How (not) to write grants!

It is grant writing season again in the Frohlich Lab. I thought I share with you how things are coming along and what I have learned about grant writing over the last few years. Beginning of a new series of posts!

Let's start with the clear mistakes I have made such that you can avoid them!

• There were grant submissions were I thought I was too busy and that it was too late to speak with the NIH program official (PO). Big mistake! So far, I have always received great advice and guidance. Not having a conversation about your aims page with the PO can cause really bad outcomes. Let's say like getting the grant not even to review since it gets classified as a clinical trial (by mistake). Purely hypothetical!
• Write grants last minute. We are all procrastinators (hey - why would you be reading this blog post!) and I myself find it difficult to get started. However, I can also tell you that the grants that I wrote last minute were never great. Instead, start small, perhaps with your specific aims page (or equivalent for non-NIH grants).
• Not ask for input. I admit it is not always easy to have other people tell you that they do not like your grant idea or the way to explain your idea. What I have learned is that I am very privileged that I have collaborators and lab members that do exactly that. All our truly successful grant submissions were born through an intense discussion process that was focused on making it better instead of flattering each other. Worth it - ask others for their honest opinion.
• Not read the request for applications (RFAs). Most of those have very specific language of what the funding institute(s) are looking for. It often is mostly about choice of word and story telling. Do not miss out on that competitive advantage by reading the RFA over and over again.

I hope your own grant writing is going well and I wish you all the best in your endeavors.

Take care,

​Flavio