crafting an outstanding nih grant application an insider’s perspective

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Crafting An Crafting An Outstanding NIH Outstanding NIH Grant Application Grant Application An insider’s perspective An insider’s perspective Martin Padarathsingh, Ph.D. Referral Officer & Scientific Review Administrator Center for Scientific Review/NIH Research Proposal Consultant, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute

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Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective. Martin Padarathsingh, Ph.D. Referral Officer & Scientific Review Administrator Center for Scientific Review/NIH Research Proposal Consultant, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. Outline. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

Crafting An Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Outstanding NIH Grant ApplicationApplicationAn insider’s perspectiveAn insider’s perspective

Martin Padarathsingh, Ph.D.Referral Officer & Scientific Review Administrator Center for Scientific Review/NIHResearch Proposal Consultant, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute

Page 2: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• NIH Peer Review Process

• Grantsmanship Guidelines

• Study Section Actions

• Application - Revision

Outline

Page 3: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

REVIEW PROCESS FOR A RESEARCH GRANT

PrincipalInvestigator

School or OtherResearch Center

National Institutes of Health

InitiatesResearch Idea

Conducts Research

Submitsapplication

AllocatesFunds

Center for Scientific Review

Scientific Review Group

Institute

Advisory Council or Board

Institute Director

Assign to IC and IRG

Review for

ScientificMerit

Evaluate for Relevance

Recommend Action

Review Process for a Research Grant

Page 4: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

Receipt DeadlinesR01 Applications

NEWNEW

• February 5

• June 5

• October 5

REVISED REVISED

(Competing)(Competing)

• March 5

• July 5

• November 5

Receipt Deadlines – R01/Fellowship Applications

FELLOWSHIPFELLOWSHIP

• April 8

• August 8

• December 8

Page 5: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

Applications Submitted to NIH

Page 6: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

Duties of Referral Officers

Applications Funding Institutes

SRA/Study SectionCSR, Institutes

ReviewersStudy Section Meeting

1. Assignment to Funding Institutes

2. Assignments to Study Sections

Page 7: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• The applications are first examined by Asst. Chiefs in the

Division of Referral and Review; they are forwarded to

the appropriate Referral Officer based on the area of

proposed research. Referral Officers ensure that the

applications are assigned to the appropriate Initial

Review Groups (IRGs).

• There are about 23 IRGs, specializing in Oncology, Cell

Biology, Immunology, Neurology etc. Each IRG has

multiple study sections

Assignment of Applications

Page 8: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• There are 17 study sections within the ONC IRG. They

cover a wide spectrum of cancer research ranging from

basic biology, drug discovery, translational sciences and

clinical trials.

• Each application is assigned to a specific study section

based on the type of studies proposed. This assignment is

determined by the Referral Officers and the SRAs of the

ONC IRG.

• Some applications will be assigned to a Special Emphasis

Panel based on certain criteria.

Applications Related to Cancer

Page 9: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

Interact with NIH staff & Colleagues

• Scientific Review Administrator- Identify study session

• Program Director- Specific research areas- RFA’s, PA’s, special initiatives

• Seek the advice of colleagues at your home institution

Presubmission Preparation

Page 10: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• MERIT AwardsProvides extended funding period for outstanding competing renewal RO1 applications

• Shannon AwardsProvides funding for grants from new investigators who are marginally outside the payline applications

• Minority Supplements

Other Types of Awards

Page 11: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Read Instructions – PHS 398/SF424

• Attention to Administrative Details

• Font Size Font Size

• Animal and Human Studies

• Letters from Collaborators

• Appendices – Manuscripts

• Mentor (Fellowship)

When Preparing Your Application

Page 12: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Never assume that the reviewers “will know what you mean” - CLARITY

• Refer to the literature thoroughly

• State rationale of proposed investigation

• Present an organized, lucid write-up

• Include well-designed tables and figures

• Obtain pre-view from colleagues - in essence an internal pre-review before submission to the NIH

When Preparing Your Application Cont.

