Grant Writing for Research Unfolding the Mystery

Transcription

1 Grant Writing for Research Unfolding the Mystery

2 57 th American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Annual Research Conference Las Vegas, NV Monday, September 30, :30 9:00 a.m. Cynthia D. Lamon, Director of Research Services, Office of Research, Center for Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK

3 Never pay for grant resource information! Internal, institutional resources

4 Independent Researchers American Cancer Society Human Science Research Program American Heart Association Foundation Center Gates Foundation

5 Various Funding Proposals Unsolicited Proposals may be sent to federal agencies any time of year, on a regular cycle. Program Announcements new areas of research or areas of new emphasis. Request for Proposals/Request for Application (RFP or RFA) researchers must respond by a particular deadline.

6 Types of Funding Grants provide money, equipment, or both to researchers to carry out approved projects and/or activities. Grantee must conduct the research, report on the progress, prepare results for publication. Cooperative Agreements federal agencies have substantial involvement in the substance of the particular research project. i.e., NSF uses cooperative agreements with organizations that manage national user facilities such as astronomical observatories. Contracts Agreements between an institution and an awarding agency that generally involves the creation of a tangible product or service. Some contracted activities include testing and evaluation of a proprietary product; development of equipment, technical reports and evaluation, and /or consulting services. Association of American Universities

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8 Research and Safety Committees Animal Use Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Human Subject Research Institutional Review Board (IRB)

9 Safety Committees Cont d. Biosafety Committee Toxins Biological agents Bio-hazardous agents Radiation Safety Laser Safety Emergency Response Plan/Team

10 Scientific Misconduct Ethics, Compliance and Rules Responsible Conduct of Research training (RCR) Conflict of Interest training (COI)

11 Sample Timeline Except for rolling deadlines, you will normally receive about a six month notice on federal grants if lucky, one or two years If interdisciplinary, collaborative, in nature, allow 3-4 extra months for planning meetings. Contact Program Officer/Manager at selected federal agency or private funding org. make sure it is the right FIT. Begin writing have ready at LEAST two weeks before submission deadline. (why?)

12 Elements of a Proposal Cover Page/Title Page Table of Contents Abstract or Project Summary Narrative/Project Description/Research Plan NSF requires: Intellectual merit of the proposed activity how will it advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields? How well qualified is the PI and team? Does it explore creative and original concepts? Is it well conceived and organized? Is there sufficient access to resources? Broader impacts of the proposed activity how will it benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes? Does it advance discovery and understanding, while promoting teaching, training, and learning? Does it broaden participation of underrepresented groups? Will it enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, partnerships?

13 Elements of a Proposal cont d: Narrative/Project Description/Research Plan NIH Research Plan: Specific Aims What do you intend to do? Background and Significance Why is the work important? Preliminary Studies/Progress What have you already done? Research Design and Methods How are you doing the work? NIH Review Criteria: Significance ability of project to improve health Approach feasibility of methods and appropriateness of budget Innovation originality of research Investigator training and experience of PI Environment suitability of facilities and adequacy of support

14 Elements of a Proposal cont d: Bibliography/Literature Cited/References Budget (Budget Forms) Budget Justification/Budget Narrative CV/Resume/Biographical Sketch (NIH) Other Support/Current and Pending Support Appendices (facilities, equipment) Letters of Support (all different) The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

15 Before you begin to write: Read the MOST RECENT Application Form, Guidelines, Guidebooks, and amendments to the solicitation. Make sure your research fits fills an important gap in knowledge. Contact the Program Officer for a discussion. Find out median funding level for the solicitation to adjust and refine your budget. Find successful grantees, research geographic area, subject matter, partners. The Art of Grantsmanship Jacob Kraicer, MD, PhD, University of Toronto, Canada

16 Begin to formulate/clarify your idea(s): Do you have a clear, concise, testable hypothesis? Are the objectives & research aims in focus? What question(s) will be addressed? Can you define and design experiments to test the hypothesis? Can you describe the methods to be used? How will you know when you get there (results)? The Art of Grantsmanship Jacob Kraicer, MD, PhD, University of Toronto, Canada

17 Budget is NOT an afterthought Begin your budget early in process some BEGIN with the budget Make sure the budget narrative explains every detail of budget Read through narrative, research plan, postdoc plan, data management plan, and make sure budgetary items MATCH. Work with Research and Sponsored Programs Office for Facilities & Administrative (F&A) (Indirect Costs), fringe benefits, time and effort, etc.

