Writing an NIH Grant

Catalog description

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the grant writing process: fundamentals of good grant writing, general preparation of grant application (e.g. specific aims, research strategy, budgets, analysis of reviews and strategies of rebuttal and re-application), identifying RFAs, study sections, program officers and Scientific Review Officers (SROs), research strategy and detailed descriptions of the different types of funding mechanisms (e.g. R01, R21, K99/R00). While all grant mechanisms will be discussed, the class will focus on those relevant to the participants. Three mock study sections – two consisting of peer review and the other of faculty – is expected to familiarize the participants with the NIH review process. This course is expected to provide the foundation of any grant proposal, in terms of writing skills. It will be mandatory for all students to submit the intermediate proposals, and the final proposal. The participants will be drafting, revising, and working one-on-one with their peers and the course director to improve their proposal. The course will provide hands-on experience drafting the specific aims, significance, and innovation sections, through peer and faculty evaluation. Audience: Faculty or postdocs who have not written an NIH grant before or need guidance with submitting a revised application. Advanced graduate students may be permitted to enroll in the course.