grant research basics. asking the question before you start, you must have both clearly stated...
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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.