Grant Funding: How to obtain it and why you should care

Grant fundingGrant fundingHow to obtain it, and why you should careHow to obtain it, and why you should care

July 27July 27thth, 2011, 2011

Eric Balzer - Danielle Gilkes - Yanique RattiganEric Balzer - Danielle Gilkes - Yanique Rattigan

Why obtain your own Why obtain your own funding?funding?

Students entering into a graduate Students entering into a graduate program are financially supported.program are financially supported. Program supportProgram support (first two years) (first two years) Mentor supportMentor support (remaining time until (remaining time until

graduation)graduation) What does this support cover?What does this support cover?

Tuition costs, registration fees, health Tuition costs, registration fees, health insurance, and stipendinsurance, and stipend Annual stipend range: 18-24K (Depending on Annual stipend range: 18-24K (Depending on

geographical location and institutional policygeographical location and institutional policy

Why obtain your own Why obtain your own funding?funding? If supported already, what are the incentives? If supported already, what are the incentives?

Makes you look good by demonstrating your ability to Makes you look good by demonstrating your ability to finance your research ideas finance your research ideas

Good practice for the ‘real world’Good practice for the ‘real world’ Can help organize your research goalsCan help organize your research goals Impressive addition to your CVImpressive addition to your CV Financial benefitsFinancial benefits

higher stipend higher stipend (if allowed by the university)(if allowed by the university) Travel support Travel support (for meetings, job interviews, etc.)(for meetings, job interviews, etc.) Material support Material support (lab supplies, computer)(lab supplies, computer)

Getting started: a basic Getting started: a basic outlineoutline

1.1. Develop your research planDevelop your research plan

2.2. Identify funding agenciesIdentify funding agencies

3.3. Consider all of the components of a Consider all of the components of a complete applicationcomplete application

4.4. Plan your timeline and arrange for Plan your timeline and arrange for letters of referenceletters of reference

5.5. Compose and submit the applicationCompose and submit the application

1. Developing the research 1. Developing the research planplan

The research question (the most important The research question (the most important aspect of the grant proposal) aspect of the grant proposal) You will have to sell your idea to the reviewers You will have to sell your idea to the reviewers

why should they care?why should they care? Remember:Remember:

A good idea isn’t enoughA good idea isn’t enough You will be competing with lots of other smart people. You will be competing with lots of other smart people.

Better to assume that everyone will be proposing a good Better to assume that everyone will be proposing a good idea.idea.

A great idea is closer, but still not enough:A great idea is closer, but still not enough: Funding resources are limited to only the best ideas.Funding resources are limited to only the best ideas.

An outstanding idea is enough, but…An outstanding idea is enough, but… A poorly written application will not be funded, no matter A poorly written application will not be funded, no matter

how excellent your research idea is.how excellent your research idea is.

1. Developing the research 1. Developing the research planplan

Key criteria used by reviewers during evaluation:Key criteria used by reviewers during evaluation: What is novel about the proposed research?What is novel about the proposed research?

Has anyone published on this topic? Has anyone published on this topic? Is the proposed research significant?Is the proposed research significant?

How will your research advance the field? (e.g. potential How will your research advance the field? (e.g. potential disease therapies/markers)disease therapies/markers)

Is the proposed research feasibleIs the proposed research feasible Is it within your means?Is it within your means? Do you have the equipment to accomplish your goal?Do you have the equipment to accomplish your goal? Do you and your mentor have the appropriate expertise?Do you and your mentor have the appropriate expertise?

Don’t propose to experiment in space if you don’t Don’t propose to experiment in space if you don’t have a rocket to get you therehave a rocket to get you there

Evaluate competitiveness of Evaluate competitiveness of proposed researchproposed research

Is the proposed study in-line with the interests of the Is the proposed study in-line with the interests of the targeted funding agency?targeted funding agency? Do not submit a lung cancer grant to a foundation which Do not submit a lung cancer grant to a foundation which

exclusively funds breast cancer researchexclusively funds breast cancer research Competitiveness of the applicant and mentorCompetitiveness of the applicant and mentor

Publication history and funding recordPublication history and funding record Area of expertise should be (and sometimes Area of expertise should be (and sometimes must bemust be) directly ) directly

relevant to proposed area of researchrelevant to proposed area of research Feasibility and scopeFeasibility and scope

