Competing for Funding in the Biomedical Sciences from the National Institutes of Health & Elsewhere

1. Competing for Fundingin theBiomedical Sciencesfrom the National Institutes of Health & Elsewhere December 12, 2008 John Ivy JohnIvy@tamu.edu Office of Proposal Development Texas A&M University Texas A&M Health Science Center

2. Texas A&M UniversityOffice of Proposal Development • Unit of Division of Research and Graduate Studies • Supports Texas A&M faculty in the development and writing of research and educational proposals • Junior faculty research • Individual faculty proposal support • Center-level initiatives • Multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research teams • Diversity in the research enterprise • List funding opportunities • Proposal development resources • Grant writing seminars and workshops • Agency Toolkits • Craft of Grant Writing Workbook Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

3. OPD Member List • Jean Ann Bowman, PhD jbowman@tamu.edu Physical Geography/Hydrology, earth, ecological, environmental • Mike Cronan, PE, BS (Civil/Structures), BA, MFA Center-level proposals, research and educational partnerships, new proposal and training initiatives mikecronan@tamu.edu • Lucy Deckard, BS, MS (Materials) l-deckard@tamu.edu New faculty initiative, fellowships, engineering/physical science proposals, equipment, and instrumentation • John Ivy, PhD (Molecular Biology) johnivy@tamu.edu NIH biomedical and biological science initiatives • Phyllis McBride, PhD (English) p-mcbride@tamu.edu Proposal writing training, biomedical, editing • Libby Pasciak libbyp@tamu.edu Scheduling, workshop management, project coordination • Robyn Pearson, BA, MA (Anthropology) rlpearson@tamu.edu Social sciences and humanities proposals, editing and rewriting Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

4. Office of Proposal DevelopmentOPD-WEB http://opd.tamu.edu/ For an electronic version of this presentation Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

5. General Steps for Writing Competitive Proposals – Topics • Finding Research Funding Opportunities • Analyzing the RFP & Its Role in Proposal Development • Analyzing and Assessing the Agency Culture, Mission and Research Priorities • Understanding the Review Process & Writing to Reviewers • Overview of How to Write a Competitive Project Summary & Proposal Narrative Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

6. Your Research Interests will define funding sources • Your research interests should align with the Mission of the Agency • Biology • Biomedicine • Health disparities • Behavior • Biochemistry • Computational science • Interdisciplinary studies Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

7. Know the category of funding in which you are interested • Research • Training • Fellowship • Student retention • Student recruitment • Diversity • Curriculum • Loan reimbursement Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

8. Funding Sources for Biomedical Research • National Institutes of Health $29 bill. • National Science Foundation $6 bill. • Dept. of Health & Human Services • Department of Defense • Foundations • Environmental Protection Agency • US Department of Agriculture • National Aeronautics & Space Admin. Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

9. Where do you find the RFPs?(Who ya gonna call?) • Network with colleagues • Funding sources cited in literature acknowledgements • Corporations • Professional societies • Google searches • University posted listings • Federal agency web sites • Foundation web sites • Discussions with Agency and Foundation Representatives • E-mail listserves (last but not least) Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

10. Grants.gov The Grants.gov web portal serves as a single point of access for all federal agency grant announcements. New funding announcements from federal agency are posted to this site daily, and a range of other features allow subscribing to email funding alerts, linking to agency web sites, and searching for funding among agencies. Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

11. http://www.grants.gov/ Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

12. Search & Browse Grant Opportunities • Searchhttp://www.grants.gov/applicants/search_opportunities.jsp • Browse agencieshttp://www.grants.gov/search/agency.do Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

13. Grants.gov Search Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

14. Vaccine Keyword Results Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

15. Receive Grants.gov Funding Email Alerts Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

16. http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/ Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

17. Identify NIH Funding Opportunities • NIH Office of Extramural Research http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm • NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html • Search by keyword • Browse by Requests for Applications (RFAs) • Browse by Program Announcements (PAs) • Automatic funding alerts • Institutes and Centers (IC) homepages • Listed at http://www.nih.gov/icd • Go to IC homepage • Browse or search their “Research Funding” or "Extramural Funding” section Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

18. NIH Funding Mechanisms • Three principal types • Training — T & F • Career — K • Research Project Grant — R Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

19. NIH Training Awards • Institutional awards • Individual Training awards – for predoctoral (F31), postdoctoral (F32), or senior fellowships (F33) • Limited to US citizens or legal aliens Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

