Grant Research Grant Research BasicsBasics

Asking the QuestionAsking the Question

Before you start, you must have both Before you start, you must have both clearly stated research question and clearly stated research question and primary outcome measure. primary outcome measure. What do we wish to learn? What do we wish to learn? Why are we conducting this research?Why are we conducting this research?

Asking the QuestionAsking the Question

To help guide your thinking:To help guide your thinking: If only one question could be answered by

the project, what would that question be? If the results were summarized at the top of If the results were summarized at the top of

the evening news, what would the reporter the evening news, what would the reporter say?say?

If the results were written up in the local If the results were written up in the local newspaper, what would the headline be?"newspaper, what would the headline be?"

Asking the QuestionAsking the Question

Formulating your hypothesis/research Formulating your hypothesis/research question:question: Not a predetermined conclusion – an Not a predetermined conclusion – an

investigative path. Recall what a hypothesis investigative path. Recall what a hypothesis looks like in stat – got with that.looks like in stat – got with that.

Asking the QuestionAsking the Question

Bad – “The central hypothesis is to show that Bad – “The central hypothesis is to show that components of automobile exhaust accelerate components of automobile exhaust accelerate degradation of statuary in Washington D.C.”degradation of statuary in Washington D.C.” This is not a testable statement – it’s a prejudgment.This is not a testable statement – it’s a prejudgment.

Good – “The central hypothesis is that Good – “The central hypothesis is that components of automobile exhaust accelerates components of automobile exhaust accelerates degradation of statuary in Washington, D.C.”degradation of statuary in Washington, D.C.” This is a testable statement. It might or might not This is a testable statement. It might or might not

be true.be true.

The planThe plan

Define the problem you want to addressDefine the problem you want to address Collect and critically analyze background info Collect and critically analyze background info

related to the problemrelated to the problem Develop the preliminary idea (don’t force it)Develop the preliminary idea (don’t force it) Assess the idea’s potential for success and Assess the idea’s potential for success and

modify it if necessarymodify it if necessary Seek constructive criticism from colleaguesSeek constructive criticism from colleagues Refine the idea.Refine the idea.

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The planThe plan

To be successful, not only in your To be successful, not only in your research but in getting funding, you have research but in getting funding, you have to to sell your ideasell your idea!!

The planThe plan

Your idea is your product and you have Your idea is your product and you have to be a good salesperson. A good to be a good salesperson. A good salesperson:salesperson: Makes a good first impressionMakes a good first impression Is well preparedIs well prepared Is credibleIs credible Delivers a clear messageDelivers a clear message Provides supporting documentationProvides supporting documentation Has appropriate endorsementsHas appropriate endorsements Has something special to offerHas something special to offer Is persistentIs persistent

The upshotThe upshot

Upshot – Upshot – Why is your idea so special? Why is your idea so special? Why are so special?Why are so special? You’re an investment – they’re the investors. You’re an investment – they’re the investors.

Why should they invest in you?Why should they invest in you? You need to be enthusiastic about your idea You need to be enthusiastic about your idea

AND you need to convey that enthusiasm.AND you need to convey that enthusiasm.

The planThe plan

Your grant application will typically Your grant application will typically include:include: Abstract or executive summaryAbstract or executive summary Narrative Narrative BudgetBudget Vitae or resumes of investigatorsVitae or resumes of investigators

The typical criteriaThe typical criteria

For NIH:For NIH: Significance and innovationSignificance and innovation Approach – feasibility of workApproach – feasibility of work Investigator – quality of background, training, and Investigator – quality of background, training, and

independenceindependence Environment – institutional commitmentEnvironment – institutional commitment

The typical criteriaThe typical criteria

For NSF:For NSF: Intellectual Merit Intellectual Merit

Advances knowledge and understanding?Advances knowledge and understanding? Well qualified applicants?Well qualified applicants? Creative, original concepts?Creative, original concepts? Well conceived and organized?Well conceived and organized? Resources adequate to accomplish task proposed?Resources adequate to accomplish task proposed?

Adapted from © Grant Writers’ Seminars and WorkshopsAdapted from © Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops

The typical criteriaThe typical criteria

For NSF:For NSF: Broader ImpactBroader Impact

Advances discovery while promoting teaching, training, Advances discovery while promoting teaching, training, learning?learning?

Broaden participation of underrepresented?Broaden participation of underrepresented? Enhance infrastructure for research, education?Enhance infrastructure for research, education? Results disseminated broadly?Results disseminated broadly? Benefits to society?Benefits to society?