Page 13: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Significance

• Approach

• Innovation

• Investigator

• Environment

• Budget is not considered in the scientific evaluation

Review Criteria

Page 14: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Important area of research

• Target sites: breast, lung, prostate, skin…

• Carcinogenesis mechanisms

• Development of new reagents, methodology, treatment

• Convince the reviewers that the proposed work is important

Significance

Page 15: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Hypothesis and Mechanism

• Preliminary Data - should be strong and convincing

• Specific Aims

• Experimental Design - questions

• Results, impact, future directions

• Potential Pitfalls and Alternatives

Approach

Page 16: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

A substantial weakness is a serious lack of

potential problems and alternative possible

results, and consequent alternative

approaches which will be utilized. This

imparts the impression that the success of

the proposal is absolutely dependent on

achieving the expected results.

Potential Pitfalls and Alternatives

Page 17: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Novel concepts and approaches

• Project challenges existing paradigms and/or introduces new paradigms

• Original and innovative aims

• Innovative use of existing technologies

• Development of new reagents, models, methodologies and technologies

Innovation

Page 18: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Appropriate training and expertise

• Productivity – track record

• Collaborators and consultants

• Network

Investigator

Page 19: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• A person who has never been a pi on a NIH RO1 grant

• Check new investigator box (2) on PHS 398 face page

• Productivity

• Independence, resources

• Letters of support from collaborators and chairperson

• Period of award

• Paylines – special treatment (?)

New Investigator

Page 20: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Intellectual and physical environment

• Unique features – facilities, resident experts

• Does the scientific environment contribute to the probability of success?

Environment

Page 21: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Divide applications into upper and lower halves

• Unscore applications in lower half

• Decision to unscore – MUST BE UNANIMOUS

• Unscored applications are not discussed. Applicants receive unedited critiques from the reviewers in their Summary Statements

Streamlining: Pre-study Section Action

Page 22: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Scored, Scientific Merit Rating: priority scores

• Unscored: unanimous decision

• Deferred

Scientific Review Group or Study Section Actions

Page 23: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Outstanding 1.0 – 1.5

• Excellent 1.5 – 2.0

• Very Good 2.0 – 2.5

• Good 2.5 – 3.5

• Acceptable 3.5 – 5.0

• Unscored applications fall in the range of 3.0 -5.0; they are not without scientific merit!

Priority Scores

Page 24: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Proposed studies are highly significant

• Addresses important questions

• Potential for providing valuable insights

• Solid foundation for proposed studies

• Novel concepts

Outstanding Application

Page 25: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Revise and Resubmit (2 Chances)

• Funding Outside the Payline

• Exception, Shannon, Private Foundations, Supplementary Support (Competing Renewal)

• Program Director’s Advice

• Scientific Review Administrator’s Advice

• Give up (I hope not!)

Options If Not Funded

Page 26: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Introduction – 3 pages

• Diplomacy: thank the reviewers

• State concerns fully and provide response

Revision

Page 27: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Concerns by Reviewers and Response

• Reviewer 1:- Concern 1

- Response 1

• Reviewer 2:- Concern 1- Response 1

Introduction Format

Page 28: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• Other Government Agencies – Cancer Research:

– Department of Defense Funding Initiatives

– Office of Orphan Products Development (FDA)

– Veterans Health Administration

Other Funding Organizations

Page 29: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• American Cancer Society

• Burroughs Wellcome Fund

• The Charlotte Geyer Foundation

• Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Private Foundations

Page 30: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

• NIH/NCI Grant Funding is becoming highly competitive

• Applications should be prepared with utmost diligence and insight

• The help and advice of SRAS at CSR, program officers at the institutes, and colleagues at your institution who have been successful will provide an added advantage in crafting an outstanding application

Summary

Page 31: Crafting An Outstanding NIH Grant Application An insider’s perspective

Questions & Answers

Martin Padarathsingh, Ph.D.Referral Officer & Scientific Review Administrator Center for Scientific Review/NIHResearch Proposal Consultant, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute