GMS 6096: Introduction to NIH Grant Writing for Biomedical

Sciences

Research Strategy Thomas A. Pearson MD, MPH, PhD

Executive Vice President for Research and Education Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine

Learning Objectives

1. Plan for a career which includes participation in biomedical science.

2. Match the source and type of grant funding with career needs.

3. Introduce the concept of grantsmanship. 4. Review the steps leading up to submission of an

application for funding.

Larson, G. The Complete Far Side. 2003.

Consideration of Careers in Science

Research and research training in academia * Industrial biotechnology (e.g. Big Pharma) * Tech transfer and entrepreneurship (e.g. start-up) * Clinical research navigation and community engagement * Regulatory Science and government * Research education and outreach *Career Interest Teams, UF CTSI

Biomedical Science Career Planning at UF CTSI

Career and Professional Development

Mentor Development

Educational Development

Mentor Selection

• Mentor Development Program • Primary mentor’s experience

– Background and training – Experience and funding in area of mentee interest – Track record and current involvement in research training

• Mentorial committee (3-4 co-mentors encourage multidisciplinary research) – Describe role of each co-mentor – May have co-mentors from outside institutions, as needed – Describe function of the mentorial committee

• Mentoring plan should be detailed

Individual Development Plan

● Developed with advisor/mentor/supervisor ● Sections - Didactic coursework, ? Degree program • Responsible conduct of research training and certification - Career development activities • Seminars/Journal Club • Teaching experience • Summer Institutes, outside courses • Annual scientific meetings • Publications, grant applications - Mentored research experience - Timeline for career development

Types of

Research Funding

Purpose Source

Requirements

Research Funding by Purpose of Support

Research Projects Research grants Research-related contracts Cooperative agreements Training awards Research supplement awards for underrepresented minorities Research facilities construction and repair, renovation and modification grants

Source of Research Grant and Training Support

University and Medical School Foundations Voluntary Health Agencies Industry Government State Federal Outside Public Health Service Public Health Service Outside NIH NIH

Advantages of Diversification of Funding Sources

• Different sources may allow different uses for funds

• Idiosyncrasies of funding source’s interest in your field

• Some sources of funds are tied to economy, political trends, etc.

• Large, single source funding puts team at risk of intermittent layoffs, shutdowns

Obtaining NIH funding: Getting started…….

• Identify the most likely Institutes for funding based on your specialty/scientific interests

- See who funds your mentor’s research - See what Institutes are issuing PAs in your area - See what Institute staff attend the same meetings you do

Next steps …

• Become familiar with the websites of those Institutes who might fund you AND

• Sign up for the NIH Guide ListServe

http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/listserv.htm

once a week Table of Contents with ‘links’ to PAs, Notices,

and RFAs

NIH Definition of Early Stage Investigator

• Someone who is within 10 years of completing his/her terminal research degree or medical residency

– Research degrees after initial doctorate qualify if such degree establishes the beginning of a period of research or research training or the new degree substantially expands an individual’s skills within a field related to NIH mission.

– Medical residency refers to post graduate medical training that includes internship and residency but does not include clinical fellowships associated with training in a medical specialty or subspecialty.

Identifying Yourself as a New/Early Stage Investigator

• Automatic determination after eCommons includes completion of terminal research degree or medical residency sections

• Emphasize independence in RO1 applications in the Personal Statement on Biosketch

• Identify space and % effort for research in facilities and institutional support sections

Timeline from Postdoc to Assistant Professor

Postdoc PhD or

EOT for MDs

K22 or

K99 Assistant Professor

5 Yrs 0 Yrs ~11 Yrs

Apply For K22

or K99

Re-apply If needed

R01

Promotion

Tenure

Senior Fellowships (F33)

Career Transition

Award (K22)

Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01)

Independent Scientist Award (K02)

Postdoctoral Graduate School & Medical School

College

Postdoctoral Fellowships (F32)

