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Writing Tools

Edge Reviews

Get an internal reviewof your proposal
Edge Review is a NIH-like internal study section by senior Vanderbilt faculty. Reviews are conducted in advance of NIH cycles for R, K, or F series, or equivalents for basic and clinical investigation.

We offer an internal review by senior faculty of any R, K, or F application, as well as applications for other federal and foundation funding sources. We cannot review applications for VFRS or other K12 or equivalent programs on campus, only extramural awards. Proposals may include first submissions (A0), resubmissions (A1), and renewals for basic, translational and clinical investigation for the corresponding NIH cycle.

VIEW THE 2024 SCHEDULE AND DUE DATES

FILL OUT SURVEY OF INTENT

This service complements, but cannot replace, the input of your mentor, department or division senior faculty members.

All materials are due by 5:00 PM Central Time on the corresponding due date. No late submissions accepted.

You will receive an individual video recording link and reviewers’ written critiques within a few days of the review, giving you time to respond to recommendations before it’s time to submit to the NIH. You are strongly encouraged to watch the video with your mentor. (Note: AIDS reviews are not videotaped.)

mentor notes

Faculty with at least one R01 or equivalent can be a reviewer. Email Rebecca Helton.

Reviewers are assigned no more than three proposals. Meetings are similar to NIH study section.

View info for first-time reviewers.

How it Works
Identify

Identify the NIH submission date and corresponding Vanderbilt due dates (2024).

Complete a Survey of Intent

Complete a Survey of Intent by the corresponding due date. You will need your draft abstract, specific aims page and current NIH biosketch.

Email

Email a SINGLE PDF of below listed Grant Materials by the corresponding due date to rebecca.helton@vumc.org.

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The minimum requirements are called out below. All other documents are strongly encouraged in order to receive the most thorough review.

  1. Cover letter – can be to us or your NIH institute
  2. Project Summary/Abstract ~30 lines
  3. Summary Statement if revision/resubmission
  4. Your response if revision/resubmission
  5. REQUIRED: Specific Aims – single page
  6. REQUIRED: Research Strategy – note/highlight your responses if revision/resubmission
  7. References cited
  8. Facilities and Resources
  9. PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information Attachments (if applicable)
  10. REQUIRED: Key personnel NIH biosketches
  11. Letters of support – can be unsigned drafts
  12. Budget – include what you have
  13. REQUIRED for K awards: Candidate background and career goals, mentor letter, and Responsible Conduct of Research training plan (mentor letter required beginning May 2024)
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  1. Use the NIH format required for your application.
  2. Reference the correct RFA for your application.
  3. Include as much information as you can to help ensure you receive the best possible review. We understand some letters of support and budgets may not be completely ready at the time of review.
QUESTIONS

Email rebecca.helton@vumc.org

upcoming Edge Reviews events [ view all events ]
April 11, 2024 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) VUMC Media Relations | MCN C-2209
Edge Seminar
Communication
Pre/Post Doc
Early career faculty
April 25, 2024 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) VUMC Finance | MCN C-2209
Newman Seminar
Grants & Funding
Early career faculty
RCR
May 2, 2024 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) Tara Helmer & Nan Kennedy | MCN C-2209
Edge Seminar
Newman Seminar
Writing & Publishing
Pre/Post Doc
Early career faculty
RCR
May 6, 2024 | 9:00 am (In-Person) Dr. Todd Edwards | 2525 West End, 6 Floor boardroom
Grant Pacing Workshop
Grants & Funding
Pre/Post Doc
May 14, 2024 | 11:00 am (In-Person) Dr. Julie Bastarache | 2525 West End, Ste 1040
Grant Pacing Workshop
Grants & Funding
Early career faculty
May 15, 2024 | 1:00 pm (In-Person) Dr. Julie Bastarache | 2525 West End, Ste 1040
Grant Pacing Workshop
Grants & Funding
Early career faculty
May 28, 2024 | 11:00 am (In-Person) Dr. Julie Bastarache | 2525 West End, Ste 1040
Grant Pacing Workshop
Grants & Funding
Early career faculty
May 30, 2024 | 10:00 am (In-Person) Dr. Julie Bastarache | 2525 West End, Ste 1040
Grant Pacing Workshop
Grants & Funding
Early career faculty
September 16, 2024 | 9:00 am (In-Person) Dr. Todd Edwards | 2525 West End, 6 Floor boardroom
Grant Pacing Workshop
Grants & Funding
Pre/Post Doc
January 13, 2025 | 9:00 am (In-Person) Dr. Todd Edwards | 2525 West End, 6 Floor boardroom
Grant Pacing Workshop
Grants & Funding
Pre/Post Doc
Your grant reviewed by senior faculty.
Testimonials
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this. It was helpful for me to have this experience and I hope my comments are helpful to the applicants. I have used this resource several times as an applicant and have found it invaluable when writing my own grants.

~ Edge Reviewer

Please express my gratitude to the Edge Reviewers for their time and feedback on my grant. I took their feedback to heart and am proud of the R01 I ultimately submitted after getting some help from a mentor incorporating their comments.

~ Edge Review Participant

I submitted my K99 to the NIH yesterday, so I wanted to reach out and thank you all for the excellent suggestions and critiques provided as part of the Edge for Scholars Study Section. I was able to address most of the critiques, and I really think they strengthened my research proposal. The EFS review was a really great opportunity, and I'm so glad I participated. Thank you all for your time and effort in reviewing for this program.

~ Edge Review Participant

INSTRUCTIONS & DUE DATES
a checklist for successful submission
Success

Instructor

Department
Medicine/Gastroenterology
Award Type
  • K23

Associate Professor

Department
Obstetrics and Gynecology/Maternal Fetal Medicine; Biomedical Informatics
Award Type
  • UG3

Assistant Professor

Department
Medicine/Hematology Oncology
Award Type
  • R56

Research Assistant Professor

Department
Radiology and Radiological Science
Award Type
  • R03



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