Grant Resources

AddtoAny
Share:

WATCH THIS PAGE

Subscribe to be notified of changes or updates to this page.

4 + 6 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Preparing a Successful Application

Allow yourself ample time to prepare your application and submit it. Start the process at least four to six months before the application deadline. Please note that most applications must be submitted internally through eSPA (electronic Sponsored Projects Administration). For more details on the application and a sample timeline, see the Sample Timeline below.

For additional support on Grant Writing and Development, from developing your proposal, creating a budget, to post-submission, review the resources here.

Sample NIH Application Timeline

Plan

Develop a Game Plan

  • Understand grant basics from an NIH perspective (video)
    • NOTE: Always check to make sure you are using the most current version of the instructions
  • Use NIH RePORTER to identify which institute is most appropriate for your submission and to ensure that your idea is original
  • Find a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) specific to your area of interest
  • Identify the best NIH Institute and Scientific Review Group (study section) for your proposal
  • Plan and develop a realistic timeline
    • Find NIH deadlines for grant applications.
    • Always verify the deadline date; some programs have alternative deadlines
    • The FOA will specify if an alternate due date should be used

Account Access

Get Required Account Access

  • Identify your CHOP Sponsored Projects Officer (SPO) and Research Business Manager (RBM); you may also start by asking your advisor who serves in these roles for their grants
    • General Contact for CHOP Office of Sponsored Projects and Business Management: stokes [at] chop.edu (stokes[at]chop[dot]edu) / 267-426-0122
    • Notify your SPO through CHOP's Electronic Sponsored Projects Administration (eSPA) as soon as you decide you are going to submit a proposal (at the very least, 30 days prior to the planned submission date)
  • New to eSPA? Sign-up for a training session by contacting your SPO
  • You will need to have Principal Investigator (PI) status to apply for an F32 (usually assigned within two to three business days of the request)
    • F32 applicants are granted Temporary PI status (log in required)
    • Your SPO can help with this request
  • Your SPO will create your eRA Commons account (Please note this can take up to two weeks for processing through the NIH.)

Draft & Review

Write Draft Proposal & Have It Reviewed

  • Read the instructions for your specific FOA and begin to write the first draft of your research proposal
  • Read tips for developing a strong application that helps reviewers evaluate its science and merit
  • Create/update your Biosketch
  • Template language about the institution and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is available
  • Identify internal and external reviewers to review your proposal
    • Give them enough time for a thorough review and allow yourself time to incorporate the changes
    • Participate in a GPS cohort Mock Study Section for additional review. Contact grc [at] chop.edu (Grant Review Communities) for further details.

Review & Submit

Revise and Submit Proposal through eSPA

  • Be realistic about the time it can take to write and revise the application, incorporate feedback, and submit the application through eSPA
  • Format attachments and prepare for submission
    • Understand the requirements for preparing the documents you need to attach to your application, including criteria for the PDF files, fonts, margins, headers and footers, paper size, citations, format pages and more
  • Be ready to submit the final version for initial review through eSPA by the internal deadline (which is at least five business days before the NIH deadline)
    • All grants must be submitted through the Office of Sponsored Projects and are required to be reviewed by your SPO prior to submission. Please make sure you take this into account and get your final draft submitted internally on time.
 

Grant Resources

The Office of Faculty Development and Academic Training and Outreach Programs maintains a repository of CHOP-authored grants. VPN connectivity is required to view grant examples.

Below is an overview of the NIH F32 Individual Fellowship award. For information and the most recent application instructions on NIH National Research Service Awards (F series), please visit the Individual Fellowships Kiosk on the NIH Web site.

The Office of Academic Training and Outreach Programs is committed to providing support for investigators that are preparing Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grants (T32).

Services offered by the Office of Academic Training and Outreach Programs include:

  • Standard text and descriptions of programming available to Postdoctoral Fellows, Physician Fellows, Training Grant Fellows and CHOP-Based UPenn Graduate Students
  • Assistance with select aspects of T32 training grant preparation, including data tables
  • Generating and updating select grant template language

Learn more at ATOP's Training Grant Support ATOP's Training Grant Support site.

Below are recordings of valuable programs that are related to grant development. Applicable to investigators at various career stages.

  • NIH Submission to Notice of Award – In this video NIH experts walk through the typical path of an NIH R01 research grant.
  • Crafting a Compelling Grant Series
    • Getting Started – In this video, faculty at various career stages discuss how to get started when crafting a compelling proposal.
    • Specific Aims – In this video, Dr. Matthew Weitzman discusses strategies for crafting a compelling Aims page.
  • Mock Study Section – video recording is available upon request. Contact atop@chop.edu.