Predoctoral Fellowships (F31)

Awards for Individuals with a Research Doctorate (e.g., PhD) Institutional

Training Grants (T32)

Independent Investigator

MARC COR (T34)

Career Enhancement Award Stem Cells (K18)

BRTPUG Program Undergrads, post-bac, & graduates R25 Undergrads

Diversity Supplement

Senior Fellowships (F33)

Independent Investigator

Internship/Residency Specialty Medical School

Postdoctoral Fellowships (F32)

Awards for Individuals with a Health-Professional Doctorate (e.g., MD)

Institutional Training Grants (T32)

Midcareer Investigator in Patient-Oriented

Research (K24)

Mentored Patient-Oriented Research CDA (K23)

Scientist Development Program (K12)

Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08)

Short-Term Training Grant (R25)

Career Enhancement Award Stem Cells (K18)

Diversity Supplement

Spectrum of Research Training & Career Development Opportunities at NHLBI

High School & College

Medical School & Graduate

School

Post-doctoral Fellowships

Transition to Established Independent Investigator

Established Investigator

BRTPUG Program Undergraduate & post-baccalaureate R25 Undergraduates Minority, Disabled, Disadvantaged

BRTPUG Program Under grad/Graduate Students T32 Institutional & Minority Institution F31 Individual award Minority, Disabled, Disadvantaged T35 Institutional Health Prof. students R25 Health Prof. students Minority, Disabled, Disadvantaged

F32 Individual award T32 Institutional & Diverse Institution K25 Engineering and/or Quantitative Science students

K01 Diverse faculty & Minority Institution K02 Salary-only K08 Clinician scientist K23 Clinician Patient- oriented research K25 Engineering and/or Quantitative Science students K99/R00 Individual award

F33 Individual award K18 Stem cell research K24 Mid-career patient-oriented K25 Engineering and/or Quantitative Science Students

Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health Related Research

Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health Related Research

Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health Related Research

Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health Related Research

Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health Related Research

Larson, G. The Complete Far Side. 2003.

Initial Steps in Applying for an NIH Grant

• Use the NIH web pages – including those specific to the Institute most relevant to your topic

• Contact program staff to obtain info on – Mechanisms supported by that Institute – Institute-specific policies & procedures – Other relevant program information

• Send a prospectus • Discuss with colleagues • Consider a consultant

Institutional Resources Available to Assist in Grant Applications on CTSI Website

• Mentor identification: VIVO Database • Resources by College, Department, Institute • Responsible Conduct of Research • Recruitment of Persons from Underrepresented

Groups • Educational Design and Evaluation • Tracking of Past and Current Trainees • Institutional Commitment Model Letters • Current and past trainees enrolled in UF HSC programs

Reasons To Do a Pilot Study

• Demonstrate ability to recruit/access/retain study population

• Establish ability to perform assay reproducibility, validity, precision, accuracy, etc.)

• Estimate prevalence/incidence of endpoints • Quantify variability and magnitude of change in

endpoint for purpose of sample size calculation

Successful grant writing is a mixture of:

Good Science Good Communication Good Marketing

Grantsmanship: The Idea Marketplace

Is the idea important? Your Good Can you do the work? Funds Idea Is your plan feasible and well thought out?

Traits of a Successful Grant Getter

• Research skills • Salesmanship skills • Communication skills • Ingenuity and flexibility • Administrative skills • Human relations

• Persistence, dedication, patience

• Ability to work hard • Political awareness and

action • Integrity

Larson, G. The Complete Far Side. 2003.

Research Strategies: A Summary

1. Develop (with help) your own Individual Development Plan and stick to it.

2. Maximize your chance of funding by matching your stage of career with the type of grant for which you would be competitive.

3. Start the preparation of your application so you can take advantage of your mentors, colleagues, and institutional resources.

4. Cultivate your grantsmanship skills – write applications, serve on review groups, etc.

Larson, G. The Complete Far Side. 2003.