Program Goals
- Understand how to write and assemble a competitive grant application, specifically NIH K/R grants.
- Learn the skills and attributes of a competent independent researcher.
- Learn how to project manage milestones across the years of a K grant to prepare to apply for independent funding.
- Understand the breadth of available funding opportunities and how to locate and foster relationships with different funding agencies.
The Grant Review and Support Program (GRASP) is a multi-year program that guides junior investigators who have already obtained a career development award to understand the rules of engagement and the grant writing process, gain new skills, and to ultimately write competitive grant applications to achieve research independence.
GRASP will begin with an orientation workshop that will welcome participants into the program, review program tools and longitudinal support, discuss skills and attributes of a competent independent researcher, and provide an overview of the NIH grant review process. Participants will also attend sessions on how to diversify their funding portfolios and an in-depth training on R01-specific grant-writing techniques.
Throughout the duration of their career development award, participants will receive ongoing grant preparation support and guidance from the GRASP team. Fundamental to the program is the belief that to be successful, one must adequately project manage their grant applications. Therefore, each participant is provided a customized work plan that outlines yearly tasks that should be completed in order to successfully apply for NIH K or R funding. Participants are then supported quarterly by GRASP Mentors, successful near-peer GRASP alumni, in the form of individualized feedback through their work plan. In addition to this longitudinal support, GRASP provides supplemental modules, targeted and relevant discussions related to grant preparation, as well as one-on-one faculty and staff meetings. Armed with the knowledge, tools and support provided by GRASP, participants will be better prepared to establish independent research careers, funded by a variety of different grants.
Session dates
The GRASP orientation workshop will be held virtually via Zoom this fall. The workshop will be broken down into three, two to three hour, remote learning sessions.
September 6, 2023 | 9:00am-12:00pm EST
September 13, 2023 | 9:00am-12:00pm EST
September 20, 2023 | 9:00am-12:00pm EST
Following the fall sessions, there will be a required four-part grant writing module in the spring of 2024. The module will be broken down into four, two to three hour, remote learning sessions via Zoom.
March 5, 2024 | 9:00-11:30am EST
March 12, 2024 | 9:00-11:30am EST
March 19, 2024 | 9:00-11:30am EST
March 26, 2024 | 9:00-11:30am EST
Time commitment
- Participate in a three-part orientation workshop and four-part grant writing module (see session dates for more details).
- Utilize a monthly online work plan throughout the duration of one’s K grant (average time spent updating tool: one hour per month).
- Participate in specific aims page review workshops (average duration: three hours) and networking sessions (average duration: three hours), as desired and relevant.
- Meet with the program committee for one-on-one support (average meeting: one hour), as desired and relevant.
Audience
Grant-funded junior investigators aiming to improve their chances of obtaining independent research funding with the use of project management tools and long-term grant-writing guidance.
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.
Eligibility
Investigators in the first year of a four- or five-year NIH K grant (such as a K23, K08, K07, K01, or K25) 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). Investigators must also be from one of the Harvard-affiliated hospitals.
Learn More
Navigate the grant application process using the Grant Writing Tips.
Accreditation statement
Please note: Harvard Catalyst Education Program’s policy requires full attendance and the completion of all activity surveys to be eligible for CME credit; no partial credit is allowed.
The Harvard Catalyst Education Program is accredited by the Massachusetts Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Apply
The application will require an endorsement from a primary mentor supporting the applicant’s participation in this longitudinal program. Applications are due July 17, 2023.