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!