•Align career development goals with research plan.
•Understand your strengths and deficiencies.• Justify areas of training needed.•Provide a specific timeline and pathway for independence (R01 submission/goals).
• Involve your mentor. Plan for evaluation of progress (with mentors).
20
Research Plan• Strong significance to an important problem in public
health: IMPACT is high• High degree of novelty and innovation
• Clear goals and approaches• Feasibility• Innovation • Independent from Mentor’s research• Timeline• Pitfalls and alternative strategies• Long term scope and plans for an independent
R0121
Common Problems in Research Plans• Lack of new or original ideas• Absence of an acceptable scientific rationale• Lack of experience in the essential methodology• Questionable reasoning in experimental approach• Diffuse, superficial, or unfocused research plan• Over ambitious research plan• Lack of sufficient experimental detail• Lack of knowledge of published relevant work• Uncertainty concerning future directions• Grantsmanship
GET INPUT FROM NIH FUNDED INVESTIGATORS
Statements of Support
•Mentor(s):•Mentor’s research expertise.•Research support.•Mentor’s training record.•Clear plan for meeting with mentees, evaluation.
*K22 applications require a statement of support from the current mentor.
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Letters of Support
Collaborators:Include letters from collaborator(s) outlining their specific role in the project.
Institutional Environment/Commitment
• Institutional environment:•List relevant research resources/logistics.•Opportunities for collaboration and training.
• Institutional commitment (one page) •Commitment to candidate and his/her independent research career.
•Research support: space, equipment, technician, supplementary funds for research.
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K22 Specific IssuesCareer Development plan:
• Describes plan for transition to independent investigator.• Includes lab management, teaching, research skills, etc.
Research Strategy:• How to gain independence from postdoctoral advisor and
achieve separation of the research program.
Statement of support from current mentor• Required attachment that allows the current postdoctoral
advisor to provide information about their respective future role and support to the candidate during the early phase as an independent investigator.
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27
Review Questions Regarding Rigor and Transparency
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Research plan
• Is there a strong scientific premise for the project?
• Has the candidate presented strategies to ensure a robust and unbiased approach, as appropriate for the propose work?
• Has the candidate presented adequate plans to address relevant biological variable, such as sex, for studies in vertebrate animals or human subjects?
Examples of Scientific Premise•Fundamental scientific principles or related work
•Existing literature or prior work in the field
•Broad gaps in the field that the research will fill
•Research to be supported or facilitated
•Needs to be addressed
Examples of Scientific Rigor• Statistical procedures to determine appropriate group
sizes, numbers of animals, etc.• Plans for data analysis• Methods to reduce bias• Procedures to ensure independent, blinded
measurements• Procedures to improve precision and minimize
variability• Criteria for subject inclusion or exclusion• Addressing loss of experimental units or observations
• Have the investigators presented adequate plans to address relevant biological variables, such as sex, for studies in vertebrate animals or human subjects?
• The expectation is to study both sexes; strong scientific justification needed to use a single sex.
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Examples include:• Sex • Age• Source• Weight• Genetic strain
Relevant Biological VariablesApproach – Review Questions
Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources
•Reviewers should comment on the plans presented for authenticating key resources.
• In many cases, standards do not exist now.• Data is not expected in the resource authentication plan.
Examples:Cell linesSpecialty chemicalsAntibodiesBiologicsNot standard laboratory reagents
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-10-019.html& Award Process
Training RCR:
• Plan to develop scholarly understanding of ethical issues of individual’s research
• Must have Acceptable plan. Unacceptable means bar to funding
• 5 parts:• Format: face-to-face• Subject matter: comprehensive• Faculty participation: formal & informal• Duration: 8+ hours• Frequency: once every 4 years
General tips• Start early
• Involve your mentor(s).• Discuss your research idea with your Program Officer.• Have NIH-funded colleagues read the application.
• Read Program Announcements• Pay particular attention to eligibility requirements and
submission guidelines.
• Grantsmanship• Submit early
• check for errors and completeness, • contact eRA/Commons help desk right away if there are
problems with submission.34
After the Review
35
Check eRA Commons (next slide) (http://era.nih.gov/commons/index.cfm)
• Final Impact Score are available within 3 days after the review meeting
• Summary statement available within 4 – 8 weeks to:– PD/PI – NIH Officials – Advisory Council members – NIH Program Officer (Point of Contact)
Summary statement example
Summary Statement (I)
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• First page– NIH Program Officer (upper left corner)
– This is your point of contact to discuss the outcome of the review meeting
– Final Impact Score or other designation– Percentile (if applicable)– Codes (human subjects, vertebrate animals, inclusion) 44 = bar to funding 10 = no human subjects or vertebrate animals 30 = involves human subjects or vertebrate animals
but the SRG had no concerns – Budget request
•
Summary Statement (II)
38
• Subsequent Pages– Resumé and Summary of Discussion (Discussed
applications only)– Description (provided by applicant)– Reviewer critiques Administrative Notes– Meeting roster
Program Officials’ Role:Funding Decisions
•At and After Review Meeting•Note reviewer enthusiasms and concerns•Discuss Summary Statements with applicants•Advise on resubmission process
•At Advisory Council•Report and address any unresolved review concerns•Address requirements for foreign applications
39
After Peer Review
40
If the applications is funded, congratulations! May need to resolve 44 codes May need to submit Just-in-time information
Not Funded. Now What?
Regroup• Take a deep breath• Read summary statement• Read it again• Talk with your NIH program official• Evaluate your options
• Revise & submit again?• Choose a new research direction?• Appeal the review outcome
• Acceptable reasons (NOT-OD-11-064):http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-064.html
• Differences of scientific opinion cannot be appealed
There is no amount of Grantsmanship that will turn a bad idea into a good one . . . .
. . . but there are many ways to disguise a good idea.
Dr. William RaubPast Deputy Director, NIH
Grantsmanship
NIH Policy on Post-Submission Application Materials:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-13-030.html
Use NIH’s Research Portfolio Online Report Tool (RePORT). http://RePORT.nih.gov/
NIAID Training and Careerhttps://www.niaid.nih.gov/researchfunding/traincareer/Pages/default.aspx
March 9, 2016 NIAID Funding NewsPostdocs' Guide to Gaining Independence: Writing a Strong Grant Application
Grants.Gov>About Grants> How to Apply-Application Guide: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm
Helpful links
Contact informationBrenda Fredericksen