Grant-Writing Strategies for Principal InvestigatorsGrant-Writing Strategies for Principal Investigators

How to Build and Submit Successful Grant Proposals

Elizabeth MitloehnerUC DavisCenter for Public Policy, Race, Ethnicity and GenderJune 14, 2005

Content AcknowledgmentsContent Acknowledgments

Thomas R. Blackburn

Getting Science Grants

http://www.josseybass.com/go/sciencegrants

Jim Millam

Abstract Presentation

The TeamThe Team

Photo Credit: Horse Barn

Collaboration is SynergisticCollaboration is Synergistic

• Principal Investigator• Co-Principal Investigator• Collaborators

Principal InvestigatorPrincipal Investigator

• Primary research idea• Lead author • Majority intellectual contribution

Co-Principal InvestigatorCo-Principal Investigator

• Second or third scientist• Expertise vital to project success• Full partner in intellectual work of

planning, interpreting, revising• At same or different institution

When to invite a Co-PIWhen to invite a Co-PI

• Important aspects of the project -- those constituting intellectual contributions -- are beyond your means or expertise

• New/ unknown investigators may want a Co-PI known to agency

CollaboratorCollaborator

• Provides consultation, specialized techniques, access to materials, or entrée into field areas, populations, etc.

• Can receive funding on a fee basis, paid from the grant

• Does not share in intellectual direction of research

Photo Credit: Canine Research Lab

Developing A Proposal for Peer ReviewDeveloping A Proposal for Peer Review

Photo Credit: Animal Genomics Laboratory

Address Three AudiencesAddress Three Audiences

1. Program Officer• Gauges fit w/ agency guidelines/ eligibility

2. Technical Peer Reviewers• Verify validity/ veracity of your science• Rate proposal

3. Panel of generalists• Vote on final awards • Often scientists from other fields

Title and AbstractTitle and Abstract

Title and Abstract make high-impact first impression

• Search funded titles/ abstracts• Develop at the beginning• Revise along the way• Refine at the end• Take the time to write both effectively

TitleTitle

• 100% useful information• Professional language• Addresses all reviewers • No methods detail unless proposal is to

test a specific method or use of equipment

AbstractAbstract

• Concise (usually 250-400 words)• All scientifically important features of the

proposed project• Context and significance• Hypotheses• Impact and implications

The neurological basis of photorefractoriness in domestic turkeysThe neurological basis of photorefractoriness in domestic turkeys

Photo Credit: ARS

Define Overall Research FocusDefine Overall Research Focus

• Photorefractoriness defined as a condition in certain turkey hens

• Condition limits egg production

• Determining and addressing the derivation of the condition can lead to significantly increased egg production.

State the Research ProblemState the Research Problem

Lack of understanding of the neurological basis of photorefractoriness, which causes hens to stop laying eggs.

Cite Preliminary FindingsCite Preliminary Findings

• Hens that remain photosensitive continue to produce eggs.

• Hens that become photorefractory stop laying eggs.

• The difference between these two conditions appears to be linked to the presence and function of tuberal neurons in the hypothalamus.

State New Direction for ResearchState New Direction for Research

This important finding now permits investigations of the neurological basis of PR.

Define Proposed Research Define Proposed Research

Research will determine:• HOW the tuberal neurons function in

photosensitive and photorefractory hens.

• WHETHER the role of thyroid hormone is critical for the normal behavior of tuberal neurons.

Specify HypothesisSpecify Hypothesis

Neurons in the tuberal hypothalamus of photorefractory hens cause thyroid hormone-induced reduction in the efficiency of phototransduction.

State ObjectivesState Objectives

1. Determine the neurochemical identity of the tuberal neurons and their connectivity.

2. Determine whether the expression of thyroid hormone-related proteins and mRNAs differ in photosensitive vs. photorefractory hens and under varying treatment conditions.

Objectives, Cont.Objectives, Cont.

3. Determine whether the tuberal neurons behave differently in treatment v. control.

4. Determine whether photostimulated regional brain metabolism differs in photosensitive vs. photorefractory hens.

Methodology = CredibilityMethodology = Credibility

• Objectives 1-3 utilize immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

• Objective 4 utilizes non-invasive micro positron-emission tomography imaging (microPET) and will be the first such use of this technology in birds.

• Answers to these questions will substantially increase our understanding of the neurological basis of Photorefractoriness.

Drive Home Research RelevanceDrive Home Research Relevance

• The long-term goal is to identify critical steps in the development of a condition that could be blocked or prevented.

• Eliminating this condition addresses the program priority of increasing fertility,…

• The proposal addresses Strategic Planning Priority #1 by ….

Required Narrative ElementsRequired Narrative Elements

Narrative Expands Info from AbstractNarrative Expands Info from Abstract

• Introduction• Description of significance of proposed

research in context of prior work• Bibliography• Hypotheses to be tested and methods

you will use to test them• Intellectual and other impacts of

research

IntroductionIntroduction

• Presents the conceptual setting of your work

• Is the appropriate place for conveying the excitement of your work

• Must be compelling, highly focused, and concise

• Includes an illustrative chart or graph to provide a visual theory of action

Graphic Credit: G. Anderson

Literature ReviewLiterature Review

• Also known as “prior work” and referenced in full bibliography

• Lays the context for the problem• Persuades readers that research area is vital• Cites leading current research, including your

own• Proves you have done your homework • Proves you have a significant contribution to

make to the field• Avoid plagiarizing someone else’s review

Research Impact and SignificanceResearch Impact and Significance

• Agencies fund research that (a) answers questions and (b) fosters new inquiry

• Spend at least 1/2 page on this topic alone• Detail themes here, weave throughout rest of

proposal• Remember tertiary impact: training

undergraduates, mentoring and education of broader community, use of requested equipment in laboratory class

• Refer to agency mission/ themes supported by call

Hypotheses and MethodsHypotheses and Methods

• 80 percent of the proposal narrative• Ask focused, narrow questions that (a) can be

answered and (b) lead to more questions.• “How” Detail Includes:

• Samples and how you get them• Anticipated findings• Precision of technique• Data interpretation• Impact of positive and negative results

Other Impacts of ResearchOther Impacts of Research

• Broaden your project scope to shed light on potential future research by you or others

• Show awareness of where research fits in larger context of field or discipline and potential practical outcomes

• Promote research as a wise investment of resources

• Promote researcher as forward-thinking

May seem obvious…May seem obvious…

• Read guidelines several times before writing

• Follow content sequence guidelines exactly

• Stick to all required formatting. Don’t cheat

Photo Credit: F. Mitloehner

Be Detail OrientedBe Detail Oriented

• Use an electronic spell checker, at least one hard editor, and one proof reader

• Repeatedly refer to the call while writing• Highlight all required elements and key themes,

and check off against final product

Stay in the RunningStay in the Running

Adhere to:• Word count limits (abstracts)• Font size / type • Margins• Line spacing• Page numbers• Sequential pagination

Questions?