Current Workshop Dates

Now registering for June 2021 grant submission deadlines! (May deadlines for AIDS-related grants.) You must be preparing a career development award (K-equivalent) or R01 grant.

Virtual paced sessions* run February 12 thru May 14.
• eNotebook and pre-recorded videos for self-paced instruction
• peer accountability groups
• face-to-face virtual workshops for topical discussion and open forum
• access to Edge for Scholars at Vanderbilt resources

Email Adrienne Babcock to register by January 29.
*dates subject to change

What’s a Grant Pacing Workshop?

Break It Down to Build It Better is a practical series of workshops and peer accountability meetings designed to pace attendees smoothly to the completion of a grant. Topics covered include making a customized grant preparation timeline, using task lists to ensure continuous momentum, constructing flow diagrams, navigating Vanderbilt’s submission process, and maximizing assistance from mentors, staff, and students.

Break it Down to Build it Better has been converted to a virtual format, complete with eNotebook, accompanying pre-recorded videos, and a series of virtual face-to-face sessions to answer questions, troubleshoot problems, and keep steady progress on your proposal. Between face-to-face sessions, you will meet with your peer accountability groups on a regular basis, decided by each group. Dr. Ashley Hood and Edge for Scholars at Vanderbilt resources will be available to you.

You must be submitting a grant in the associated cycle to participate and must commit to the majority of the group meetings. Up to 16 individuals are able to participate in each series of workshops. The first workshop is typically held four-five months prior to the intended major NIH grant submission deadline.

January 29

February 12

June 5 (cycle 2)

May 28

June 11

October 5 (cycle 3)

October 1

October 15

February 5 (cycle 1)

A registration email with exact workshop dates typically goes out one month before the first workshop of a series. Email Adrienne Babcock to be placed on the distribution list.

Materials for Pacing a K or R01 Award

Presentations

• K Awards Session 1 (JAN 2020)
• K Awards Session 2 (FEB 2020)
• R Awards Session 1 (JAN 2020)
• R Awards Session 2 (FEB 2020)

Checklists

• Checklist for Letters of Institutional Support (K)
• Checklist for Mentor Letters (K)
• Checklist for Biosketches and Letters of Support
• Checklist for Career Development Plans (K)
• Budget Checklist (R01)
• Proposal Components (K)
• Proposal Components (R01)
• Proposal Preparation Approach Checklist (R01)

Suggested Activities

• Suggested Activities for K Award Timelines
• Suggested Activities for R Award Timelines

Examples

• Examples of Phrases from Letters of Institutional Support
• Examples of Mentor Activities

Other

• Goals versus Objectives
• Matrix (K) (shows relationship between/among goals, objectives, activities, mentors, consultants, and collaborators)
• Roles and Responsibility Assignment Matrix (R01)
• 2018 NIH updated resources v4
• Long Term Goals
• Short Term Goals
• Powerful Aims Grid
• Flow Diagram Symbols
• Personnel Planning
• Detailed Budget Justification
• Excel Timeline Template
• Example of a Trello timeline
• Vanderbilt Institutional Submission Process
• Edge Reviews Link
• Study Section Scoring System and Procedure
• Link to NIH’s “Open Mike” Blog

Writing, Editorial, Personal, and Other Types of Assistance

• Medical Editors
• “No Help? You Can Still Delegate. Here’s How.” – Getting the most out of virtual assistance.
• Upwork and Fiverr– Lets you post task or project descriptions, receive bids, and choose the one you like best.  Good for editorial jobs and writing help.
• Fancy Hands – Describe your task, let Fancy Hands choose someone for you.
• Zirtual and RedButler – Assign you a dedicated assistant for the number of hours you choose. You then assign tasks directly during that time.
• “Rules of Thumb for Writing Research Articles” by Tomislav Hengl and Michael Gould
• “The Science of Scientific Writing” by George D. Gopen and Judith A. Swan

Office of Clinical & Translational Career Development OCTSD