How Do I Craft a Strong Application?
By Jason Chan And Sydella Blatch
From the NIGMS Feedback Loop Blog – National Institute of General Medical Sciences: https://loop.nigms.nih.gov/2023/12/how-do-i-craft-a-strong-application/
Timing and Planning: To craft a strong application, reflect on the writing process and how it fits your schedule. It takes time to write, collaborate, get feedback, revise, proofread, and finalize an entire application. Thus, it’s important to understand timelines. First, be aware of all deadlines: the NIH grant application deadline, Internal organization deadlines, Letter deadlines, and any Self-imposed deadlines.
Consider how you write best. Blocking out time on your calendar might help, as could forming a writing group to help you stay accountable, maintain a schedule, and share experiences.
Finding Feedback Support: Forming a feedback team of people who support your success can be beneficial to your process. A feedback team can help you polish ideas, strengthen specific areas in your proposal, and edit and proofread drafts. Build a multifaceted feedback team of subject matter experts and non-experts. Make sure some people can read multiple drafts. Seeking input throughout the entire writing process can help to ensure the feedback is meaningful and actionable.
Writing With Your Reviewers in Mind: Scientific review officers (SROs) assemble a review panel that will score your application, and this panel might span a wide range of scientific knowledge, academic backgrounds, and expertise. SROs instruct reviewers to use the published review criteria in the NOFO to guide their critiques, so always consider the NOFO guidance carefully when writing.
One reviewer is assigned multiple applications. Panelists are just like you; they have their own research priorities, teaching commitments, and personal considerations. Therefore, a well-written, well-planned application that emphasizes your points clearly is more likely to resonate with a reviewer.
Resources: NIGMS Webinar Series
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