20. NIH Career Development: K Awards • Directed at retraining, professional career development, or recognition of career success • K Kioskhttp://grants1.nih.gov/training/careerdevelopmentawards.htm • Career Award Wizardhttp://grants.nih.gov/training/kwizard/index.htm • Helps you select the right career award • Participation may be restricted to certain Institutes and Centers • K01 Mentored Research Scientist • Provide mentored career development in a new research area • 3-5 yr, 75% effort • K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist • Provides support and “protected time” to individuals with a clinical doctoral degree for an intensive, supervised research career development experience • Biomedical and behavior research • 3-5 yr, 75% effort • K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development • Development of the independent research scientist in the clinical area • 3-5 yr, 75% effort • K99/R00 NIH Pathway to Independence (PI) • 2 years mentored postdoctoral research + 3 years independent research in tenure track position (or equivalent) Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

21. Research Grants for Independent Scientists • R01 – Large Research Grant • 4-5 years, $250,000+/yr • R03 – Small Grant • 2 year max, $50,000/yr max • R21 – Exploratory Research Grant • High Risk – High Reward • Transformational • 2 years, $275,000 total • R15 – Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) • Primarily undergrad institutions • Institute must have received <$3mill/yr in NIH funding Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

22. Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

23. Unsolicited vs. Solicited • NIH makes a distinction between solicited versus unsolicited proposals • Unsolicited (investigator-initiated) proposals (82%) • Parent Announcements (Program Announcements, PA) • Solicited (agency-initiated) proposals (18%) • Program Announcements (PA) • New research programs and updates to ongoing programs (renewable) • Request for Applications/Proposals (RFA/RFP) • One time request to fulfill specific agency research objective or need Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

24. Parent Announcements Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

25. Identifying NIH Solicitations by Topic Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

26. Example – Sequencing Technology Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

27. Example – Sequencing Technology Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

28. Funding Opportunity Announcements Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

29. Application Due Dates Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

30. Identifying NIH Solicitations by IC • Search by Agency (IC) • Identify funding opportunities within an agency • Steps for searching…. • Identify Agency (IC) • Go to their homepage (http://www.nih.gov/icd) • Go to their “Research Funding” or Extramural Funding” section • Perform search Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

31. Identifying NIH Solicitations by IC Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

32. Identifying NIH Solicitations by IC Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

33. Elements of an NIH FOA • A Funding Opportunity Announcement • Part I. Overview Information • Issuing Organization • Participating Organizations • Components of Participating Organization • Title • Announcement Type • Program Announcement Number • Key Dates • Executive Summary Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

34. Section I. Funding Opportunity Description 1. Research Objectives Section II. Award Information 1. Mechanism(s) of Support 2. Funds Available Section III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants     A. Eligible Institutions     B. Eligible Individuals 2. Cost Sharing or Matching 3. Other - Special Eligibility Criteria Section IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Address to Request Application Information 2. Content and Form of Application Submission 3. Submission Dates and Times A. Submission, Review and Anticipated Start Dates   1. Letter of Intent B. Sending an Application to the NIH C. Application Processing 4. Intergovernmental Review 5. Funding Restrictions 6. Other Submission Requirements Section V. Application Review Information1. Criteria 2. Review and Selection Process   A. Additional Review Criteria    B. Additional Review Considerations    C. Sharing Research Data    D. Sharing Research Resources 3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates Section VI. Award Administration Information1. Award Notices 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 3. Reporting Section VII. Agency Contact(s)1. Scientific/Research Contact(s) 2. Peer Review Contact(s) 3. Financial/ Grants Management Contact(s) Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal Citations Contents of an NIH PAPart II. Full Text of Announcement Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

35. Program Solicitation • From the PA or RPF – • Determine supporting ICs • Identify mechanism (R, T, U, etc.) • Determine eligibility • Identify review criteria • Learn essential information to develop and write a competitive proposal that is fully responsive to the agency’s objectives and review criteria. • Continuously use the RPF throughout proposal development and writing as a reference point to ensure that an evolving proposal narrative fully addresses and accurately reflects the goals and objectives of the funding agency –including the review criteria. Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

36. Staying Informed on NIH FOAs Subscribe to Weekly E-mail LISTSERV Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

37. Agency-initiated Investigator-initiated Remember, investigator-initiated grants represent >80% of those funded by NIH! Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

