Grant Writing Academy
We coach graduate and postdoctoral trainees in developing and articulating research strategies to tackle important scientific questions.
We help you STEP into success with grant writing by:
- Supporting you in creating proposals and productive writing practice
- Training you to write and edit efficiently
- Empowering you to elicit and provide effective feedback
- Providing you with coaching, editing and review of proposals and scientific writings
Why you should submit a proposal:
- Writing rigorously clarifies and deepens your thinking
- Articulating research priorities increases productivity and impact
- Developing and communicating ideas is critical in all career paths
- Eliciting and providing feedback strengthens mentoring relationships
- Reviewing feedback improves your writing
- Securing funding is an accomplishment and has positive career benefits
Please see below for grant writing workshops and trainings. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Overview of our 2015 offerings
-
July 29th, 9:30-11:30am
(2 hours) -
July 29th, 2:00-4:00pm
(2 hours) -
August 5th, 8:30-3:00pm
(All day) -
August 12th to September 17th
(2 hour workshops) -
September 21st to
November 20th
(Autumn Course, 9 weeks)
* The Science and Art of Grant Writing: Developing a Research Strategy Symposium is a prerequisite
FAQs about the 2015 offerings
I attended last year's Grant Writing Academy all-day seminar (July 23, 2014), should I still attend this year?
Yes. This year's all-day seminar (Aug. 5, 2015; The Science and Art of Grant Writing: Developing a Research Strategy) will provide tips for developing your research strategy as well as articulating your ideas. We have an exciting line up of dynamic presenters who will share insights about the grant writing and review process. Speakers include: Russ Altman (Optimizing Your Ideas); John Boothroyd (Nuts & Bolts of Writing a Research Strategy); Crystal Botham (Articulating Your Research Ideas in 1-page); Nobel Laureate Michael Levitt (Tips for Successful Proposals); Kristin Sainani (Keeping Your Reviewer Engaged with Effective Writing) and a panel discussion of NIH Fellowship and K Award study section members moderated by Miriam Goodman. Participating in this seminar is a prerequisite for the Grant Writing Academy Autumn 2015 course and Specific Aims Review Workshops. If you are writing a NIH F Fellowship or K Award please also attend our July 29 seminars: How to Write a Successful NIH Individual NRSA Fellowship and How to Write a Successful NIH Career Development Award.
I want to participate in the Grant Writing Academy Autumn 2015 course, should I also attend The Science and Art of Grant Writing: Developing a Research Strategy?
Yes, participation in The Science and Art of Grant Writing: Developing a Research Strategy is a prerequisite for the Grant Writing Academy Autumn 2015 course. If you are writing a NIH F Fellowship or K Award please also attend our July 29 seminars: How to Write a Successful NIH Individual NRSA Fellowship or How to Write a Successful NIH Career Development Award.
Can I register for The Science and Art of Grant Writing: Developing a Research Strategy if I am not planning on participating in the Grant Writing Academy Autumn 2015 Course?
Yes, all postdocs and graduate students are invited to attend in The Science and Art of Grant Writing: Developing a Research Strategy. Your research and training will benefit from attending this seminar even if you are not planning a proposal soon because writing rigorously helps articulate your research priorities, improves your productivity and impact, and clarifies and deepens your independent research. Attending this seminar will open other doors as well; for example you will be able to participate in our Specific Aims Review Workshops. Of course, if you are writing a fellowship or career development award in the next 6-8 months we encourage you to participate in the Grant Writing Academy Autumn 2015 course. Our course provides a unique opportunity to become part of a supportive writing community, and you will receive encouragement and instruction from our trained Grant Coaches. The course will assist you in developing your proposal through guided exercises with an emphasis on establishing writing practice, in-class peer review and focused faculty feedback.
I need feedback on my 1-page Specific Aims draft. Does the Grant Writing Academy provide coaching before the start of the Grant Writing Academy Autumn 2015 course?
Yes we are excited to offer the new Specific Aims Review Workshops before the start of the Grant Writing Academy Autumn 2015 course. At these workshops you will solicit and provide feedback on one-page Specific Aims, which will improve the clarity of your research strategy for tackling important scientific questions. Please sign up to participate because Grant Writing Academy Autumn 2015 course participants are expected to bring a draft of their Specific Aims (1 page) to the first class.
I need help finding fellowships and career development awards opportunities.
On July 29, 2015 we are offering two seminars focused on NIH's F fellowships (F30, F31, F32) and career development awards (K Awards). Dr. Mark Roltsch, a former NHLBI Program Officer and Scientific Review Officer, will provide strategies to optimize funding chances and tips for avoiding common pitfalls. Regardless of whether you will apply to the NIH fellowships or career development awards, we strongly encourage you to also explore other opportunities for fellowships and career development awards. To do this, search the Stanford Research Management Group's comprehensive list of funding opportunities for Graduate Students and Postdocs. These funding opportunity lists include links to sponsor webpages, citizenship requirements, deadlines, and more. Both of these websites also provide links to Stanford-specific funding opportunities for Graduate Students and Postdocs. Additional resources for Graduate Students are also found on the Graduate Fellowships page.
I have other questions not answered here.
Please email us at GrantWritingAcademy@stanford.edu. We are here to support you in creating successful proposals and productive writing practices.