Applications that propose to do too much are rarely fundedApplications that propose to do too much are rarely funded Proposed research must be perceived as realistic, given your Proposed research must be perceived as realistic, given your

experience and available resourcesexperience and available resources Environmental support (mentor, collaborators, student resources)Environmental support (mentor, collaborators, student resources) Material resources (lab equipment and supplies, core facilities)Material resources (lab equipment and supplies, core facilities)

Getting startedGetting started






2. Identify funding agencies2. Identify funding agencies

Start simple:Start simple: Talk to others who have submitted Talk to others who have submitted grant applications:grant applications: Your advisor Your advisor Your professors Your professors PeersPeers Graduate program administratorsGraduate program administrators

See the INBT website for a list of funding opportunities: http://inbt.jhu.edu/research/funding-opportunities/

Funding AgenciesFunding Agencies(just to name a few…)(just to name a few…)

FederalFederal

• NIH/NCINIH/NCI• DODDOD• NSFNSF• NASANASA

PrivatePrivate

1.1. Damon Runyon FoundationDamon Runyon Foundation

2.2. American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer Society

3.3. Burroughs Wellcome fundBurroughs Wellcome fund

4.4. American Heart AssociationAmerican Heart Association

2. Identifying Funding 2. Identifying Funding agenciesagencies Grants.gov Grants.gov is a consolidated archive of federal grant is a consolidated archive of federal grant

mechanismsmechanisms http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsphttp://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp

Identify Funding Identify Funding AgenciesAgencies The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is

part of the Department of Health and part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)Human Services (DHHS) provides grant mechanisms for all levels of provides grant mechanisms for all levels of

academic study (undergrad through faculty academic study (undergrad through faculty and center grants)and center grants)

Is made up of 28 separate institutionsIs made up of 28 separate institutions National Cancer Institute (NCI)National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) National Institute on Aging (NIA)National Institute on Aging (NIA) and 25 others…and 25 others…

Choosing a funding agencyChoosing a funding agency Consider the stated goals of the agency…Consider the stated goals of the agency…

NIH mission statementNIH mission statementFoster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and Foster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and

their applications as a basis to advance significantly the Nation’s capacity their applications as a basis to advance significantly the Nation’s capacity to protect and improve health…to protect and improve health…

Review the available award mechanismsReview the available award mechanisms Pre-doctoral (NRSA F31)Pre-doctoral (NRSA F31) Post-doctoral (NRSA F32, K99/R00)Post-doctoral (NRSA F32, K99/R00) Faculty (RO1, R21)Faculty (RO1, R21) Institutional (U54, T32)Institutional (U54, T32)

Information for each award is included in the program Information for each award is included in the program announcement (PA)announcement (PA) Available online at all times atAvailable online at all times at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htmhttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm

NIH award mechanismsNIH award mechanisms All NIH grants are handled through the office of All NIH grants are handled through the office of

extramural research (OER)extramural research (OER) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/ 210 available award mechanisms210 available award mechanisms

Additional ConsiderationsAdditional Considerations

Boldness (aka riskiness) of an idea can heavily Boldness (aka riskiness) of an idea can heavily influence its potential to be fundedinfluence its potential to be funded Some mechanisms are geared toward high-risk projects (do Some mechanisms are geared toward high-risk projects (do

not require preliminary data)not require preliminary data) Read program announcement or contact the program officer to Read program announcement or contact the program officer to

determine suitability of your research for a given award determine suitability of your research for a given award mechanismmechanism

EligibilityEligibility Most grants have specific eligibility requirements…Most grants have specific eligibility requirements…

Years of experience (minimum vs maximum)Years of experience (minimum vs maximum) E.g. many predoc grants require at least 2 years of experience, while E.g. many predoc grants require at least 2 years of experience, while

most postdoc grants don’t allow more than 5. most postdoc grants don’t allow more than 5. Appropriate degreeAppropriate degree Citizenship and Minority status for specialty grant programs Citizenship and Minority status for specialty grant programs







Central componentsCentral components

TitleTitle Captures the essence of goals and objectivesCaptures the essence of goals and objectives

Abstract Abstract Scientific/TechnicalScientific/Technical

Concise presentation of the central hypothesisConcise presentation of the central hypothesis Statement of significanceStatement of significance Summary of methodsSummary of methods Statement of potential impactStatement of potential impact

