Monday, April 30, 2012

Avery's Bucket List: Why we do what we do

I encourage you all to read Avery's Bucket List: My Bucket List.  The parents of an infant suffering from a genetic disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) have created a blog and bucket list of items they would like their daughter to accomplish during her anticipated 18-month life expectancy.  Some, like playing with a pinwheel, are easy for them to fulfill. Others, like throwing out a first pitch, were made possible with the help of others and outside organizations.  This family is suffering, but trying to make the most of every minute their child has before she deteriorates to the point where she ends up on a ventilator and outings become more difficult. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in research?  Were you hoping to cure cancer or some other awful disease?  Let this situation be a reminder to you of why you do what you do every day.  Whether it is working toward curing a devastating disease, or trying to find ways to slow the spread of malaria in underdeveloped countries, ultimately your research will impact society and individual lives.  Hopefully, in little Avery's case, there are researchers inspired to focus on finding treatments and a cure for SMA that will at the very least give parents more than 18 months with their child. 

Hello, are you new here?

Are you a new or early stage NIH investigator?  If you have never been PI of an R01 and are within 10 years of completing your terminal degree (MD, PhD, etc.), you may qualify as a new or early stage investigator and receive certain priorities in reviewing.

In recent years, NIH has moved away from self-identification of "new" status.  Rather than ask new investigators to check a box, NIH now uses data from the era commons to identify new and early stage investigators.  Thus, to have a chance at being classified in this category, it is imperative that you UPDATE YOUR ERA COMMONS PROFILE.  Without current and correct data, the system is unable to put your application into the proper category. 

As a new or early stage reviewer, you will be given some special considerations in review.  For starters, you will not be expected to have as many publications under your belt as more seasoned researchers.  Reviewers will look more at your potential for contribution to the field, rather than what you have already done.  With this special consideration comes some additional responsibility on your part.  Demonstrating the resources and mentoring available to you at your institution is much more important for a new investigator.  Reviewers want to see that you not only have potential, but that you also will have advice and assistance available from qualified individuals to make your project successful.  In the Resources and Environment section, new and early stage investigators are expected to include extra information on how their institutional environment will help to contribute to the overall success of the project.  Don't overlook this requirement! 

The most important benefit of new and early stage investigator status, of course, is the higher payline.  These rules are designed to help give an extra advantage to junior faculty and new researchers, to help bring more great minds into their fields.  Having a greater chance of funding, no matter how slight, is worth any amount of extra work that NIH could possibly require! 

Friday, April 27, 2012

Sample R01 and R21 proposals

One question I am constantly asked is "How can I look at previously-funded research project proposals?"  Several new R21 applications were recently added to the examples provided by the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).  Looking over previously-funded R01 and R21 grant applications can help you to understand the elements of a successful proposal.  Review all of NIAID's sample proposals here.  Unfortunately there are not any R03 samples at this time, but the R21 and R01 examples will still be useful for you and can help you to see what goes into putting together a successful research strategy section.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

It's Only 6 Pages = Famous Last Words

In a recent discussion, I spoke with a researcher who plans to submit an R21 for the June deadline.  While this person has some research experience, her team has experienced a dry spell in recent years, and I believe much of it has to do with this type of attitude and a lack of planning, which leads to last-minute proposals being slapped together.  In this recent discussion, she said that the research plan is "only 6 pages" and that she has some things written from other purposes and papers that she can put together to "easily fill 6 pages". 

HUH? 

I challenge anyone, new or experienced, to slap together an innovative new proposal, worthy of receiving NIH funding, by pulling together some previous work haphazardly at the last minute.  This is just not possible.  Think of what needs to be accomplished in 6 pages.  Not only do you need to describe your actual plans for the study, but you also need to detail its significance, innovation, and approach.  Failure to address all of these components specifically will not result in a well-scored proposal.  From my perspective, I believe the shorter Research Strategy sections are actually more difficult to write, because so much needs to come across in such a short amount of space.  I dread what this proposal will look like when it is finished if it truly is thrown together.

NIH Regional Seminar - Washington DC anyone?

NIH is hosting a regional seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration from June 20th - 22nd at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.  If you are new to the administration features of the eRA commons, there is an optional workshop on the 20th.  The 21st and 22nd will consist of several tracks of sessions focused on grants management, proposal writing, and research administration.  For more information or to register, click here

These conferences are very useful and can be helpful not only to those just starting out in research administration, but also to junior faculty and newer investigators.  There will be many opportunities for networking at this event, and you may even have an opportunity to talk to one of the roughly 35 NIH staff members who will be presenting and assisting with the meeting. 

One additional bonus: If you have never stayed at the Omni Shoreham, you will not be disappointed.  I stayed at the hotel several years ago for a conference and was quite impressed by its amenities.  Consider staying through the weekend if you can to take advantage of the beautiful pool area.  Plus, the hotel is only a short walk to the national zoo.  As someone who has visited many zoos around the country, I continue to be amazed by the offerings at the national zoo.  My favorite attraction was arriving in time to watch the elephants receive their "baths".   As an added bonus, admission to the zoo is free!  Come for a grants education, and then extend your stay to learn more about animals as well.  You might find that understanding animal behavior and training will help you to better work with some of your more difficult colleagues!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A strange but interesting research study...

This might be another research project that gets incessantly made fun of on late night television, but I actually think it was a great concept and am fascinated by the group's fundings.  In this article, "Study says having to pee at the wheel is like driving drunk", researchers describe their finding that impairment due to a feeling of needing to go to the bathroom is similar to that experienced when you are drunk.  On your next car trip, remember to take potty breaks when you need them, lest you be accused of driving with a full bladder.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Writing a research plan: Where do I start?

When drafting your research plan, first you need to make sure to come up with a good idea.  Presumably, if you are trying to write a grant proposal, you have completed graduate work in a particular field.  Start with what you know.  What has the focus of your experience been?  Who are your potential collaborators, and in what areas have they published?  Work on refining your idea before you start to write.  It will save you time so you do not have to rewrite sections. 

Once you have narrowed down your research question and are ready to draft your proposal, view this excellent tutorial from NINDS.  It will help you to understand the basics of writing a research plan and provide tips to help you draft your research strategy section.