Grant WritingTERI WURMSER, PHD, MPH, RN, NEA-BC
Today’s Objectives
Identify Sources of Grant Funding
Discuss Basic Grant Terminology
Compare Programmatic and Research Grants
Describe Grant Writing Elements
Discuss the Grant Review Process
What can grants do for
you?
Develop and advance knowledge in a field
Support training and research activities
Provide support for ongoing projects
Expand opportunities for student/clinician education
Institutional prestige
Promote individual advancement Successful Grant Writing, Gitlan and Lyons p. xiv
Grants
Grantee is providing a specific service for the Granting organization in exchange for a sum of money
Have terms and conditions
Grants can provide funding for: Research
Development/Education
Service projects
Quality Improvement
Acquisition of Equipment or other resources
Who offers Grant
funding?
Foundations
Institutional or Hospital Based Grants
Professional Associations
Corporate or Small Business Entities
Federal, state, and local government
Sources of Health funding
Local, State and National Organizations American Heart Association American Lung Association American Geriatric Association
Local Businesses Banks: Provident, Bank of
America, PNC Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
CompaniesC. W. BardMerckJohnson and JohnsonTarget
Professional Organizations
Many professional nursing organizations offer grants: Sigma Theta Tau International: check local and
national https://www.sigmanursing.org/advance-
elevate/research/research-grants
American Nurses Foundation (ANF)
https://www.nursingworld.org/foundation/programs/nursing-research-grants/
Oncology Nurses Society: http://www.onsfoundation.org/apply/re/re01
American Association of Critical Care Nurses : https://www.sigmanursing.org/advance-elevate/research/research-grants/american-association-of-critical-care-nurses-(aacn)-grant
Sigma Theta Tau
International
1 July Grant Application Deadline: Doris Bloch Research Award *
Joan K. Stout, RN, Research Grant *
American Nurses Credentialing Center Evidence-Based-Practice Implementation Grant
Sources: Government
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
New Jersey Legislature
Public Health Service
Health Resources Services Administration: HRSA
National Research Grants
National Institute of Health (NIH) NIH Roadmap for Medical Research
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ)
PCORI
Grant Terminology
Call for Proposals(CFP), Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Applications (RFA): notice of an opportunity to submit a proposal on a specific topic Vary considerably on specifics
Interested parties are invited to propose how they would investigate a specific problem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcln08-QwHk
Terminology
Grantee (receives grant) Grantor: provides funding
Principal Investigator/ Project Director: Oversees the grant
Assures scientific integrity
Sees that all conditions and regulations are met
Program Officer/Project Officer: manages a specific program of grant funding
Supervises and provides technical assistants
Very important Person (VIP) to get to know
TERMINOLOGYPreferences, Priorities, Special Considerations
What the funding agency wants given special attention to in a grant proposal
Extra credit is given (applications are given priority) is this area is addressed or included in the proposal
Terminology
Peer Review Panel: group of experts selected by the funder to evaluate grant proposals Evaluates each proposal
Makes recommendations
Pink Sheets: Narrative assessment of a proposal Summary of strengths and weaknesses
Important for resubmission
Terminology
Program Guide (Guidance) or General Instructions: Presents information needed to submit and structure
your proposal with requirements
Read very carefully
Supplemental Instructions: Extend or modify the program guide
Individuals to contact
Additional definitions
Funding Cycle: Due date of applications up to the time awards are made
Overview of Proposal ComponentsExecutive Summary:
Clearly and concisely summarizes the request.
1 page
Statement of Need:
Documents the needs to be met or problems to be solved by the proposed funding.
1 ½ page
Project Description:
Includes: Goal, Objectives, Method, Evaluation
3 pages
Budget: Financial description of the project plus budget narrative.
1 paragraph
Appendix:
Conclusion: Summary of the proposal’s main points
Introduction: Describes the agency’s qualifications or credibility.
2 paragraphs
Future or other necessary funding:
Describe a plan for continuation beyond the grant period and/or the availability of other resources necessary to implement the grant.
1 page
2 paragraphs
-Diane Gevala, RWJ School of Medicine
Abstract
Brief description of the proposal (usually about 500 words): Executive summary Very important: first section evaluator will read
On a review panel, primary reviewer(s) will read the whole application, but voting members may only have the abstract
Write after entire grant has been completed
Address each required area, lift the most significant sentence from each
Writing SMART Objectives
SMART: Specific: Targeted rather than generalized
Measurable: Quantify the change you want to see
Attainable: Don’t try to cure world hunger, promise too much or reach for the stars.
Relevant: Does it make sense in the context of your proposal, is it tied to reality
Time bound: When will this objective be met, what is the due date, what is your time frame?
OBJECTIVES To be sure your statement is an objective begin with words such as:
To provide……
To establish.…..