PublicPublic All of the above, but written in lay-terms (for non-expert reviewers, All of the above, but written in lay-terms (for non-expert reviewers,

such as patient representatives)such as patient representatives)

Research Plan (aka Project Narrative)Research Plan (aka Project Narrative) ReferencesReferences

Project NarrativeProject Narrative

Further broken into subsections (contained in Further broken into subsections (contained in one document)one document) Specific aims sectionSpecific aims section Background & significanceBackground & significance Preliminary studiesPreliminary studies Research design & methodsResearch design & methods Statement of impact / significanceStatement of impact / significance Facilities Facilities

Will address each of these in following slidesWill address each of these in following slides

Specific Aims SectionSpecific Aims Section Most important component of your applicationMost important component of your application Template for the entire proposalTemplate for the entire proposal Should be a concise outline of your applicationShould be a concise outline of your application

Provides background to educate the reviewerProvides background to educate the reviewer Identifies gaps in current understandingIdentifies gaps in current understanding Identifies the problem(s) caused by this gapIdentifies the problem(s) caused by this gap Explains how your proposed research will address this Explains how your proposed research will address this

problemproblem

Specific Aims SectionSpecific Aims Section

First paragraph:First paragraph: Opening sentence should establish the relevance of Opening sentence should establish the relevance of

your proposal to the goals of the funding agency.your proposal to the goals of the funding agency. Educate reviewers on Educate reviewers on what is knownwhat is known and and what is what is

unknownunknown in the field. in the field. Use key literature references to build your foundationUse key literature references to build your foundation

Explain the need to Explain the need to address the unknowns, address the unknowns, and how and how this will advance the field.this will advance the field.


Second Paragraph:Second Paragraph: Proposes a solution to the problems outlined Proposes a solution to the problems outlined

in the first paragraph. in the first paragraph. Speculates on the reportable outcomes to Speculates on the reportable outcomes to

arise from a solution to this problemarise from a solution to this problem Vaccines, therapies, reduced cost, improved material Vaccines, therapies, reduced cost, improved material

properties, etc…properties, etc…

Collectively, these provide the objective and Collectively, these provide the objective and rationale for the proposed workrationale for the proposed work


Third paragraph:Third paragraph: Define central hypothesisDefine central hypothesis Provide support for the hypothesisProvide support for the hypothesis Introduce specific aimsIntroduce specific aims

Bold, bulleted statements that describe how you will test Bold, bulleted statements that describe how you will test your central hypothesisyour central hypothesis

2-3 specific aims is standard for most applications (2 for 2-3 specific aims is standard for most applications (2 for short applications; 3 for lengthier ones like RO1)short applications; 3 for lengthier ones like RO1)

Include sub-aims Include sub-aims (2-3 per specific aim)(2-3 per specific aim)

Example: Specific AimsExample: Specific Aims[paragraph 1][paragraph 1]

[paragraph 2][paragraph 2]

[paragraph 3] [paragraph 3] begins with…begins with…

We propose to test the central hypothesis that apples are not oranges. We propose to test the central hypothesis that apples are not oranges. This hypothesis is based primarily on the following evidence This hypothesis is based primarily on the following evidence [provide itemized [provide itemized list of examples in paragraph form]list of examples in paragraph form]. Predictions of this hypothesis will be . Predictions of this hypothesis will be tested via the following tested via the following independentindependent specific aims: specific aims: Aim1: Aim1: Determine whether both apples and oranges are citrus fruitsDetermine whether both apples and oranges are citrus fruits

Aim 1a) taste and smell both fruits Aim 1a) taste and smell both fruits Aim 1b) chemically analyze samples of each fruit for acid contentAim 1b) chemically analyze samples of each fruit for acid content

Aim 2:Aim 2: Determine whether apples and oranges share a common origin Determine whether apples and oranges share a common origin Aim 2a) clarify the tree on which each fruit grows Aim 2a) clarify the tree on which each fruit grows Aim 2b) sequence and compare the DNA of apples and orangesAim 2b) sequence and compare the DNA of apples and oranges

introduce the problem to be addressed andintroduce the problem to be addressed andthe potential benefits of doing sothe potential benefits of doing so

Background SectionBackground Section Provides an in-depth summary of Provides an in-depth summary of

relevant information within the fieldrelevant information within the field Critically analyzes existing literature and provides Critically analyzes existing literature and provides

key foundational referenceskey foundational references Documents a solid theoretical basis for the studyDocuments a solid theoretical basis for the study Outlines why the proposed research is important by Outlines why the proposed research is important by

identifying the gaps in current understanding and identifying the gaps in current understanding and emphasizing the problems that result from these emphasizing the problems that result from these gaps.gaps.

