Elements of successful NIH grant applications

Is there a formula for a competitive NIH grant application? The Serenity Prayer may provide one: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the ability to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." But how to tell the difference? In this Perspective,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 2024-04, Vol.121 (15), p.e2315735121-e2315735121
Main Authors: Araj, Houmam, Worth, Jr, Leroy, Yeung, David T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomedical Research
Humans
Medical research
Motivation
National Institutes of Health (U.S.)
Peer Review
Research Personnel
United States
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Summary:Is there a formula for a competitive NIH grant application? The Serenity Prayer may provide one: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the ability to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." But how to tell the difference? In this Perspective, we provide an inclusive roadmap-elements of NIH funding. Collectively, we have over 30 y of peer review experience as NIH Scientific Review Officers in addition to over 30 y of program experience as NIH Program Officers. This article distills our NIH experience. We use Euclid's 13-book landmark, as our template to humbly share what we learned. We have three specific aims: inform, guide, and motivate prospective applicants. We also address ways that support diversity and inclusion among applicants and young investigators in biomedical research. The elements we describe come from a wide range of sources. Some themes will be general. Some will be specific. All will be candid. The ultimate goal is a competitive application, serenity, and hopefully both.
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.2315735121