Where
can I get help with writing the application?
After deciding which mechanism is best for you, you will
want to begin writing your application. Review applications
of colleagues who have had successful review and funding. Creating
a well-organized and well-designed research plan is critical
to successful peer review. Be specific in describing
what you are proposing to do, why this research is important
and how you will do it.
There are a number of resources available to you to help
you in this process. You will want to begin with the PHS
398 or SF424 form
and its instructions. Read the instructions carefully
before developing your research plan. The instructions
give details about page limitations, format specifications,
human subjects research requirements, and budget. Some
types of mechanisms are now using Electronic
Submission of Grant Applications.
Organize your research plan in a logical fashion. NIAID
has created a detailed tutorial called How
to Write a Grant Application that takes you through the
process while using the PHS 398 forms. The PHS 398
form requires that you use the following basic format:
Section A: Specific Aims
Your specific aims are what you want to accomplish in your
project. Generally, this section should begin with
a brief narrative describing the long-term goals of the
project and the hypothesis guiding the research. This
is followed by a numbered list of the aims. Most
successful applications have 2-4 specific aims that are
attainable in the stated time-frame. Recommended
length of this section is one page.
Section B: Background and Significance
Remember that this is one of the three sections likely to
be read by all the reviewers, so write this section in
non-technical terms for the broader audience. It's important
that you convey the significance of your research and how
it relates to the betterment of public health. Recommended
length of this section is two to three pages.
In this section, establish your familiarity with recent
research findings, the gaps, and roadblocks in your field.
If you leave out an important work, reviewers will assume
you're not aware of it. Highlight why you are uniquely
qualified to do the research. Ensure that citations are specifically
related to your proposed research and are cited correctly.
Section C: Preliminary Studies
The purpose of this section is to describe your prior work
that is relevant to the proposed project. By providing
preliminary data, you build reviewer confidence you can
handle the technologies, understand the methods, and interpret
results. Preliminary data will help show you have the expertise
to do the job. This section is not mandatory for new applications,
but it is difficult to obtain a favorable review without
strong preliminary data.
Include enough information to show you know what you're
talking about. Tell them how your early work prepares
you for the new project.
Section D: Research Design and Methods
When reviewers judge your application, this section has the
most weight. Here you will describe how you will perform
the research. Think carefully about how to organize it.
You may want to number the sections in this part to correspond
to the specific aims. It's helpful to create graphs,
timetables, flow charts and decision trees to demonstrate
the progression and details of your project.
Applications for clinical studies must include thorough
discussions of sample size and power. For large studies,
it is important to include a statistician as a key person
to assist you in writing and clearly explaining these elements
in your application.
There is no recommended page length to this section, but
you must stay within the 25-page limit for sections A to
D.
Other Resources:
How to Plan a Grant Application from NIAID
Grant Writing Tutorial from the National Library of Medicine
Grant Writing Tips from OER
Writing a Grant Application: A Technical Checklist from NINDS
NIH Regional Seminar Presentations: Grant Writing for Success (.pdf)
CSR Advice to Investigators Submitting Clinical Research Applications
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