Grant Writing in the Sciences

Type

Self-Paced Online

Dates

Enrollment opens December 2025

Price

$200

Duration

7 Hours

This course aims to provide a basic primer on grant writing including learning about available resources, strategies, and approaches for developing grants, along with developing skills in grant planning and preparation.

Overview

Curriculum

Intended Audience

Faculty

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.

This course is primarily delivered via recorded lectures, supplemental resources to help you continue learning, and unit quizzes to test your knowledge.

Topics covered include:

NIH Grants - The Big Picture
- Types of NIH Grants
- Procedures for Preparing and Submitting an NIH Application
- Resources and Approaches to Knowing Your Field
- Developing a Budget for an NIH Grant
- How to Complete NIH Other Support
How Grants are Scored
- How Grants are Scored
- Fellowship Applications
- Grant Review
Planning and Writing Specific Aims
- Planning and Writing Specific Aims
- Specific Aims Example - Basic/Translational Lab Science
- Specific Aims Example - Behavioral Science
Preliminary Data
- The Importance of Preliminary Data
- How to Work with a Biostatistician
- Tables and Figures
The NIH Biosketch

Scientific Rigor and Protection of Subjects

How will this course impact you?

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 coworker to others who write grants
A proposal writer for a non-profit organization or company
A person who wants to sell their ideas

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.”

	Mark E. Sherman, M.D. Consultant, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences Consultant, Department of Cancer Biology Professor of Epidemiology Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Since joining Mayo Clinic, Dr. Sherman has earned three R01s as an MPI, a Level III Partnering PI grant from the Department of Defense, a Fulbright Scholar,ship and a Komen Tissue Bank award. With an H-score over 100, Dr. Sherman has published more than 500 manuscripts.
	Brandon J. Coombes, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biostatistics The research of Brandon J. Coombes, Ph.D., focuses on the genetics of complex diseases, particularly in psychiatric disorders such as opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
	Bruce Horazdovsky, Ph.D. Consultant, Department of Education Administration Consultant, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology The research of Bruce Horazdovsky, Ph.D. focuses on the dysregulation of intracellular protein trafficking events that occur in cancer and neurodegenerative disease.
	Laura Pacheco-Spann, D.H.Sc., M.S., M.S.M. Senior Program Coordinator Department Diversity Leader Ms. Pacheco-Spann is a Senior Program Coordinator for Quantitative Health Sciences in Florida, and has been the Allied Health Leader for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Quantitative Health Sciences. She will graduate from the Health Science Research Doctoral Program at Nova Southeastern University with a concentration in Global Health and Epidemiology in the summer of 2024.
	Christi A. Patten, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology The research of Christi A. Patten, Ph.D., focuses on developing novel, theory-based behavioral interventions for tobacco cessation.
	Evette S. Radisky, Ph.D. Professor of Cancer Biology Professor of Pharmacology Evette S. Radisky, Ph.D., has a research background in protein biochemistry and structural biology. Her research interests include many aspects of cancer biology, including the role of proteases in tumor progression and metastasis.
	Robert A. Vierkant, M.S. Assistant Professor of Biostatistics As a consulting statistician, Mr. Vierkant collaborates with many investigators in the Mayo Clinic Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Individualized Medicine (CIM). Current research activities include overseeing many of the statistical efforts for the Mayo Clinic Tapestry study, identifying and assessing breast cancer-related biomarkers, developing risk prediction models, and collaborating with Department of Surgery investigators on clinical research projects.

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