Comments on: NIH Grant Writing Tips – #1

By: Yandong

Yandong — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:08:57 +0000

I want to know if there is a R15 pending and I want to use some parts for one of aims of my new R01? Is that possible for reviewing or will it be rejected to be reviewed by NIH?

Thanks a lot.

By: morgan

morgan — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:43:07 +0000

Steve – it is true that the more you try the more likely you are to get the goal.

But consider this. What if you put a neophyte 12 year old player on the field, versus an experienced player?

Obviously the experienced player, who knows what they’re doing and how to do it, has a much higher probability of getting the goal than the uneducated neophyte.

Just playing the odds naively almost never leads to “winning big.” Playing the odds in an educated fashion, however, can lead to that outcome.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:11:27 +0000

Applying grant is like playing FIFA soccer. A lot of effort put in but no goal (0:0 score). Or getting a goal but referee did not see it. You just have to keep playing and one day you will win a game or two…

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:10:03 +0000

This article just reminds me the circumstance that I had been involved (actually, I was the post-doc in the story). As a non-native English speaker like me, to write a great grant proposal is a real challenge. But it is so true that you can make your proposal more attractive and fundable if you know how to write your aims clear (at least, I saw how it had been improved in different rounds). Morgan, thank you!

By: Morgan On Science » Blog Archive » The new NIH grant format

Morgan On Science » Blog Archive » The new NIH grant format — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:48:50 +0000

[...] am a good example of that. When I wrote about my experiences with my colleague giving me major critical feedback on my specific aims, there was a key point I was making, without being explicit about it: that the experience with my [...]

By: Elyse

Elyse — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:37:02 +0000

Thanks Morgan!!! This article is super helpful. I wish I had read this 3 days ago before I submitted my first R21.

By: morgan

morgan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:58:14 +0000

Hi M Doyle,
I am providing additional resources in my list subscriber area, and will post a specific aims template there. To gain access, just use the “subscribe” box on the main page, and once you confirm, you’ll get a message with the information on how to access the resources. It’s free!

By: M Doyle

M Doyle — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:06:00 +0000

Thank you for setting up the site. Would you be willing to publish the template for the specific aims here as it could be very helpful to us junior scientists. Thanks you.

By: L.S.

L.S. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:30:41 +0000

Hi, Morgan – Great advice! I’m working as a staffer in congress this year, and the same advice is applicable to scientists coming to the Hill to advocate for their research! One page (and only one page) in plain English – why, what and how. Plus, the societal impact.

By: morgan

morgan — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:55:15 +0000

James – I know it can be frustrating. It is not always an easy path to pursue science. It has rewards but many challenges too. I can only hope to help others learn from the many mistakes I made along the way.