Grant Writing in the Sciences

Summary

This course will help you develop perspectives and learn about available resources and strategies. The course consists of approximately 7 hours of self-paced online materials.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Identify different types of NIH grants and match projects to appropriate types.
• Describe the general steps for preparing and submitting an NIH grant.
• Explain how NIH grant applications are reviewed and scored.
• Understand the purpose of the Specific Aims page and begin drafting their own.
• Describe the role of preliminary data and the biosketch in an application.
• Recognize the importance of scientific rigor and collaboration in grant success.
• Consider approaches for resubmission based on critiques of unfunded applications.

Access to this online course is available from the date of purchase until it expires on 12/7/2028.

This is an online self-paced course that can be completed in approximately 7 hours.

1. The Big Picture
   1. Types of NIH Grants
   2. Procedures for Preparing and Submitting an NIH Application
   3. Resources and Approaches to Knowing Your Field
2. Research Integrity and Review
   1. How Grants are Scored
   2. Scientific Rigor and Protection of Subjects
   3. Developing a Budget for an NIH Grant
   4. How to Complete the NIH Other Support
3. Planning and Writing Specific Aims
   1. Planning and Writing Specific Aims
   2. Specific Aims Example: Basic/Translational Science
   3. Specific Aims Example: Behavioral Science
4. Optional Learning
   1. Preliminary Data
   2. The NIH Biosketch
   3. Mentorship, Fellowship Applications, and Team Science

To complete this course, you must review all content in modules 1-3, achieve a score of 80% or higher on the summative exam, and complete all required surveys. You will be awarded a certificate you can download or print upon fulfilling these requirements.

This course is intended for those who want or need to develop perspectives and learn about available resources and strategies for writing scientific grants. Understanding the process of writing a grant is valuable for a variety of career paths, such as:

• A researcher competing for grants
• A grant reviewer
• A co-worker to others who write grants
• A proposal writer for a non-profit organization or company

Learner Testimonials:

“The NIH-focused approach was the best part. The course trained on the highest standard like NIH that gives us confidence to apply for any grant body.” “1. Loved how practical the class is. 2. As a beginner in the field, the course gave me a fair idea about what needs to be kept in mind while writing a grant and what 'scoring criteria' are used while deciding the funding.” 

“This course provided practical, step-by-step guidance to grant writing and to developing competitive research proposals for funding. In particular, it helped us gain insights on the importance of aligning research objectives with funding priorities, and ensuring that the research idea on the proposal is stated in a clear and succinct way, while the writing style is convincing.”

“This course helped me broaden my understanding of the different components of a grant application, the requirements related to their content, as well as some of the key elements that distinguish a competitive grant application that is likely to get funded from applications that are less likely to succeed in getting funded.”

“What I found most valuable about this grant writing course was the comprehensive coverage of both the theoretical and practical aspects of grant writing. The course effectively bridged the gap between understanding the fundamentals of grant proposals and applying this knowledge to real-world scenarios.”