- The Guiding Principle in Scientific Writing
Many scientific authors think that effective writing is based on a set of rules, such as proper grammar or word usage. But writing well is not simply about following rules. Writing well is about using a collection of skills and principles to write in a way that engages and inform...
- Know Thy Study Section Members
The top 20% of grants in any given cycle at any study section are largely impossible to rank in terms of objective quality. Assuming paylines won't allow all to get funded—which they won't—funding individual grants in that 20% becomes a lottery, with subjective criteria often...
- Specific Aims Part III – the Hypothesis (part 1)
As Mary Poppins says, let’s start at the very beginning. What is your hypothesis? Since the entire grant revolves around this one statement, it’s important that put some thought into generating a good one. What is a good hypothesis? One that is clear, testable, provable, and supp...
- Flight Tracker: Streamlined Career Development Tracking & Analysis
Career development programs, no matter what stage of the academic career they cater to, face similar challenges. A wide range of information about scholars is available, from demographics, publications, and grant submissions to pilot funding, composition of mentor panel, training...
- Celebrating “The Climb”
To achieve a goal, we must celebrate the small wins to fuel motivation. No matter how small, we must recognize the milestones along the way as a tool to energize the process. It is also equally important to intentionally pause and take time to celebrate often while working to...
- More Friendly Advice: When Rejection Isn’t Really Rejection
When rejection isn’t really rejection – more friendly advice from your NIH grant reviewer
I know you’ve heard it, too – “Not Discussed” means you should toss that idea in the black hole of bad research ideas never to be spoken of again. But how many clever, impactful, inno...
- Fighting Rejection, Reggae-Style: Three Little Reviewers
Thought I’d start this one off with a nod to Bob Marley, since a little reggae always soothes my FL girl soul. When I had my first baby, I realized I knew very few lullabies. So “Three Little Birds” it was. Baby loved it, and so did I.
Fighting Rejection Lesson #1: Don’t worry...
- Dealing with Rejection
Dr. Brené Brown stated that “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them” in her bestselling book, Rising Strong. This excerpt reminds us that when dealing with disappointing moments, such as rejection, we have the power...
- Growing Stronger in the Face of Rejection: Roundup
Rejection is painful for anyone. And yes, it still happens to your mentors and department chairs. Read on for perspectives on managing the emotional fallout and using rejection to improve your work.
What to Do When Your Grant Is Rejected - Tips on handling the emotional fallou...
- Friendly Advice from Your NIH Grant Reviewer
Dear PI,
I am your NIH grant reviewer. Many feel that reviewers are the enemy. But actually, for the next few weeks I want to be your friend. You should want to be mine too. I’m going to explain why.
To get funded you need me to defend your proposal to the review committe...
