Panel Discussion: Pre-doctoral NRSA (F31) Jennifer Onksen Ph.D Candidate, Pharmacology October 23, 2009
Outline
Accessing instructions and forms Overview of the NRSA
Eligibility Format Deadlines
Review and scoring of your application Tips and suggestions
NRSA - Instructions & Forms
Application and Electronic Submission info accessed at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm
SF424 (R&R) - Individual Fellowship Application Guide for NIH and AHRQ For preparing and submitting applications via Grants.gov Replaces the paper PHS 398 forms Detailed instruction from how to use the grants.gov submission program to what font types are acceptable
Forms for reference letters, biographical sketches
Eligibility for F31
All NIH grant submissions require a FOA
PA-09-208 - NRSA for Individual Predoc Fellows Participating Organizations - NIA, NIAAA, NIDCD, NIDCR, NIDA, NIMH, NINDS, NCCAM, ODS Proposal must fall in a research area within the scientific mission of a participating institute
NIMH --> Divisions--> Areas of Priority 70% of applications are reviewed
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Eligibility for F31 ď Ź ď Ź
Applicant must be at dissertation research stage Applicant must be citizen or non-citizen national of the US, or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (Form I-551 or other legal verification). ď Ž
Temporary or Student visas are NOT eligible
Format
Training goals/activities, site Applicant biographical sketch (CV) Previous research experience Training Plan Sponsor’s information
Biographical sketch - including support, previous trainees, environment, facilities, applicant’s potential
Letters of reference (3)
Training Plan
Introduction if Resubmitting Specific Aims Page Background / Significance Preliminary Studies Research Design / Methods
Rationale Hypothesis Experimental Approach Interpretations/Limitations Methods
1 2 3 4
10 pages
Deadlines
December 8th, April 8th Contact letter of reference providers by Nov 1 Send the required forms Reminder contact before Thanksgiving break
Cover letter
Enclosed please find my research proposal, “Title”. This proposal is in response to PA ____. Please assign this application the following
Institute/Center: Scientific Review Group:
Reason for Request:
Application Review & Scoring
What is scored?
Candidate/Applicant Sponsor Environment Research Training Proposal/Plan Training Potential
Review Process (approximate dates)
Late December - App assigned to institute/center Mid March - SRG will review and score
Percentile score based on categories above
After review, written comments made available Contact PO, discuss score, decide to rewrite or not Late May, advisory council meets
Tips and Suggestions
Start Early! Get feedback from diverse audiences Grantsmanship
Communicating to the reviewer that your proposed project is relevant, feasible, and that YOU can successfully carry out the work Text should be clear, concise, free of grammatical errors Include a timeline Be thorough Mastery of proposed methods Availability of equipment Coursework relevant to project
Tips and Suggestions
Training Plan
Interpretations and limitations
Meaning of possible outcomes Alternative approaches (can be hypothetical)
Reference Letters
Choose people who can speak to your research abilities AND potential to succeed based on communication/ leadership qualities, desire to succeed in science
If resubmitting
Break down introduction to address each reviewer’s comments Italicize portions of text that have been altered