NIH Grant Writing for Graduate Students

Topic outline

• General Course Information

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  • Course Co-Directors: Robert J. Milner, PhD, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

    Joan M. Lakoski, PhD, West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, WVU

    Course Prerequisites: None

    Grading Policy: Pass/Fail

    Course Format: Virtual/ Zoom

  • 

    Course Syllabus for NIH Grant Writing for Graduate Students File

• April 16: Pre-course meeting- Working with MSK Grants and Contracts
  • • Introductions

    • Working with the GSK Grants Manager

    • eGrants

    • Working with the Fund Manager

    • Activating and Terminating Awards

  • 

    Slides for Pre-course Meeting. 4.16.25 File

• April 23: Session 1. Introduction to NIH
  • • Introductions

    • Presentation:

    • Overview of NIH: organization, grant types
    • Application & review process
    • Planning an application
    • What makes a good fellowship proposal?

    • Closing discussion & questions

  • 

    Agenda for Session 1. Introduction to NIH File
  • 

    Session 1 Handout File

    Presentation slides on Introduction to NIH. Links within blue boxes are active.

  • 

    NIH Fellowship Instructions (Forms I) File

    These instructions use "Forms I", include the revised review criteria for fellowships, & are applicable to applications submitted after May 25, 2015.

    Source: 

    https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process/write-application/how-to-apply-application-guide

• April 30: Session 2. Anatomy of An Application
  • • Presentation: Anatomy of a Fellowship Application

    • Discussion of NIH Review Panels

  • 

    Agenda for Session 2 File
  • 

    Review Video of Study Section Assignment

    Link: 
  • Forms & Instructions for

    • NIH Fellowship Applications
    • NIH Biosketch
    • Referee Letters

    Download folder

    • Forms & Instructions
      • Application.Fellowship_Supplemental_Form.pdf
      • Application.FrontPages.pdf
      • Application.INFORMATION ABOUT EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES - Template.docx
      • Application.Responsible_Conduct_of_Research.pdf
      • Biosketch-blank-fellowship-template 2025.docx
      • BiosketchExample.predoctoral-fellowship.pdf
      • RefereeLetter.instructions-for-fellowship-referees.pdf
      • RFC - F30-F31_ReviewCrit.pdf
  • 

    Handout for Session 2 File
  • 

    NIH Biosketch Assignment

    Opened: Monday, May 12, 2025, 12:00 AM

    Due: Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 12:00 AM

• May 14: Session 3. Effective Specific Aims
  • • Presentation: Effective Specific Aims

    • Interactive Activity: Writing Specific Aims

    • Assignment: submit draft of specific aims for review at next session

  • 

    Agenda for Session 3: Writing Effective Specific Aims File
  • 

    Template for a Specific Aims Page File
  • 

    Due May 26th- Specific Aims Assignment

    Opened: Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 12:00 AM

    Due: Monday, May 26, 2025, 5:00 PM
  • 

    Handout for Session 3 File
  • 

    Recording for Session 3. Effective Specific Aims File

• May 28: Session 4. The Candidate Section
  • • Presentation: Candidate Section, Biosketch, Reference Letters

    • Small groups: Review of Specific Aims

    • Assignment: submit draft of candidate section for review at next session

  • 

    Draft Candidate Section Assignment

    Opened: Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 12:00 AM

    Due: Monday, June 9, 2025, 5:00 PM
  • 

    Handout for Session 4 File
  • 

    Annotated Instructions for the Candidate Section File

• June 11: Session 5. The Research Training Plan
  • • Presentation: Research Training Plan Section

    • Small groups: Review of Candidate Sections

    • Assignment: submit draft of research plan for review at next session

  • 

    Due June 23rd- Research Plan Assignment

    Opened: Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 12:00 AM

    Due: Monday, June 23, 2025, 5:00 PM
  • 

    Handout for Session 5 File

• June 25: Session 6. Commitment to the Candidate
  • • Presentation: Commitment to the Candidate Section

    • Small groups: Review of Research Plans

    • Closing discussion & questions

  • 

    Handout for Session 6 File
  • 

    Guide for Mentors on Commitment to Candidate File