The Professional Development (PD) Core’s Advance to Funding (ATF) Program is a pre-submission mock grant review process for faculty who are submitting their R-type application to the NIH (or other Federal funding agencies). The ATF Program allows MW CTR-IN faculty to submit their R-type grant proposals for a mock review and for expert editing prior to grant submission.

For more information, please contact ATF Program Director and PD Core Associate Director, Ruben Dagda, PhD at Rdagda@med.unr.edu.

Users of this program will obtain insight into the grant review process and receive help to improve the science and format of their applications, thereby increasing their chances for extramural funding. The ATF Program runs on an open, continuous submission cycle year-round.

The ATF Program requires internal submission of planned R application 2 months ahead of NIH deadlines. It is strongly recommended that applicants submit a draft of the proposal within this timeframe to allow sufficient time for reviewers to evaluate the proposal and participate in a mock study section review panel. Up to 3 ATF reviewers will discuss the applications during a teleconference and provide verbal and written feedback to the applicant. If applicable, it is encouraged that PIs and their mentor(s) attend the tele-conferenced mock-study section.

The ATF Program also will consider applications 4-5 weeks before NIH deadlines. However, these applications will only receive an expedited internal review without a mock study section review panel.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must be planning to submit an R-type application (new or revised) or equivalent. Acceptable grant types include R01, R03, R21, VA Merit, or subspecialty-type research applications (e.g. ADA, AHA, JDF, ATA). Candidates must have a faculty appointment at any of the 12 MW CTR-IN institutions.

Who is not eligible?

Candidates with significant extramural funding such as principal investigators with more than 2 NIH research projects (R01), FIRST Awards (R29), sub-projects of program projects (P01), center grants (P50), or those without a faculty appointment at one of the 12 MW CTR-IN institutions. Early Stage Investigator(s) (ESI) are highly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Please have the following information available and submit the LOI online as a Word document: Name, position, department, title of application, type of application (R01, R21 etc), NIH Institute (or name of other funding agency), Abstract, Specific Aims page, and suggested reviewers if any.

Please choose from the following Primary type of research definitions and include with your LOI and
application (reference: Harvard Catalyst):

• T1- Findings from basic research are tested for clinical effect and/or applicability. T1 research yields
  knowledge about human physiology and the potential for intervention.
• T2 – Investigators test new interventions under controlled environments to form the basis for clinical application and evidence-based guidelines. T2 research yields knowledge about the efficacy of the interventions in optimal settings.
• T3 – Investigators explore ways of applying recommendations or guidelines in general practice. T3 research yields knowledge about how interventions work in real-world settings.
• T4 – Investigators study factors and interventions that influence the health of populations. T4 research ultimately results in improved global health.

ATF Program Application: 

INSTRUCTIONS: Go to the ATF tab of the MW CTR-IN Portal, fill out the ATF pre-evaluation survey, and upload the NIH grant application as PDFs. Please include all the documents required by the funding agency including, but not limited to, the following: FACE PAGE, INTRODUCTION TO THE APPLICATION (if you have a revised NIH application), BIOSKETCHES, SCIENTIFIC PROPOSAL (e.g. 12 pgs/R01, 6 pgs/R21), BUDGET, BUDGET JUSTIFICATION, LETTERS OF SUPPORT, etc.

ATF Program Mock Study Section:

INSTRUCTIONS: All applicants receiving reviews will attend the mock study section via teleconference if time permits. Mentors are encouraged to participate either as reviewers or by attending the study section during the discussion of their mentee’s proposal.

ATF Resources Provided:

1. Expert pre-review of scientific method, formatting & grantsmanship.
2. Open discussion of proposals at mock study section with applicants and mentor(s) in attendance. This allows for increased impact and further understanding of grant review process and also to evaluate the mentor/mentee relationship, as well as applying “train the trainer strategies”.
3. Written comments and ability to contact reviewers in person for further advice about proposal style, format & substance.
4. Interactions between ATF reviewers and PIs may lead to future collaborations.