To create…..
Example
Within 6 months of the program implementation the following objectives will be accomplished:
Hire 1 nurse
Conduct lead screenings to 250 children
Educate 50 parents about lead hazards and prevention
Denise Gevala, RWJ School of Medicine
Objectives Examples
By 2020, 25 ADN nurses will enroll in a BSN program
By June 2019, 12,000 meals will be served to 2nd graders in Lakewood
By the end of the first year, HCAHPS scores for Likelihood to recommend will increase by 5%
At the program’s completion, at least 70% of participants will report gaining an understanding of how to access the patient portal to get test results
Rationale, Significance, Importance…
Makes your case to the funderEliminate “So what” question which can be a fatal
flawCite important research, professional literature,
national statistics that demonstrate need
Literature Review/Theoretical
Framework
How is what you are proposing supported in the literature?
Develops the rationale and demonstrates relevance
Theoretical framework provides an roadmap that guides your work
Methodology or Plan
Lists steps to carry out project
Explain in detail how you will implement the activities needed to accomplish objectives
Research grant: each aspect of the research design meticulously detailed.
Approach/Methods
Presents a detailed plan of attack for each specific aim
Should support costs proposed in the budget
Describes how you will evaluate success in achieving your aims
Includes time table, often at end of section, to make organization apparent
Checklist for methods
Flows naturally from problem and objectives. Clearly describes program activities. States reasons for selection of activities. Describes sequence of activities. Describes staffing of program. Describes clients and client selection. Presents a reasonable scope of activities that can be accomplished within the time allotted for program and within the resources of the applicant.
Timeline
Evaluation Section
EVALUATION
• The evaluation is an essential tool for both internal and external purposes.
• It demonstrates to the funder that proper assessments are going to be conducted for the program.
• It provides you with important data which can be used for public relations purposes.
• Can reassure future funding sources of the diligence and sincerity of the applicant.
LOGIC Models
Dissemination Plan
Assure funds are used wisely Results have a wide impact.
Research Grants
Describes how study will be organized The proposed hypothesis Variables that will be measuredData collection and analysis Must be clear and conciseBegin by labeling your design (cohort, RCT etc.)
Major elements of design: variables, sampling frame, sample size, selection criteria, data collection instruments, validity and reliability, human subject protection, assumptions and limitations, timetable, statistical analysis
Research Design: Blueprint
The Research Hypothesis
A good grant application is driven by a strong hypothesis. The hypothesis is the foundation of your
application. Make sure it's solid. It must be important to the field, and you must
have a means of testing it. Provide a rationale for the hypothesis based on
scientific literature
Methods Section
The methods or procedures section is really the heart of the research proposal.
Indicate the methodological steps you will take to answer every question or to test every hypothesis
Be aware of possible sources of error to which your design exposes you.
Data Collection
Data Analysis• Specify the procedures you will use, and label them accurately
(e.g., ANOVA, MANCOVA, ethnography, case study, grounded theory).
• Indicate briefly any analytic tools you will have available and expect to use (e.g., Ethnograph, NUDIST, AQUAD, SAS, SPSS, SYSTAT).
• Provide a well thought-out rationale for your decision to use the design, methodology, and analyses you have selected.
Results
Define Define the criteria for evaluating the success or failure of a specific test.
Describe Describe your proposed statistical methods for analyzing the data you plan to collect.
Involve Involve a statistician early:
Show Show reviewers you will be able to interpret your results by revealing your understanding of the complexities of the subject.
Show Show you are aware of the kinds of results you can expect based on current knowledge of the subject.
Human Subjects
Assuring human subjects are protected is a key responsibility of the applicant
Include enough information so reviewers have no questions
Achieve your institution's institutional review board (IRB) certification prior to seeking funding
How are grants reviewed?
Many good grants are submitted: more than there is funding to cover them
Granting agency must find a fair way to decide which will be selected for funding
Most grantors will explain the review criteria: chances of getting funded are increased if you design your proposal with the review criteria in mind.
When writing your grant look for ways to showcase how this element or a particular outcome is what the grantor is looking for
Use key words and phrases from the grant guidelines and review criteria that can be easily found by the reviewer
Provide evidence to support a good score for your grant proposal
The hardest part is getting started
Put together an Action Plan once a funding source has been identified
Start Writing!
Next Steps
Preparing the Budget
What to consider Policies of funding agency:
What is the average grant award for this type of proposal
What is allowable under this grant
Can funds be carried over
Are no cost extensions allowed?