Adapted from © Grant Writers’ Seminars and WorkshopsAdapted from © Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops

The planThe plan

Basics – things that must be included in any proposal. Basics – things that must be included in any proposal. These should be first summarized in an abstract, and These should be first summarized in an abstract, and then elaborated on in the narrative.then elaborated on in the narrative.

Overview, Aims and ObjectivesOverview, Aims and Objectives Lit review and SignificanceLit review and Significance Investigator’s prior results, if anyInvestigator’s prior results, if any Research designResearch design Expected outcomesExpected outcomes Broader impactsBroader impacts

The planThe plan

Start out with an abstract or executive Start out with an abstract or executive summary – this part will summarize all of summary – this part will summarize all of the things shown on the last slide.the things shown on the last slide.

Then move on to narrative – a longer piece Then move on to narrative – a longer piece that expounds on each of the that expounds on each of the components on the last slide.components on the last slide.

The OverviewThe Overview

This is the most important part.This is the most important part. Should be outlined first, but probably written Should be outlined first, but probably written

last.last. This should point out where the gap is right This should point out where the gap is right

now – and how you will fill it.now – and how you will fill it.

The OverviewThe Overview

This section should connect:This section should connect: Long term goals – the broader thing you could Long term goals – the broader thing you could

investigate with this study and this moneyinvestigate with this study and this money Overall objective – specific objective of this Overall objective – specific objective of this

study with this moneystudy with this money Central hypothesisCentral hypothesis

The OverviewThe Overview

ExampleExample Long term goals Long term goals

Reduce birth defects among children of farm workersReduce birth defects among children of farm workers Overall objective – specific objective of this study with Overall objective – specific objective of this study with

this moneythis money Determine the cause of environmentally linked cleft palate Determine the cause of environmentally linked cleft palate

syndromesyndrome Central hypothesisCentral hypothesis

Herbicide X is the causeHerbicide X is the cause Alternative Hypothesis – pesticide Y – present later.Alternative Hypothesis – pesticide Y – present later.

Adapted from © Grant Writers’ Seminars and WorkshopsAdapted from © Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops

The SignificanceThe Significance

After showing current knowledge to date, After showing current knowledge to date, document the document the

Gap in knowledge ANDGap in knowledge AND Why that gap is important ANDWhy that gap is important AND Why your idea will fill the gapWhy your idea will fill the gap

Adapted from © Grant Writers’ Seminars and WorkshopsAdapted from © Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops

The DesignThe Design

Using your hypothesis – how best to test?Using your hypothesis – how best to test? First step - formulate specific aimsFirst step - formulate specific aims

Specific aims – focused, brief, limited in scope, Specific aims – focused, brief, limited in scope, collectively tests the hypothesiscollectively tests the hypothesis

Adapted from © Grant Writers’ Seminars and WorkshopsAdapted from © Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops

The DesignThe Design

Example:Example:Hypothesis: Components of auto exhaust accelerate Hypothesis: Components of auto exhaust accelerate

degradation of statuary in Washington DCdegradation of statuary in Washington DCAims:Aims:1.1. Determine the content of sulfur, lead, and copper in Determine the content of sulfur, lead, and copper in

statuary as a function of age.statuary as a function of age.2.2. Determine the extent to which improved condition of Determine the extent to which improved condition of

statuary is related to introduction of unleaded statuary is related to introduction of unleaded gasoline in the D.C. areagasoline in the D.C. area

© Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops© Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops

The DesignThe Design

Describe briefly in the intro and more in depth in the Describe briefly in the intro and more in depth in the narrative each study or experiment or analysis that narrative each study or experiment or analysis that will be used to test they hypothesis – each is will be used to test they hypothesis – each is developed from the aims.developed from the aims.

Here, don’t focus on standard things – if you’re going to use Here, don’t focus on standard things – if you’re going to use a double-blind study, say it once – it’s not that unusual!a double-blind study, say it once – it’s not that unusual!

Focus on the important pieces of how you will be testing Focus on the important pieces of how you will be testing your hypothesis.your hypothesis.

The OutcomesThe Outcomes

What do you believe the outcomes of your What do you believe the outcomes of your research? research?

Note – you are not going to prejudge the Note – you are not going to prejudge the study – you are going to predict study – you are going to predict possiblepossible outcomes.outcomes.

This is the return on the investment the This is the return on the investment the funders will get – so summarize what the funders will get – so summarize what the important results might be.important results might be.

The NarrativeThe Narrative

Generally, the longest piece of writing in the Generally, the longest piece of writing in the application.application.

Fleshes out what you said in the introductory Fleshes out what you said in the introductory part.part.