• Are you finding it challenging to learn the intricacies of writing NIH-style research proposals?

• Do you struggle with making a compelling case to reviewers for the importance of your research project?

• Are you having trouble getting consistent feedback from experts as you write research proposals?

If any or all of these apply to you, then consider applying for entry into the University of Utah Grant Writing Coaching Group Study.

This study is funded by NIH grant #U01 GM132366. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the University of Utah IRB (approval #00113440).

Applications for Cohort 5 are due by

September 13, 2021

• Group coaching for Cohort 5 will take place from January – May 2022.

• You must be targeting an NIH submission deadline of May – September 2022 (preferred) or October – December 2022.



• If you plan to submit your grant proposal before May 2022, you are not eligible to participate in Cohort 5.

Why should I participate?

All study participants will engage in a 5-month long, writing-intensive, small group, coaching experience designed to refine their proposal writing skills and facilitate timely submission of their proposals. The coaching model used in this study has been developed for over 10 years and expanded to national groups since 2014 through the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN).

To be eligible you must be:

• A faculty member or advanced postdoctoral fellow on a career trajectory to become an NIH-funded independent investigator.

• Actively developing a new or revised K-, R- or SC-series NIH proposal (or similar national-level proposal) with an intended submission date 6-10 months after the kickoff for your cohort. Individuals who have already been awarded R01-level funding are not eligible.

• Able to identify a Scientific Advisor (mentor or experienced colleague in your field) who can offer scientific feedback on your proposal and engage with the coaching process as part of the study.  Participants and their Scientific Advisors are enrolled as dyads in the study. 

• A U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.



• For Cohort 5, targeting an NIH submission deadline of May – September 2022 (preferred) or October – December 2022.

What does the study involve?

During the study, participants develop drafts of core sections of their own grant proposal, then meet as a small group every other week (8 two-hour virtual meetings) to receive critical feedback on their work-in-progress from a skilled grant writing coach and peers in their group. Groups are led by an experienced grant writing coach (senior NIH-funded investigator) who has been specially trained in the coaching group model.

The intervention begins with a 2-day virtual kickoff, followed by 5 months of bi-weekly

virtual group coaching meetings, and concluding with a virtual mock study section. Depending on randomization, some participants will have access to an additional 18 months of individualized coaching.

Participants are randomized into one of four intervention arms (2x2 factorial design) to independently assess the influence of intervention dose (regular dose vs extended dose)

and the mode of engagement of their Scientific Advisor with the coaching group process

(structured vs unstructured).

All participants will be asked to complete baseline and periodic follow-up surveys/interviews over 24 months ($90 in gift certificates for completing all assessments).

Key Dates for Cohort 5:

For more information about this study and to access the application, visit our website HERE.

Questions? Contact our study team at NRMNUtah@utah.edu.

Application deadline: September 13, 2021 11:59 PM MT

Want to learn more about the

National Research Mentoring Network?