38. Identifying funding opportunitiesSUMMARY • Develop search protocols to fit research interests • Know relevant agencies • Learn grant cycles Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

39. Know the Funding Agency NIH Mission • NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is • science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and • the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

40. NIH – 20 Institutes, 7 Centers Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

41. National Institutes of Health • NIH is a basic research agency • Each Institute has its own mission • Each Institute has its own budget • Each Institute has its own activities • Each Institute has its own ways of doing things When you’re planning to submit a grant, check with Program Officers from different institutes to determine their specific policies and interest in your science. Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

42. Know your home-base IC's Mission For Researchers About NIDA Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

43. Analyze the Agency: NIH Culture • Trans-NIH initiatives – research that cuts across typical agency boundaries of various ICs • http://www.nih.gov/about/transnih.htm • Model Organisms for Biomedical Research • Blueprint for Neuroscience Research • Bioengineering Consortium • Biomaterials and Medical Implants • Bioinformatics at the NIH • Mammalian Gene Collection • Cognitive & Emotional Health • Translational Research • Part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research • http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/ • http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/clinicalresearch/overview-translational.asp Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

44. NIH Funding Investments and Priorities • NIH has investment priorities based on past research findings and current trends in science • Targeted areas (FY 2008 proposed budget): • HIV/AIDs • Biodefense • Roadmap for Biomedical Research • Enhanced Support for New Investigators • Physical Infrastructure • NIH FY2007 budget is $28.8 billion (FY2008 proposed $28.85 billion) • NIH funds research projects inside their own laboratories (intramural) and outside their laboratories at national and international locations (extramural) • Extramural funding 85% • Intramural Funding 10% • Research Infrastructure 5% Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

45. New Investigator Programhttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/index.htm Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

46. For New Investigators • K99/R00 Pathway to Independence • Must have fewer than 5 yr postdoc experience • Open to US and non-US citizens • 2 yr mentored Post-doc; 75% effort required • 3 yr independent, tenure-track or equivalent position; 75% research effort • R01 – fast review for new investigators • Check box on cover page for new investigators • Example: Oct 5 Submit Mar 1 Summary Statement Mar 20 Resubmit (Mar 5, Jul 5, Nov 5) Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

47. For New Investigators • More lenient R01 payline for new investigators (varies by IC) • In FY07, 500 R01 awards to be made to new investigators • DP2 – Director’s New Innovator Award • For exceptionally creative work of new investigators • Requires highly innovative approaches that have the potential to produce an unusually high impact • Must have completed doctoral degree within ~10 yr • Awards up to $300,00 Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

48. A New Initiative:Identify Early Stage Investigators • Designed to encourage early transition to independence • the average age at which an investigator first obtains R01 funding has increased by more than 5 years between 1980 to and 2001 • New Investigator:  An NIH research grant Principal Investigator who has not yet competed successfully for a substantial, competing NIH research grant AND • Early Stage Investigator (ESI):  An individual who is classified as a New orFirst-Time Investigator and is within 10 years of completing his or her terminal research degree or is within 10 years of completing medical residency Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

49. Details of:Early Stage Investigators Initiative • Early Stage Investigator (ESI):  • NIH will collect necessary data from the eRA Commons personal profile • NIH will eliminate the New Investigator Check Box on the application face page • New or First-Time Investigators will continue to be identified by determining whether the individual has had significant, previous NIH funding • PD/PIs who receive a substantive, competing NIH research grant will lose their New Investigator status and hence their status as an ESI • Applications from ESIs and New Investigators will be identified to reviewers so that appropriate consideration of their career stage can be applied during review • New Investigators as well as ESIs will be eligible for the “Full Implementation to Shorten the Review Cycle for New Investigator R01 Applications Reviewed in Center for Scientific Review Recurring Study Sections" Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University

50. Early Stage Investigator New NIH Policy Supports Transition to Independence • Peer reviewers will be instructed to concentrate more on the proposed method of research and to expect less preliminary data than might be provided by an established investigator. • In addition, many NIH institutes and centers will give special consideration to ESI applications; while in some cases, grant periods for ESIs may be longer. • All New Investigators must update their eRA Commons profiles to ensure that they are given appropriate consideration for R01 applications for February, 2009 due dates and beyond. • New investigators who do not yet have an eRA Commons account should work through the sponsored research office or its equivalent at their institution to establish an eRA Commons account. Office of Proposal Development, Texas A&M University