Grant Writing Academy's 2015 Offerings
How to Write a Successful NIH Individual NRSA Fellowship
F30, F31, or F32 — Wednesday, July 29, 2015; 9:30 - 11:30 am
This workshop is for pre- and postdoctoral trainees who are interested in preparing an application for an individual NRSA Fellowship (F Awards). Dr. Mark Roltsch, a former NHLBI Program Officer and Scientific Review Officer, will provide clear direction as to what is needed to write a successful F fellowship and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Instructor: Mark H. Roltsch, PhD, former NIH Scientific Review Officer and Program Director, and current Executive Director of the Office of Academic Research and Sponsored Project at St Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas.
Registration closed.
How to Write a Successful NIH Career Development Award
K Award — Wednesday, July 29, 2015; 2:00 - 4:00 pm
This workshop will enable postdocs and young investigators to understand the different K award grant mechanisms and will provide strategies to optimize funding probability. This seminar is timely for trainees interested in submitting an application and for potential mentors. Dr. Mark Roltsch, a former NHLBI Program Officer and Scientific Review Officer, will share his insight from years of career development awards review and program management as well as his knowledge of the internal workings of NIH grants for young investigators to enhance their knowledge of what is needed to write a successful career development grant and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Instructor: Mark H. Roltsch, PhD, former NIH Scientific Review Officer and Program Director, and current Executive Director of the Office of Academic Research and Sponsored Project at St Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas.
Registration closed.
The Science and Art of Grant Writing: Developing a Research Strategy
Wednesday, August 5, 2015; 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
This interactive seminar addresses both practical and conceptual aspects of the proposal writing process. Participants will learn how to develop research strategies to tackle important scientific questions and gain tips for writing more effective proposals. Dynamic presenters will share insights about the grant writing and review process. Highlighted speakers include Russ Altman, John Boothroyd, Nobel Laureate Michael Levitt, Kristin Sainani, and a panel discussion of NIH Fellowship and K Award study section members moderated by Miriam Goodman.
*Please note, attendance at The Science and Art of Grant Writing: Developing a Research Strategy is a prerequisite for the Grant Writing Academy Autumn 2015 Course.
Registration closed.
Specific Aims Review Workshops
2-hour workshops available August 12 to September 17, 2015
Need feedback on your Specific Aims? Come to a 2-hour Specific Aims Review Workshop to receive feedback on your one-page Specific Aims document. Our approach to eliciting feedback will help you clarify and deepen your thinking. Plus providing feedback to your peers will improve your writing.
You must bring 4 copies of a draft of your Specific Aims (1 page) to the workshop. An early draft is OK!
*Please note, attendance at The Science and Art of Grant Writing: Developing a Research Strategy is a prerequisite for participating in the Specific Aims Review Workshops. Participants are expected to bring a draft of his/her Specific Aims (1 page) to the workshop.
Writing Compelling Fellowships and Career Development Awards
Autumn Course — BIOS 242 — Weekly 2-hour meetings September 21 to November 20, 2015
Participants develop proposals through guided exercises with an emphasis on establishing writing practice, in-class peer review and focused faculty feedback.
Comments from previous participants:
"The schedule forced me to write"
"One of the best things... I wasn't the only one going through the grant writing process"
"This course helped improve the quality of my proposal"
"Thanks to you... I actually got a K99 on the first round. Your [course] was invaluable!"
*Please note, attendance at The Science and Art of Grant Writing: Developing a Research Strategy is a prerequisite for the Grant Writing Academy Autumn 2015 Course. Participants are expected to bring a draft of his/her Specific Aims (1 page) to the first class.
Registration closed
Other Opportunities and Resources
Weekly 9/2 to 10/26; Also available on Youtube
This course teaches scientists to become more effective writers, using practical examples and exercises. Topics include: principles of good writing, tricks for writing faster and with less anxiety, the format of a scientific manuscript, and issues in publication and peer review. In the first four weeks, we will review principles of effective writing, examples of good and bad writing, and tips for making the writing process easier. In the second four weeks, we will examine issues specific to scientific writing, including: authorship, peer review, the format of an original manuscript, and communicating science for lay audiences. Course registration.
Specific Aims Mini Course - BIOS 243
Early 2016
Learn techniques for developing a one-page executive summary of your research plan, e.g. Specific Aims page for a fellowship or career development award. The lectures also provide tips for deciphering program announcements and review criteria, as well as strategies for career development and research plan sections. Participants work in two small group sessions, led by a trained Grant Coach, and receive feedback focused in generating concise and clear aims that are specific, measurable and realistic.
NRSA Computer Lab Training Sessions
Required training for all pre-doctoral and postdoctoral fellows who are submitting NIH NRSA F series applications.
K Award-Grants.gov Computer Lab Training Sessions
Required training for all postdoctoral fellows and optional for Instructors and faculty who are submitting NIH K series applications.
Postdoctoral Funding Opportunities
A comprehensive list of postdoctoral funding opportunities that can be searched by deadline or research topic. Download list here.
Graduate Funding Opportunities
A comprehensive list of graduate funding opportunities that can be searched by deadline or research topic. Download list here.
Stanford Policy
Stanford policy requires that all applications for outside Pre-Doctoral & Postdoctoral Fellowships must be routed through your Institutional Representative at least 5 working days prior to the sponsor's deadline. Please see the Research Management Group's website for guidelines and proposal checklists.
Quick links
Graduate Fellowships
A collection of grant and fellowship applications and resources. Learn More
