A Practical Guide to Writing a Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Grant

A Practical Guide to Writing a Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Grant provides F-Series grant applicants and mentors with insider knowledge on the process by which these grants are reviewed, the biases that contribute to the reviews, the extent of information required in an NRSA training grant, a deeper understanding of the exact purpose of each section of the application, and key suggestions and recommendations on how to best construct each and every section of the application.

A Practical Guide to Writing a Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Grant is a solid resource for trainees and their mentors to use as a guide when constructing F30, F31, and F32 grant applications.

• Covers F30, F31, and F32 grant applications
• Detailed overview of the review process
• Key suggestions on how to best construct each section of the application
• Includes a checklist of required items

Predoctoral students (both Ph.D. and M.D. /Ph.D.) and postdoctoral researchers that are eligible to submit a Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA training grant as well as their mentors and advisors.

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Preface

Chapter 1. Ruth L. Kirschstein—The Woman and Her Legacy

1.1 Ruth L. Kirschstein—A Brief Biography

1.2 The Legacy—The Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Grants

Chapter 2. The People Behind the Curtain—Understanding the Review Process

2.1 The Review Process

2.2 The Role of Human Nature in the Review Process

Chapter 3. Who Are You?—The Fellowship Applicant

3.1 The Biosketch (4 Pages Maximum)

3.2 Goals for Fellowship Training and Career (1 Page Maximum)

3.3 Selection of Sponsor and Institute (1 Page Maximum)

3.4 Previous Research Experience (2 Pages Maximum)

3.5 Letters of Recommendation (3 References Required)

3.6 Respective Contributions (1 Page Maximum)

3.7 Activities Planned Under this Award

Chapter 4. Who’s the Boss?—Sponsor, Collaborators, and Consultants

4.1 Biosketch (4 Pages Maximum)

4.2 Sponsor and Cosponsor Information (6 Pages Maximum)

Chapter 5. Blind Them with Science—The Research Training Plan

5.1 Specific Aims (1 Page)

5.2 Significance (≈0.5 Pages)

5.3 Approach (≈ 5.5 Pages)

Chapter 6. Last but Not Least: Institutional Environment, Training Potential, and Other Scored Items

6.1 Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training

6.2 Training Potential

6.3 Overall Impact Score

6.4 Other Scored Items

Chapter 7. Details, Details, Details—Nonscored Items, Formatting, and the Cover Letter

7.1 Project Summary/Abstract (30 Lines)

7.2 Project Narrative (2–3 Sentences)

7.3 Responsible Conduct of Research (1 Page)

7.4 Formatting

7.5 Cover Letter

Chapter 8. Now What?—Resubmission

8.1 The Summary Statement

8.2 To Resubmit or Not to Resubmit

8.3 Addressing the Critiques

8.4 Introduction to the Application (1 Page)

Appendix. Checklist of Required Items

Applicant’s Responsibility

Sponsor/Cosponsor Responsibility