Research Project Grant (RPG) Retreat K-Series

1. Research Project Grant (RPG) Retreat K-Series March 2012 Bioengineering Classroom

2. Project Title To be submitted to [agency] as [KXX or type] on [date]-[new or amended]-responding to [PA or RFA] Presenter Name Rank and Affiliation

3. Specific Aims • State concisely the goals of the proposed research and summarize the expected outcome(s), including the impact that the results of the proposed research will exert on the research field(s) involved • List succinctly the specific objectives of the research proposed • test a stated hypothesis create a novel design, solve a specific problem, challenge an existing paradigm or clinical practice, address a critical barrier to progress in the field, or develop new technology

4. Specific Aims Example • Specific aims (e.g., 1 slide per aim) • A typical number of aims in an R01 is three. Use an outline format for each specific aim • State Specific Aim 1 – “Validate the X system as a model for….” • Briefly state your predictions/actions for each aim. • SA 1.1 - [first sub-Aim: “Our hypothesis predicts that…” or “we will demonstrate that….] • SA 1.2 - [second sub-Aim] • Repeat for each Aim and sub-Aim

5. Research Strategy: Significance • Explain the importance of the problem or critical barrier to progress in the field that the proposed project addresses • Explain how the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice in one or more broad fields • Describe how the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventive interventions that drive this field will be changed if the proposed aims are achieved

6. Research Strategy: Innovation Explain how the application challenges and seeks to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms Describe any novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation or interventions to be developed or used, and any advantage over existing methods, instruments, or interventions

7. Research Strategy: Approach • Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project • Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success anticipated to achieve the aims • If the project is in the early stages of development, describe any strategy to establish feasibility, and address the management of any high risk aspects of the proposed work • Provide a tentative sequence or timetable for the project • Up to 3 slides for this portion of the presentation

8. Candidate’s Background • Describe your commitment to a health-related research career. Include a description of your professional responsibilities in the grantee institution and show their relation to the proposed activities on the career award • Describe prior training and how it relates to your objectives and long-term career plans • Describe your research efforts to this point in your research career, including any publications, prior research interests, and experience • Present evidence of the your ability to interact and collaborate with other scientists as well a strategy to become an independent investigator

9. Career Goals and Objectives - Describe a systematic plan that: • Shows a logical progression from prior research and training experiences to the training and research experiences that will occur during the career award period and then to independent investigator status • Justifies the need for further career development to become an independent investigator • Utilizes the relevant research and educational resources of the institution

10. Career Development/Training Activities • Describe the new enhanced research skills and knowledge you will acquire • Provide a summary timetable (and percentage of time) for your training plan, e.g.: • Attendance at regional/national meetings • Authorship of papers for submission to peer-reviewed journals • Planned grant submissions(s) • Annual activities, e.g., Responsible conduct of research (required) • Monthly activities, e.g., regular meetings • Completion of coursework

11. Statement of Support Summarize mentor information • Identify primary mentor name, position, expertise, credentials • Describe the type and frequency of mentoring interactions • Be clear about your role as PI of your project and extent of mentor’s contributions

12. Institutional Environment Describe how the institution’s research environment is related to your area of interest Describe how necessary facilities and resources will be made available for your career enhancement and proposed research Describe opportunities for intellectual interactions (e.g., courses, journal clubs, seminars, other investigators, etc.)

13. Institutional Commitment • Include a statement (on letterhead) from the institution describing the commitment to your career development, and ensuring the essential time will be allowed for the PD/PIs, other faculty and mentors, and the required protected time for scholars • Describe the research infrastructure, facilities, etc., that are available and accessible to this program

14. Summary Slide