Writing
a Training Grant Application
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Successful training grant applications require different elements than do R01s. You must convince peer reviewers of your program's value by showing evidence of exceptional faculty commitment, resources, program design, training environment, and ability to recruit quality candidates. You should err on the side of self-promotion, rather than leaving out information that could help your case.
In assigning an application’s overall score, reviewers will address and consider each of the following five criteria:
- Training Program and Environment
- Training Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI)
- Preceptors/Mentors
- Trainees
- Training Record
For more detail on these criteria, see the March 27, 2009, Guide notice.
Demonstrate Quality Program Design
Reviewers will assess the quality of your training program. They'll expect clear objectives and a thorough program design that shows your foresight, competence, and understanding of what a research program entails. Specify the features of the program, special seminar series, and postdoc rotations.
Training grants pay mostly for trainees, so you'll need evidence of a committed faculty, courses, and high-quality, readily available facilities and resources. You'll also need a trainee pool with the academic credentials to become distinguished researchers. Describe in detail your selection critera for trainees.
Showcase Your Successes
Discuss the accomplishments of your former trainees, such as grants or fellowships awarded, other training appointments, promotion to scientific positions, publications, or patents received. Ideally, your program produces many solid researchers who remain in their field. If not, other program strengths can compensate for some weaknesses in past trainees, especially if your program is relatively new.
Plan for Recruiting Trainees From Underrepresented Groups
Your application must include program-specific plans for recruiting trainees from underrepresented groups; general institution plans aren't sufficient. Document your program's previous recruitment efforts among underrepresented groups, including successful and unsuccessful strategies. The best plans include personal recruitment efforts by the program director or faculty.
Include statistics on your program's current distribution of students from underrepresented groups who applied for admission or a position in the department relevant to the training grant, were offered admission or a position, enrolled in an academic program, or were appointed to the research training grant.
For more information, see NIH's Frequently Asked Questions: Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity.
Document Training on Responsible Conduct of Research
Your application must include plans to offer trainees Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research.
NIH requires additional training documentation for human subjects research. See Document Training in Research Conduct.
Comply With NIH’s Public Access Policy
Be sure to follow NIH’s public access policy, which includes citing papers from NIH-funded research in your application. See the Public Access of Publications SOP for details.
List your publications in the Biographical Sketch. For trainees or potential trainees, put their authored papers in Table 6: Publications of Research Completed by Trainees.
Submit Your Application
Follow the instructions in your funding opportunity announcement.
Additional Resources
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