With the arrival of summer, you may have more time to work on grant applications and research proposals. This article highlights selected HSLS resources and services, as well as other University services, that may make planning and writing more productive.
Before starting work on an application or proposal, think about your overall approach or goals. How can you develop a program of research that is thoughtful and systematic? What skills and habits will help you to write more effectively? These e-books may help you explore these questions:
Life in Science: Stories, Opinions and Advice for a New Generation of Scientists
Where Research Begins: Choosing a Research Project That Matters to You (and the World)
Success and Creativity in Scientific Research: Amaze Your Friends and Surprise Yourself
An important first step is deciding where to apply for funding. Pivot, available through the Office of Sponsored Programs, is a database of international, federal, state, and local funding opportunities (this is a subscription-based resource, so use your Pitt credentials to log in from off-campus). The Office of Research, Health Sciences also offers information about both internal and external sources of grant funding.
Don’t forget that many funding agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, require a data management and sharing plan (DMSP). The HSLS Data Management and Sharing Guide contains detailed information about DMSPs, and the May 2024 edition of the HSLS Update has additional tips on developing this critical section.
While it’s important to adhere to the instructions and formatting requirements provided by a funding agency, we have several e-books that provide general guidance about grant writing:
Writing Grant Proposals in Epidemiology, Preventive Medicine, and Biostatistics
Writing Successful Science Proposals
Writing Research Proposals in the Health Sciences : A Step-by-Step Guide
Finally, don’t forget the Pitt Research Navigator, which can connect Pitt faculty to all sorts of helpful resources, services, and administrative offices.
~Mary Lou Klem