How to Structure the “Approach” Section of a Grant Application (Basic Science) by Scott Filler, PhD
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The document outlines a structured approach for presenting research proposals, focusing on preliminary data, specific aims, and experimental methods. It highlights the importance of addressing potential pitfalls, ensuring scientific rigor, and providing clear, compelling reasoning for the proposed work. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of future directions and the broader impact of the research findings.
How to Structure the “Approach” Section of a Grant Application (Basic Science) by Scott Filler, PhD
- 1. Approach (Basic Science) Scott G. Filler, M.D. Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- 2. Approach--Overall Layout • Preliminary data • Aim 1 o Rationale and overall approach o Experimental methods o Anticipated results o Alternative outcomes (potential pitfalls) o Future directions • Aim 2 o Rationale and overall approach o Experimental methods o Anticipated results o Alternative outcomes (potential pitfalls) o Future directions
- 3. Approach--Alternate Layout • Aim 1 o Preliminary data o Rationale and overall approach o Experimental methods o Anticipated results o Alternative outcomes (potential pitfalls) o Future directions • Aim 2 o Preliminary data o Rationale and overall approach o Experimental methods o Anticipated results o Alternative outcomes (potential pitfalls) o Future directions
- 4. Preliminary Data • Present compelling preliminary data o Supports PREMISE of the work o Demonstrates feasibility o Sparks interest, but leaves reviewer wanting to learn more • Potential pitfalls in prelim data o Clear weaknesses o Supports alternative hypothesis
- 5. Approach • Describe overall approach and the controls • Need power calculations for animal studies o Many details of animal studies can be move to Vertebrate Animals section • Address sex as a biological variable
- 6. Approach • Rigor and Transparency o Strong scientific premise (Significance) o Scientific rigor (Approach) • Blinding, sample size, reducing bias o Consideration of relevant biological variables, such as sex (Approach) • Include animals of both sexes if feasible o Authentication of key biological and/or chemical resources (separate page)
- 7. Approach • Potential pitfalls o One aim depend on another * o Excessive detail • Detracts from overall message • Target for criticism o Densely written prose “If reading a grant gives the reviewer a headache, that grant is unlikely to receive a good score”
- 8. Anticipated Results and Potential Pitfalls • What do you think the results will be? • Creativity and flexible thinking very important • Interesting alternative outcomes • What if hypothesis is not supported? • Never present a potential pitfall for which you don’t have a good solution
- 9. Future Directions • Where is your research going? • What will be its impact? • How can the specific information learn be applied to a broader question?