Checklist for Part 2. Game Plan

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This checklist is based on Part 2. Game Plan of NIAID's NIH Grant Cycle: Application to Renewal. Find more checklists at Checklists for the NIH Grant Cycle.

Table of Contents

• Your Game Plan
• Choosing a Topic
• Choosing a Hypothesis
• Submitting Electronically
• Application Approaches
• Funding Opportunity Announcements

Your Game Plan

Do you know how long it will take to write your application and get funded? Find out in Start to Finish: How Long Will It Take?

Do you know what can delay funding? See examples at Why You May Not Get Funded Right Away.

Have you started mapping a long-term strategy? Learn how in What's Your Game Plan?

Are you maintaining your image by publishing and by presenting and interacting at scientific meetings? Read What's Your Game Plan?

Have you talked to your program officer and experienced investigators in your institution before choosing a grant type? Read more in Which Award Type Suits You Best?

Choosing a Topic

Have you decided what project to pursue for the next three to five years? For more information, see About Picking a Topic.

Have you considered scope and goals, e.g., writing several smaller, highly focused applications rather than one big one? Read About Picking a Topic.

Are you an expert in the science area? Read more in About Picking a Topic.

Can you tie your science to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, or cure of a human disease? See About Picking a Topic.

Have you made sure your topic is unique? Read more in About Picking a Topic.

Is your idea focused (not too broad)? For more information, see About Picking a Topic.

Can you create a hypothesis that is provable during your award period with the level of resources appropriate for you to request? See About Picking a Topic.

Are you considering an important, testable question that can make a significant impact on your field and public health? For more information, see About Picking a Topic.

Did you read NIH's five standard initial peer review criteria for R01s to understand how peer reviewers gauge merit and feasibility? Read more in About Picking a Topic.

Do you know what steps to follow to choose a topic? Find out in Steps to Choose a Topic.

Choosing a Hypothesis

Do you know how to create a strong hypothesis, the conceptual underpinning of your research?

Do you have only one hypothesis?

Is your hypothesis important, testable, and focused?

Does it increase understanding of biologic processes, diseases, treatments, or preventions?

Is your hypothesis based on previous research?

For more information, read Create a Solid Hypothesis.

Submitting Electronically

Did you request an eRA Commons account at least a month before you want to apply?

Did you find out about your institution's procedures and timelines?

Will you apply electronically?

For more information, read Get Ready Now to Apply Electronically.

Application Approaches

Do you know the two application approaches: investigator-initiated or a response to an NIAID initiative?

Do you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

Do you know how you can blend the two approaches?

For more information, read Application Approach: What Are Your Choices?

Funding Opportunity Announcements

Do you know the types of funding opportunity announcements (FOA)? See Compare FOAs, Institute-Specific PA, and Requests for Applications.

Do you understand when to use a parent program announcement? See Parent PA.

Do you know the standard receipt dates for investigator-initiated applications? See When Will You Apply?

Are you aware that AIDS, small business, renewal, and certain other applications are due on different dates?

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	Help us improve our outreach to you by emailing deaweb@niaid.nih.gov.

Find more checklists at Checklists for the NIH Grant Cycle. For more information, see NIAID's NIH Grant Cycle: Application to Renewal and the All About Grants tutorials.