States how your proposed research will address or States how your proposed research will address or resolve the problem in question. resolve the problem in question.

Additional SectionsAdditional Sections Preliminary Data Preliminary Data

may or may not be required, depend on the agency requirements, may or may not be required, depend on the agency requirements, and specific terms of the awardand specific terms of the award

Research Design & MethodsResearch Design & Methods Discuss the methodology and necessary materials that will be Discuss the methodology and necessary materials that will be

used to test hypotheses within each specific aimused to test hypotheses within each specific aim Make sure to include statistics where appropriateMake sure to include statistics where appropriate Describe the expected result of each experimentDescribe the expected result of each experiment Acknowledge potential weaknesses in your design and Acknowledge potential weaknesses in your design and provide provide

alternative strategies alternative strategies (no experiment is perfect)(no experiment is perfect)

Statement of RelevanceStatement of Relevance If the aims are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be If the aims are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be

advanced?advanced? What will be the effect on the field?What will be the effect on the field? Define some reportable outcomesDefine some reportable outcomes

Additional ComponentsAdditional Components Application FormsApplication Forms

Institutional InformationInstitutional Information

Eligibility StatementEligibility Statement Generally signed by a Dean or your MentorGenerally signed by a Dean or your Mentor

LettersLetters Reference / collaboration / support (departmental, institutional, etc)Reference / collaboration / support (departmental, institutional, etc)

Personal BackgroundPersonal Background Curriculum Vitae or BiosketchCurriculum Vitae or Biosketch Statement of Current / Pending SupportStatement of Current / Pending Support Statement of Career GoalsStatement of Career Goals TranscriptsTranscripts

Proposed BudgetProposed Budget Supplies, equipment, and travelSupplies, equipment, and travel

Statement of WorkStatement of Work Timeline for the Proposal (Experiment by Experiment)Timeline for the Proposal (Experiment by Experiment)

Common mistakesCommon mistakesFailure to …Failure to … Effectively document why the problem is importantEffectively document why the problem is important Distinguish empirical preliminary findings from speculationDistinguish empirical preliminary findings from speculation Establish a strong case for novelty of the research Establish a strong case for novelty of the research viavia

insufficient analysis of the literatureinsufficient analysis of the literature Consider and integrate alternative perspectives and Consider and integrate alternative perspectives and

approachesapproaches• Leave enough time to: Leave enough time to:

Write and edit the proposalWrite and edit the proposal Assemble necessary documentsAssemble necessary documents Obtain reference letters (notify referees 1 month in Obtain reference letters (notify referees 1 month in

advance, at a minimum)advance, at a minimum)













General Tips for WritingGeneral Tips for Writing

Science writing is not like English compositionScience writing is not like English composition More is not betterMore is not better

Avoid wordiness and complex statementsAvoid wordiness and complex statements Short and sweetShort and sweet

Be succinct, clear, and to-the-pointBe succinct, clear, and to-the-point State the factsState the facts

limit speculation and conjecture to sections where it is appropriate limit speculation and conjecture to sections where it is appropriate (e.g. in establishing hypothesis or interpreting results)(e.g. in establishing hypothesis or interpreting results)

Save, save, saveSave, save, save Do not overwrite drafts…save documents as versionsDo not overwrite drafts…save documents as versions

Be open to criticismBe open to criticism Ask someone without a vested interest to read through your Ask someone without a vested interest to read through your

proposal and give you as much feedback as they are willing.proposal and give you as much feedback as they are willing. Get used to having your writing torn apart during the editing Get used to having your writing torn apart during the editing

process (it’s a good thing)process (it’s a good thing)

Questions?Questions?

Thanks for your attentionThanks for your attention

Prepared and presented by the Johns Hopkins Prepared and presented by the Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology postdocs…Institute for NanoBioTechnology postdocs…

Eric Balzer, Yanique Rattigan and Daniele Gilkes

Date post:	12-Nov-2014
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Grant Funding: How to obtain it and why you should care

Health & Medicine