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.