Policies of your agency
Salary scale for your agency
Fringe benefit amount
Indirect costs
Resources and costs associated with each project task
Detailed Budget Direct Costs Only
A. Non-trainee Expenses
Personnel (Do not list trainees) Time/Effort Dollar Amount Requested(Omit Cents)
Name Title of Position
% Hours per week
Salary FringeBenefits
Total
Mary Smith , PhD, RN Director, Principal Investigator 20% 4 hours $ xXXX $ XXXXX $XXXX
Sally Fields Researcher, Co-Investigator 10% 4 hours $ XXX $ XXXX XXXX
TBD Nursing Career Center Coordinator 100% 40 hours $72,800 $XXXX $XXXX
Alice Winkle Secretary III 50% 20 hours per week $XXXX XXXXX $XXXX
TBD Lab Instructor 20% 8 hrs/per week $ 5,200 - 0 - $ 5,200
TBD Lab Instructor 50 % 20 hours $26,000 $ 6,123 In Kind
Subtotals $135,684
Consultant Costs: (2) Mentorship and (2) Diversity Training: 4 (1) day programs $2500 each ($10,000); Tutoring for enrolled students $25/hr 12 hours per week $15,600. $ 25,600
Equipment (Itemize): Sim Man (Clinical Simulation Mannequin) with Lap Top Computer; Nursing Ann Vital Sim with carrying case; Wound Pack, IM Hip Simulator, Gatesville Child Mannequin, Basic Infant Care doll; Anatomical Chart Series; 4 Computer stations; LCD projector, TV-VCR
$64,454
Contracts: Sim Man Extended Warranty $3,000
Supplies (Itemize by category): General Office supplies: $1,500; Printing and Copying: $2000; Software: $7,500; Site license for Video NCLEX Review: $2995. $13,995
$4,000
$ 24,900
Budget Justification
Must provide a rationale for each line item in the budget
Systematically explain each line item
Demonstrate how each cost is derived
Grant Writing Tips
Read the guidance very carefully Make sure that you address every component Use headings Get to know the funder’s priorities and make sure you address them Call or visit the Organization Attend technical support programs Have someone with grant experience read and score your proposal Consider using an editor
Your proposal should:
Be informative, succinct, and logical
Emphasize and re-emphasize the important points in your argument
Use fonts, headings, and spacing that improve readability but make sure to follow the guidance exactly
Contain the kinds of buzzwords, phrases and arguments that the reviewer will want to see
Follow guidance specifically and exactly.
What if you are not funded?
Persistent people begin their success where others end in failure.
- Edward Eggleston
Top Reasons for Not Getting Fundedhttp://www.einstein.yu.edu/ogs/Guide/Hints.htm
Guidelines are ignored Importance of the project is
unclear Hypotheses are not supported by
literature and/or preliminary data Project is technology-driven rather
than hypothesis-driven Required personnel and expertise
not assembled Experimental plan is unfocused
and hard to understand Experiments do not include all relevant controls
Potential obstacles and alternate approaches are not discussed
Work load, budget and/or time-frame unrealistic
Problems with methods and data analysis Weak conceptual framework Inappropriate acknowledgement of
previously published research Investigators and/or consultants named
in research narrative but not listed on budget or "Key Personnel" page
Institutional resources are insufficient Letters of support were weak or
unrelated to the proposal
http://www.einstein.yu.edu/ogs/Guide/Hints.htm
Most successful grantees have submitted proposals three times
Review “Pink Sheet” recommendations Make an appointment to see Program Manager to seek
advice Go to Technical Support meetings with proposal in hand Review and revise proposal for resubmission Make all suggested changes Keep in touch with Program Manager
Steps to Take If Not Funded
Don’t give up!!!
What to do when you get your grant
Celebrate! Your hard work has paid off
Announce it: Email Blasts; Press Releases
The Good news is:you got the grantThe Bad news is:Now you have to do what you said you would
The Good news is: You got the grant!
The Bad news is: Now you have to do what you said you would
Advice to the Newly Funded
Maintain an excellent relationship with funding organization’s grant personnel
Establish an exemplary track record by meeting objectives and filing reports on time.
Disseminate your results in as many venues as possible Conduct ongoing financial analysis to document any cost
savings
”“
Examples: Successful Grantees
Internal Grant Aromatherapy Study during Breast Biopsy
60
Renee Trambert, MPH, RN, CBPN-ICPrincipal InvestigatorNurse NavigatorCarol W. and Julius A. RippelBreast Center
Mildred Ortu Kowalski, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CCRPNurse Researcher, ManagerCenter for Nursing Innovation and ResearchMorristown Medical Center
Internal Grant to Conduct a Study on Nurse Resiliency
Brandee Fetherman, MSN, RN, CCRN, SCRNDirector of NursingMorristown Medical Center
Kim Belton MSN, APN, FNP-C, CCRN-K, CHPN Manager, Palliative Care and HospiceMorristown Medical Center
Remember Persistence Pays Off
Good Luck!