18 Proposal Development & Grant Writing Resources The Art of Grantsmanship A Guide to Proposal Planning and Writing The Science of Scientific Writing NSF, NIH, other federal organizations publish GUIDES

19 Extra Plan(s) are VITAL components to the proposal NSF and NIH, other federal agencies may require: Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan (if you request funding for a postdoc) and/or a Data Management Plan Explain how you will gather, store, manipulate, report, and share data and results from research Dissemination Plan journal articles, national conferences, campus seminars, web page, electronic publication, videoconferences, webinars Federal agencies have templates and technical assistance. Use them!

20 Tips from the Pros Don t waste words. Keep it clear, factual, simple. After you ve written the grant, read, read, and read again. Ask for input from Research or Sponsored Research Office staff and other colleagues/faculty especially funded docs/faculty. Ask a spouse or friend (not in your field) to read it. Do NOT solely depend on online tools like spell check. A hurried proposal rarely wins. (Seasoned grant reviewers.)

21 Grants Review Peer review process Initial Level of Review Priority Scores Summary Statements Second Level of Review Notification of Award If reviewed and not funded, revise, rewrite, resubmit (various rules for resubmission).

22 Rewrite, Resubmit Why? Acceptance rate for NIH grants is 20-30%, depending on the individual institute. PIs with reasonably high scores that are asked to address issues, rewrite and resubmit chances go up to 50-60% acceptance rate. Acceptance rate for NSF proposals is around 21% on first try approx. 50% on second submission. (NSF workshop, Tulsa 2013) Bad news can lead to good news. The Scientist, Inc.

23 What Reviewers Look for: Proposals that are highly organized. Follow guidelines EXACTLY. (font, size, page limits, etc.) Number pages ALWAYS. Table of Contents (if required) NOTHING EXTRA! Proposals that they can understand. Make sure that your science jargon is minimal, but still explains the proposed scientific research. If they use the word transdisciplinary, don t use interdisciplinary. Proposals that have matching narrative and budget. Personnel most important. Pay attention to T&E.

24 What Reviewers Look for: Proposals that are pleasing to the eye/readable. Use headings, spacing, not one paragraph running into the other to save space. (They get readers fatigue. ) Be careful with charts and graphics. (Make a printed copy to make sure.) Proposals that (clearly) someone else has read. Share with colleagues, spouse or friend, someone NOT in your field. NO TYPOS!!! Proposals that answer their questions. Never answer questions you are not asked. Reviewers catch on quickly to proposals that are full of unnecessary and unrelated jargon, statistics, partnerships. The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA

25 Why Proposals are Denied Absence of innovative ideas or hypothesis Will provide only an incremental advance in knowledge Not novel or cutting edge Errors Unclear or incomplete expression of research aims Faulty logic or experimental design Less than rigorous presentation Too ambitious Resources and facilities not in place PI qualifications/expertise not evident Necessary collaboration not documented NSF Proposal Writing Workshop, G. Wilson

26 Final Comments Don t overshoot your mark! Sharpen focus. Don t propose too much in one proposal. Reviewer s comments Take them extremely seriously. If rewriting, address all concerns in comments. Never argue. Always explain. If in doubt, call the Program Officer for guidance. Build a diversified funding portfolio federal, state, private, internal funding sources. Always be planning for sustainability. Don t wait until your last six months of a five-year grant to begin looking.

27 Questions?

28 Cynthia D. Lamon, Director of Research Services OSU CHS