Components of the Grant Proposal
Scientific |
Administrative |
| Issues, Problems, and Goals | Title |
| Specific Aims | Abstract |
| Background and Significance | Personnel |
| Preliminary Data | Resources |
| Methods | Budget |
| Appendices |
Issue or problem whose importance is either obvious or briefly stated
Long-term "global" objective of project
About one page in length
Typically includes short conceptual narrative followed by well-defined objectives and/or criteria from which the rest of the project is derived and level of success is determined
Relationship with experimental plan should be clear; methodology can be introduced
Presented in a readable, often outline, form so
that readers can see the precise questions to be answered and the outcomes
anticipated
Helps the reviewer to understand the problem being addressed
Avoids jargon that only experts will appreciate
Shows your understanding of the important issues in the discipline
Presents knowledge gap to be addressed and shows the uniqueness of your approach
Reviews the relevant literature objectively
Shows that the project is realistic and feasible
Shows that your team can successfully do the proposed work now
Convinces the reviewers that your hypothesis should be tested
Presents a detailed plan of attack for each specific aim
Should support costs proposed in the budget
Describes how you will evaluate success in achieving your aims
Provides a flow chart of logic for each experiment's results and the subsequent steps in the research plan
Addresses sub-optimal methodologies and offers rationale for their use
Includes time table, often at end of section, to make
organization apparent
Appendices
New Guidelines:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-018.html
May include
Publications:
Applicants may submit up to 3 of the following types of publications. Any exceptions will be noted in specific FOAs.Other:
Surveys, questionnaires, data collection
instruments, clinical protocols, and informed consent documents may be submitted
in the Appendix as necessary.
Paper PHS398 applications only may include full-sized
glossy photographs of material such as electron micrographs or gels in the
Appendix; however, an image of each (may be reduced in size but readily legible)
must also be included within the page limitations of the Research Plan.
Helps the funder choose the best reviewer
Most scientists can understand
Honestly presents the proposal
Might remain appropriate for future renewals
Is a summary of your entire proposal - written LAST
Should be understood by scientists outside your field
Will be the first thing read by primary reviewers and the only thing read by some voting members of the review committee
Will influence the way reviewers approach
the rest of the proposal
Writing an Abstract
State the problem and the long-term goals
State the specific aims of the current project
Describe the methodologies proposed
State the significance of the work
WHO proposes to do a project is just as important as WHAT is being proposed because a grant is an investment, not a contract. Reviewers need to be convinced that the research team is capable. Evidence for this includes:
Education and training
Scientific track-record
Specific expertise
Appropriate percent effort committed
Use of consultants to fill gaps in staff expertise
Is your research space adequate?
Will necessary equipment be available?
What shared research facilities are available?
Remember: If you declare the availability of a resource here, don't ask for the money to buy it in the budget
= the costs associated with your planned activities
Parts of the Budget
Personnel
Consultants
Equipment
Supplies
Travel
Other Expenses-
- Patients
- Animals
- Construction and renovation
- Publication costs
- Equipment service contracts
- Telephone, fax, email
To develop a budget you must know:What costs are allowable (depends on funding agency)
The F& A (Facilities and Administration cost--also known as "indirect cost") rate that will be applied by your institution
What types of "re-budgeting" are permitted during the post-award period
Whether "cost sharing" is required
Whether unwritten upper limits exist for projects like
yours and/or investigators at your level
REMEMBER:
Include ALL costs associated with your project
Use a "Budget Justification" section to give a brief but clear rationale for all budget categories and most budget items
Request assistance from your departmental administrator and/or Grant Accounting when questions arise
Check for inconsistencies between the budget and other parts of the proposal
