Research

Grantsmanship Training

Are You a Patient?

The USC Keck School of Medicine has compiled several resources available for KSOM researchers that can enhance grant and proposal success. Training is available in areas such as writing and editing assistance, grant budgets, and deciphering specific aims for different funding mechanisms.

USC Keck School of Medicine NIH R01 Boot Camp

This annual course is intended for Keck School faculty writing their first extramural R01 (or equivalent) proposal focused on basic, translational, clinical or population/health sciences research. Participating faculty should already have a general concept of their specific aims, and have generated some preliminary data in support of the aims. Participating faculty should also have a recent publication history in the research area that supports their ability to serve as a Principal Investigator on an R01 grant. This course covers the following topics in an interactive format:

  • Introduction to NIH
  • NIH Study Section and Review Criteria
  • Specific Aims Do’s and Don’ts
  • Significance and Innovation
  • The Grant Overview Figure
  • Organizing the Approach
  • The NIH Biosketch
  • Budget and Budget Justification
  • Equipment and Facilities Pages
  • Data Sharing

The biweekly format and structured assignment schedule are intended to enable the committed participant to generation of a full R01 proposal by course conclusion. As part of the course, the prepared draft R01 will be submitted for internal expert review. Offered in Fall by Dr. Sarah Hamm-Alvarez, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Basic and Translational Sciences. For information contact cort.brinkerhoff@med.usc.edu

Research Design and Biostatistical Considerations

Are you a researcher looking for statistical support, project mentorship, and application guidance while applying for your dream grant? Program Description:

The virtual and in-person training program will equip a group of 5-6 junior faculty with tips and tools to:

  1. Apply for your first research grant(s).
  2. Design and prepare an analysis plan such as a grant draft or research protocol.
  3. Help you think through the statistical portion of your application.

When: Nine sessions, January 2024 to May 2024 – Flexible Schedule

Questions? Contact bbr@sc-ctsi.org

Grant Figure Preparation

An informative, colorful and attractive overview figure summarizing your grant specific aims and including explanatory images and/or diagrams is a great asset for any grant proposal. Proposal reviewers will expect and appreciate this well-prepared critical figure and refer to it throughout their review of your materials. You will also be able to improve their appreciation of your proposals’ importance, innovation and significance with a well-prepared overview figure. KSoM offers an annual subscriptions to bioRender, a scientific illustration program, for KSoM faculty, staff and trainees engaged in research. bioRender offers anytime, on-demand modules that offer expert advice on use of the program to create compelling grant figures, presentations and other scientific artwork. Click here for on-demand modules. Information on interactive training modules offered in 2023-2024 can be found here.

To obtain a subscription on bioRender or to find out more about the different training offered, contact ksom-research@med.usc.edu

K-Award Program

Recognizing the importance of clinician-researchers to the future of the nation’s health, the National Institutes of Health has developed a series of K-awards to support their career development. Some of these awards also support scientists, engineers, computational biologists, and other purely research disciplines. The Research Career Development Program is a resource to assist junior faculty in writing their individual K-award (e.g., K01, K08, K23 etc.).