Getting the Grant: Meet the Team By: Jane Coffey, Jason Yunk and Annmarie Thomas (as pictured to the right)
A
bstract The University of Michigan Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology (MIP) is consistently ranked as one of the top basic science departments
in the United States. For fiscal year 2019, MIP was ranked 2nd in the U.S in NIH funding with 72 awarded grants translating to over $22 million in funding. MIP is full of passionate, worldclass scientists seeking fundamental knowledge for greater advancement of human health. A crucial element of our scientists’ success is the pre-award grants team. With approximately 120 proposals submitted annually, they’re an essential component of both getting the grant submitted on time and accurately meeting all UM and Sponsor requirements to increase the chance for success. Senior/Key Personnel Jane: I have been working at UM for over 25 years, with the majority of that time in research administration. Pre-award is never dull; policies and procedures are constantly changing, and so are the players. The best part of the job is working with so many different types of people from grad students to seasoned faculty. Each brings their own style to the proposal
an R01 or F31, there is deep satisfaction knowing you were
and, when time allows, I enjoy reading to get an inside look
able to contribute to that award. It’s a pleasure to work for
at the science being done in the labs.
Physiology, and to be surrounded by passionate researchers whose aim is to make this world a better place.
Annmarie: I have been a grants administrator for 13 years and the pre-award responsibilities have always been the best
Specific Aims
part of working in research administration. It is a delightful
Our commitment is to serve faculty and ensure our research-
feeling to see grant proposals that I assisted the faculty and
ers are in the best possible position to secure funding. Some
fellows with get awarded. This is a feeling that has not left
of the primary ways we help are by reviewing Funding Oppor-
me over the years in my career, and I am very proud to be
tunity Announcements, providing checklists of all components
a grants administrator with Physiology. You meet so many
and deadlines, building budgets, proofreading & processing
outstanding researchers with brilliant ideas, and seeing this
proposals, submitting Just in Time requests, Research Per-
all come together in the proposals to share with others is re-
formance Progress Report, and essentially any other request.
markable. In the years ahead, my goal is to continue to assist
Our aim is to be a one-stop shop to all things research.
our researchers and to gain a greater appreciation for my team and Department.
We are here to help. From multi-center training grants to independent foundations, we submit a variety of proposals. Our
Jason: I am relatively new to research administration, having
scope of knowledge is wide and we love to see researchers
been in the role for three years. By far, the most rewarding
succeed. The pre-award team is committed to excellence and
part of my job is seeing our scientists get funded. Whether it’s
look forward to continuing our successes together.
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Physiology Matters
