Putting Together an Effective Package

1. Putting Together an Effective Package Doug Lowy, CCR TT Investigators Retreat June 16, 2006

2. What’s in the package • Recommending memo • CV & bibliography • 5 most important publications, 2 reprints • Future plans • Site visit/BSC reports • Reference letters

3. Recommending memo • It comes from the Lab Chief • Scientific accomplishments • Scientific recognition • Contributions to Lab, CCR/DCEG,NCI, NIH, extramural world • Mentoring • Other assets (e.g., clinical responsibilities, distinctive contributions in collaborative research)

4. CV & Bibliography • Try to include all relevant professional activities • Scientific recognition • Presentations (esp. outside NIH) • Mentoring • Service to Lab, CCR/DCEG, NIH, etc.

5. 5 most important publications • Thematic vs. diversity • Senior (or first) author vs. elsewhere in author list • Collaborations vs. primarily your own work • Relative prestige of journal(s)

6. Future plans • Your opportunity to show how you think and plan in a focused manner • Include background and significance • Emphasize the goals of your work • Consider including 1 or 2 figures • Write for knowledgeable non-specialists (less jargon is preferable)

7. Site visit/BSC reports • Two site visits are usually required • Your last two site visit reports and BSC reports are included in the package • Your goal is to have a strong endorsement from your last site visit & BSC report • Your package needs to be submitted to the CTC within 2 years of your last BSC report

8. Reference letters • The CTC requires at least 6 from non-collaborators. We usually solicit at least 12. • The vast majority should come from leaders in your field(s) who are not collaborators • It’s OK to have 1 or 2 letters from collaborators, but committees will usually give these much less weight • All letters should come from senior scientists

9. Although I’m from the government, I really am here to help you!