Grant Workshops

Get yoUr gRant fUnded (GURU)

Get yoUr gRant fUnded (GURU) is an intensive grant writing course for College of Medicine faculty, focused on NIH R01 or equivalent types of applications. This course will be taught by Philip Kern, MD, and the UK Proposal Development Office. The program will include a mixture of class work, tutorials, and personal assistance with the hope that the participant could submit a grant and then submit a revision if the first submission is not funded.  There will be writing accountability milestones throughout the course to encourage progress and growth. The course is designed for in-person attendance. 

To be eligible to participate, you must be MD/DO/PhD faculty in the College of Medicine, have a sincere interest in obtaining NIH grant funding, and be ready to write during the course. This would typically include someone with some history of research in the past or with a novel idea that would be suitable for an investigator-initiated grant.

Candidates for the course must have adequate protected time to pursue a grant, actively participate in the course, and devote time to writing, meeting their mentors, and perform other grant related activities.  Participants will be selected based on eligibility, readiness to write (as evidenced by abstract or specific aims submitted during registration), and on a first come, first served basis. 

Registration will close Sept. 4, 2024 and participants will be notified of acceptance into the program on Sept. 11, 2024. Questions regarding the course can be directed to Kelly Meulendyke (kelly.meulendyke@uky.edu).

GURU Registration and Details

If you are interested in this program, please register for this course by filling out the following information: GURU Registration

Session 1: Overview of the NIH Grant Process and Expectations (Wed., Sept. 18, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn about the NIH submission process, how NIH grants are scored, and how to select appropriate NIH study sections.
  • Introduction to the Specific Aims page.
  • Homework:  Write a draft Specific Aims page.

Session 2: Specific Aims (Wed., Sept. 25, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn features of an impactful Specific Aims page.
  • Introduction to Significance and Innovation.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Specific Aims.
  • Homework:  Start writing Significance and Innovation sections.

Session 3: Significance and Innovation (Wed. Oct. 16, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn to craft the Significance and Innovation sections of the Research Strategy.
  • Bring questions to class.  Describe your interactions with your mentor(s).
  • Introduction to the Approach section.
  • Homework: Refine and improve your Significance and Innovation sections.
  • Homework:  Start writing Approach section.

Session 4: Approach (Wed., Oct. 30, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Learn how to write a compelling Approach section.
  • The previous class’s homework will be reviewed. Bring questions and issues to class.  Be prepared to share your issues and problems in writing.
  • Homework: Write and/or improve Approach section.

Session 5: Course Wrap-up (Wed., Nov. 20, 2-4 p.m.)

  • Putting the pieces together.
  • What do you put in the budget and budget justification?