260.622.01
Scientific Grant Writing I - Project Development
Course Status
Discontinued
Course Status
Discontinued
Location
East Baltimore
Term
1st Term
Department
Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
In-person
Tuesday, 3:30 - 4:50pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
This course will focus on designing basic science research strategies to impact the understanding of disease mechanisms, which is a critical skill built on knowledge and experience. Starting a basic science PhD thesis project is exciting but daunting, like attempting a jigsaw puzzle without a detailed picture to guide. Cooperative collaboration between accomplished scientific investigators and future leaders provides a model system for building skills in formulating research plans for next generation scientific advancements. Accurate and persuasive communication of the products of these efforts in the form of a concisely written grant proposal scheme is an effective tool to effect change.
Emphasizes tailored guidance in the conceptualization of a new basic science research plan with potential to significantly advance current knowledge. Explores specific strengths of the participant’s chosen field and current state of knowledge to design an innovative research plan that definitively addresses an important question using optimal experimental/computational strategies. Introduces participants to strategic approaches to formulate compelling experimental plans and to effectively express these in short writing assignments. Acquaints participants with best practices and common pitfalls in research design and grant writing. Presents sample grants to help participants gain a reviewer’s perspective through small-group peer review sessions.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- 1. Identify elements of a rigorous and impactful experimental plan that describes proposed research in the context of a grant proposal
- 2. Recognize features of well-conceived and well-written research designs
- 3. Practice skills in writing and evaluating short focused experimental plans
- 4. Create a conceptually sound proposal outline equivalent to the Specific Aims page and 1-2 pages outlining two aims/goals, each containing a detailed experimental plan that together address an important question
- 5. Construct a roadmap for initiating your thesis research project
- 6. Develop preliminary grant writing skills needed to advance to the next level of grant proposal development and refinement of grantsmanship skills
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 40% Participation
- 40% Written Assignment(s)
- 20% Final Project
Enrollment Restriction
Individuals not currently enrolled as PhD or ScM students