Research Funding
NOTE ABOUT FUNDING: It should be kept in mind that if a PDRF or
RA wishes to apply for funding they must have prior approval from their PI.
Although not officially documented, seeking grant money at the PDRF or RA
level is possible. Often the criteria for grant funding are largely granting
authority-specific. For example, both the Susan
G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Congressionally
Directed Medical Research Programs of the Department of Defense offer
postdoctoral research fellowship grants. The emphasis of both these granting
authorities is on tumorigenesis, with the Susan G. Komen awards specifically
targeted toward research in the area of breast biology.
Your visa status directly affects the type of grants for which you are elegible
to apply. The majority of granting authorities require that you are a US citizen
to be elegible for funding. Therefore it is wise to read the elegibility requirements
very carefully to determine whether you are elegible to apply for funding
or not.
The status of RA differs from the status of PDRF position in that it is semi-independent
and is not considered a fellowship. This allows for an RA, with the approval
of the PI, to apply for certain types of grant money.
Fortunately, the Cell Biology department has a mechanism in place where experienced
staff members review a grant and provide constructive criticism and feedback
to improve it. In fact, several junior faculty members at the Project Scientist
level have been successful in securing grant money and are a good source of
information too!
Below you will find some links to websites dealing with
both the grant writing process and sources of grant funding.
Grants administered for PDRFs and RAs
The following are a few examples of grants currently or recently obtained
by the PDRFs and RAs in the Department of Cell Biology;
Ohio
Valley Affiliate, AHA, Fellowship: This grant generally covers two years. Currently the stipend is $40,000 in year 1 and $42,000 in year 2, with
$1,000 per year for travel and $1000 per year for health insurance.
National
AHA, Scientist Development Grant: This grant covers four years. The maximum annual amount is $65,000, with up to $24, 091 per year
for salary/fringe. A minimum amount of $35,000 is to be budgeted for project costs. Typically, the PI spends 50% effort on this
type of grant.
NIH-funded
K01's (Mentored Research Scientist Development Award): Providing
support for an intensive, supervised career development experience in one
of the biomedical, behavioral or clinical sciences leading to research independence.
Candidate must be willing to spend a minimum of 75% effort on the project
during the entire award period. Typically 100% salary is requested plus benefits,
supplies, equipment and technical personnel. Awards are 3, 4 or 5 years depending
on candidate's training requirements at the time of application. It should
be noted that the various Institutes of the NIH impose specific guidelines
for eligibility and target areas.
Links to grant-related information
GrantsNet website
This is an excellent source for information related to what grants are available and the elegibility requirements.
Science NextWave Grant Funding
Provides a variety of links to funding sources and also articles/advice written by people who have successfully obtained their own funding.
Basic Elements of Grant Wiriting
Deals with a broad overview of what things to consider and what actions to take when applying for a grant.
Grant Writing Basic Links
Provides links to a number of useful sites related to grant writing, funding sources and tools.
Web Resources for Postdoctoral Fellows (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
An excellent resource for links to grant funding, sources, writing and tips for postdoctoral fellows.
Grantmanship: What Makes Proposals Work?
A great article dealing with the things that make a successful grant application. An index of other related grant articles can be found here.
Granstmanship (University of Washington)
Tips on how to write a grant and what to consider when applying.