A collaboration between the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and the Translation Research Institute, the Path 2 K grant writing program offers junior faculty members four to six months of structured activities focused on specific steps in the application/submission process for an NIH Career (“K”) Development grant (e.g., K01, K08, K23, K99/R00). This includes brief workshops about specific components of a K grant, individualized support, and key resources/templates, including previously funded K awards.
Target audience: Junior faculty and postdocs interested in submitting an NIH K application
Time commitment: About 5 hours per week
Scholar Selection Process
Junior faculty interested in submitting a K grant should complete the application for the Path 2 K program. This includes their CV and a draft of a specific aims page.
After applying to the Path 2 K program, you will be contacted for a brief orientation with the lead (Mario Schootman, Ph.D.). This meeting is intended to:
- Describe the purpose and structure of the program.
- Assess how the program can help you succeed.
- Have a preliminary discussion regarding your research career and K grant development plans.
Next, the readiness of the candidate will be evaluated by a small group of senior investigators. Candidates will then have a one-on-one “feedback meeting” with the program leader to assess their next steps/readiness to participate in the program.
Program Overview
The program is comprehensive and combines regularly scheduled group sessions and individualized “coaching” one-on-one sessions (biweekly/monthly) with key resources, examples and templates. In addition, scholars keep in contact with the program lead throughout the entire grant development process.
Group sessions include topics such as career development plan, study design, planning and developing a research strategy, study feasibility, human subjects, budget development, biosketch development and mentoring letters. Candidates will have the opportunity to submit their grant applications to a mock study section.
Coaching/one-on-one meetings are individualized to provide dedicated time for the scholar to discuss specific aspects of the application, review drafts, grant strategy, provide advice regarding resources and networking at UAMS. These sessions are scheduled as preferred by the candidate (biweekly or monthly) and continue until grant submission.
In addition, scholars may obtain support and consultation from the biostatistics team to define the study design.
View an outline of the grant writing program.
Grant Writing Program Outline
| Step | Topic | Activities |
| 1 | Preliminary meeting with the applicant following application | Meeting with program lead Mario Schootman, Ph.D., to discuss program scope, overall research ideas, grant strategy, timeframes, mentors, collaborators or other needs to improve the chance of success. |
| 2 | Evaluation of readiness | The applicant’s biosketch and a rough draft of the specific aims page will be evaluated by a group of senior investigators for readiness to participate in the cohort. |
| 3 | Formal acceptance to the program | Feedback from the specific aims workshop panelists and assessment by the program leadership will facilitate the priority order for applicants to access the program and become part of the cohort. To provide adequate support, there is a limited number of openings for each cohort. Applicants who were not prioritized for a specific cohort will be invited to participate in the next cohort. |
| 4 | Orientation | All newly enrolled scholars will participate in the orientation meeting as a group. This will allow the group to get to know each other and help foster networking among scholars who will be going through the process of grant planning, writing and submission together. |
| 5 | Weekly/bi-weekly group meetings with other scholars | Purpose: 1) building professional relationships among the members of the group; 2) provide relevant workshops on specific topics regarding grant development and presented by topic experts (e.g., how to plan and build the research plan; career development plan and structure; budget and justification; biosketches, mentor letters). |
| 6 | 1:1 meetings with each scholar | Progress meetings (as needed) or email checkups; writing coaching, and draft materials. These meetings will be held on a regular schedule based on the scholar’s request (e.g., biweekly or monthly), which will occur until grant submission. |
| 7 | Biostatistics consultation | Scholars will have the opportunity to set up a consultation with the Biostatistics team to discuss study design prior to fully developing their research strategy. It is recommended that this consultation occurs in the early stages of grant preparation after acceptance into the program. |
| 8 | Call with Program Officer | Once there is a solid draft of specific aims and career development plan, we will work with the scholar to identify the most suitable funding opportunity, NIH institute, and program officer contact(s) at NIH. The scholar, along with their primary mentor, will schedule a call with the appropriate program officer. |
| 9 | Project Readiness Panel (PRP) | A panel will be scheduled for a preliminary assessment of the overall proposal 12 weeks prior to grant submission to NIH. After incorporating feedback from the mentors, program lead, and biostatistics consultation, the scholar will be ready to develop a preliminary draft of their research proposal and career development plan. During the PRP, a working draft of the proposal will be reviewed and discussed with a multidisciplinary group. |
| 10 | Mock Study Section | Scholars are strongly encouraged to schedule a Mock Study Section to review their complete drafts six-eight weeks ahead of submission. The program lead will help facilitate this. |
| 11 | 1:1 Post submission critiques, discussion, and next steps | After feedback from reviewers to strategize next steps, including support in response to just-in-time requests or response to reviewers prior to council meeting if requested by NIH. |