Advanced topics in Microbial and Molecular Genetics:
Writing a Preliminary Exam and Grant Proposal
16:681:601 Fall 2008

Thurs 3:00 -5:00 PM in Waksman Rm 311

Course Instructor
Andrew Vershon - Waksman Institute,


Description: This course will provide guidance and practice in writing a biological research grant proposal. Topics include funding agencies, types of grants, forms, budgets, proposal format and the review process.  Students will be required to write and critique research proposals.  This course may serve as a good start for students to begin writing their research proposal as a part of their oral preliminary exam that is required by their Graduate Program. Some of the material on this web site is intended only for students registered in the course and is not for general public use. Access to some of the links is therefore password protected. The material on these pages is provided for educational purposes only. Unauthorized use of this material is prohibited.

Note: Your research advisor will have to read your proposal twice during the semester. Please check with them first before signing up for the course to make sure they have the time to spend on it.

Week
Date
Topic
1
September 4

Introductions, Course Organization, Non-Disclosure Agreement, Academic Integrity,
Specific Aims: NIH Tutorial, Checklist,
Class Handouts: Notes.doc / Figures.ppt / Aims Examples

2
September 11

Review examples of Specfic Aims
Background and Significance: NIH Tutorial, Checklist,
Class Handouts: Notes.doc / Figures.ppt / Grant Examples / Grant Outline.doc

3
September 18

Due: Proposal Outline and Specific Aims  (.5-1 page)
Preliminary Results/Progress Report- NIH Tutorial, Checklist,
Research Design and Methods - NIH Tutorial, Checklist,
Class Handouts: Notes.doc, Figures.ppt

4
September 25

Writing Basics -
References - Endnote, NIH Tutorial, Checklist
Text Layout – Formatting, figures
Examples of Prelim Proposals: Proposal #1, Proposal #2; Proposal #3,
Class Handouts: Notes.doc, Figures.ppt

5
October 2

Forms-

NIH PHS398 (R01)
Combined NIH PHS 398 Forms (doc)
Cover page (Waksman/RU)
NIH PHS 398 Instructions (doc)
Rutgers University Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP)
Rates
Budget Template

Instructions
Endorsement Form(pdf) Certification Page
Human subjects
Animals
Recombinant DNA
Hazardous Materials

Due: Revised Aims, Background, Significance and Preliminary Results (3-5 pages)

6 October 9 Grant Funding Search: Lecture Figures (Figures.ppt)
Chaser - RU Resource Center for Graduate Student External Support
CRISP
- NIH Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects
ORSP
- RU Resource Center Internal Funding Support
7
October 16

Due: Research Design and Methods (5-7 pages)
Presenting a Research Seminar (Notes.doc) (Figures.ppt)

8
October 23

Discussion of Proposals

9
October 30

Research Presentations - Powerpoint Files due by 11:00 AM by e-mail
Order:

10
November 6

Research Presentations - Powerpoint Files due by 11:00 AM by e-mail
Order:

11
November 13 (No Class)


12
November 20

Research Presentations - Powerpoint Files due by 11:00 AM by e-mail
Order:


  November 25 (No Class) Due: Second Draft  of Complete Proposal
e-mail final version is due by 2:00 PM

13

December 4 (No Class)



  December 10 Proposal Reviews are Due by 10:00 AM by e-mail.
14
December 12- 13

Individual Review Meetings. Waksman Rm 233

Student Time
  11:00
  11:30
  12:00
  12:30
 
1:00
 
1:30
 
2:00
 
2:30
 
3:00
 
3:30
 
4:00
 
4:30

 

Suggested Reading:  

Grant Applications Writers Handbook, 4th Ed. by Liane, Reif-Lehrerr, Jones & Barlett Publishers (2005).
The Elements of Style 4th Ed. by Strunk, White & Angell, Longman Publishers (2000)

On Writing Well (30th Anniversary Ed) William Zinsser, Collins Publishers (2006)
The Craft of Scientific Presentations Michael Alley, Springer Publishers (2005)
Writing readable prose: When planning a scientific manuscript, following a few simple rules has a large impact. Amin S Bredan & Frans van Roy, (2006) EMBO Reports, 7: 846-849

Usefull Links for Grant Applications:

NIH PHS 398 (R01 Application)
NIH Ruth L Kirschstein National Research Service Award PHS 416-1
(doc) (pdf) (Instructions)
NIH F31 Program Announcement
NSF Graduate Research Fellowhship
Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships
Grant Application and Review Process: Grant Application Basics NIH Tutorial, Checklists
Oral Preliminary Exam Process (MMG Program)
R01 Sample (NIH)
Writting a Grant Tutorial, (NIH Tutorial)


ORSP - Funding Database
NIH Funding Database
Chaser– Resource Center for Graduate Student External Support
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Graduate Programs in Molecular Biosciences
Graduate Program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Created 8/13/05 Last updated 8/27/08