Grant Review and Support Program (GRASP)

The Grant Review and Support Program (GRASP) is a longitudinal program that provides career development award recipients grant-related guidance and support throughout the duration of their award so that they can successfully apply for independent research funding (NIH R‑level or comparable non‑NIH mechanisms.) The curriculum is focused on providing participants with grant-writing skills, project management tools/strategies, and mentorship.

Since the program’s launch in July 2011, more than 700 participants have enrolled and 55% of GRASP participants have been successful in obtaining R01 or equivalent funding, as compared to the current NIH success rate of 21.4%.  Armed with the knowledge, tools, and longitudinal support provided by GRASP, participants have gone on to establish independent research careers, funded by diverse grant sources.

The program begins with a welcome orientation workshop that provides an overview of GRASP, including a review of tools and the types of longitudinal support offered through the program. Also covered are the skills and attributes of a competent independent researcher and an overview of the NIH grant review process. During the program, participants also attend sessions that discuss how to diversify their funding portfolios and receive in-depth training on NIH R01-specific grant-writing techniques.

During Years 1–2 of GRASP, participants are assigned to small mentoring groups, each led by a GRASP mentor. Groups meet monthly to review work plans, discuss early‑stage ideas, and address challenges related to preparing for independent funding.

Participants in Years 3–5 of GRASP will have the option to attend quarterly, discussion‑based webinars on topics most relevant to advanced stages of grant preparation.

Throughout the duration of their career development award, participants receive ongoing support, which includes:

• A customized work plan that outlines annual tasks required to acquire NIH R funding
• Monthly meetings with a GRASP mentor and small group of peers (years 1-2 of GRASP)
• The opportunity to attend quarterly, discussion-based webinars on hot topics (years 3-5 of GRASP)
• Targeted discussions related to grant preparation
• One-on-one faculty and staff meetings

Session dates

The GRASP orientation workshop will be held virtually via Zoom this fall. The workshop will be broken down into three, 2-3 hour, remote learning sessions (see dates below).

• September 16, 2026 | 9:00am-12:00pm EST
• September 23, 2026 | 9:00am-12:00pm EST
• September 30, 2026 | 9:00am-12:00pm EST

Following the fall sessions, there will be a virtual three-part nuts-and-bolts grant writing module in the spring of 2027. The module will be broken down into three, 2-3 hour, remote learning sessions via Zoom.

• March 9, 2027 | 9:00am-12:00pm EST
• March 16, 2027 | 9:00am-12:00pm EST
• March 23, 2027 | 9:00am-12:00pm EST

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a Harvard-affiliated junior faculty clinician/translational-investigator
• Be a recipient of a 4- or 5-year career development award (typically a NIH K grant such as a K23, K08, K07, K01, K25, K99 or equivalent Career Development Award from a grant-funding organization (such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, or U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs))
• Be in the first or second year of their grant
• Agree to actively participate in the mandatory components of the program, including monthly meetings with a mentoring group
• Receive an endorsement from a primary mentor supporting their participation in the program

Eligible investigators are required to complete a program application; however, all participants are accepted if they meet the eligibility requirements.  Please find information about the current GRASP participant cohort application cycle, including important dates, under the ‘Next Cohort Application Cycle’ section below.

Harvard Catalyst Education is dedicated to addressing equity and intersectionality in medicine. We believe that the research community is strengthened by understanding how a number of factors including gender identity, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, culture, religion, national origin, language, disability, and age shape the environment in which we live and work, affect each of our personal identities, and impacts all areas of human health.

We know that individual differences enrich our understanding of one another and of the world around us, creating a better learning environment. GRASP welcomes—and celebrates— the perspectives of all backgrounds, and those who are at the intersections of different identities. Furthermore, we aim to create a program environment that supports a diversity of thoughts, perspectives and experiences.

Harvard Catalyst K12 program participation

Recipients of Harvard Catalyst’s K12Award are required to participate in GRASP and will be automatically enrolled in the program. Like other GRASP participants, K12 receipts are required to participate in the mandatory components of the program and may also participate in the optional components. The program provides support for either award (career development or independent research) participants intend to apply for.

Time commitment

Accepted participants are eligible to remain in the program throughout the duration of their career development award. They are required to participate in certain components of the program, while other components are optional. Therefore, the time commitment can vary between participants.

Mandatory components:

• Participating in the GRASP orientation workshop
• Attending monthly small-group mentoring meetings for the first two years of the program
• Completing a mentor/mentee expectations form
• Participating in grant-writing courses

Optional components:

• Participating in specific aims page critique modules
• Participating in ‘hot topic’ modules
• Utilizing faculty office hours
• Utilizing staff office hours