NIH Academy

Overview of the Academy

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is one of the top funders of research at the University of Oregon (UO). The Office of the Vice President of Research and Innovation (OVPRI) seeks to boost the success of UO early-career researchers applying to the NIH through targeted support and training through our NIH Academy.

The average age of investigators who receive their first NIH R01 award has steadily increased over the past two decades. In 2020, the average age of PI at the time of the first R01 award was 44 for both men and women. Given that the receipt of an R01 (or equivalent major NIH research award) is critical to establishing a productive and high-impact research trajectory, shortening the time to receipt of this first award is a key priority among our early career scholars.

The OVPRI is excited to pilot an initial cohort of trainees to enhance their understanding, preparation, and success in securing their first R01 grant. 

Important Dates

  • Application Deadline: June 14, 2024
  • Selection of Participants: Mid-July 2024
  • Academy Runs: October 2024 - June 2025

Eligibility

The Academy is open to:

  • Tenure-track assistant professors or research assistant professors;
  • Recently tenured (within 3 years) associate professors or research associate professors who have not yet won a substantial NIH independent research award (see ESI status); and,
  • Research associates with a track record of securing independent research grants.

Faculty applying for their first R01 (or equivalent, such as a DP2 or MIRA) will be prioritized for consideration. However, faculty working on their first resubmission of an R01 (or equivalent) are also welcome to apply.

  1. Research Readiness: The NIH Academy seeks to support scholars in submitting a competitive R01 (or equivalent) submission at the conclusion of the year-long program. As such, participants should be at the stage where they have generated preliminary data, have an appropriate publication record, and are committed to preparing a submission for the June deadline. Note: if you are targeting a different mechanism, such as a DP2 or MIRA application, you are expected to submit within the program year or the immediate deadline following the training period.
  2. Mandatory Participation: Accountability to yourself and your peers is an essential element of this cohort-based training program. As such, faculty accepted into the program must agree to fully participate in all aspects of NIH Academy (e.g., attend all workshops, complete deliverables, and submit an NIH grant application at the end of the program). To ensure full participation, faculty applicants must also secure a commitment from their department head or center/institute director in support of their participation.
  3. External Grant Submission: All participants are expected to submit an NIH R01 (or equivalent) for the June deadline following the Academy (Note: if you are targeting different mechanisms, such as a DP2 or MIRA applications, you are expected to submit within the program year or the immediate deadline following the training period). Some participants may pivot during the training period, if needed, to pursue a more focused, smaller mechanism.

Training Model

The NIH Academy is a cohort model led by a faculty chair and the Assistant VP of Strategic Research Initiatives, with significant support from Research Development Services. The NIH Academy will provide a supportive learning community that trains participants in every stage of the proposal development process, from finding the correct institute and contacting the program officer, to crafting compelling specific aims, to producing key ancillary documents such as the biographical sketch and human subjects research documents.

The program will include in-person workshops, peer review, external review, dedicated support from RDS, and additional services, including graphic design and scientific editors.

Structure and Time Commitment

The NIH Academy will consist of six, half-day, in-person training sessions, as well as follow-up assignments and meetings with key mentors/advisors outside of scheduled training sessions. Should trainees not score high enough for funding on their first application submitted after their cohort training period, they will receive support the following year through a post-NIH review analysis to enable a strong resubmission.

The NIH Academy training model:

  1. Empowers trainees with a deep understanding and knowledge of grant writing;
  2. Offers multi-tiered mentorship across schools/colleges/divisions;
  3. Enhances the competitiveness of NIH submissions among early career scholars, shortening the time between their first faculty appointment and receipt of their first major NIH research award; and,
  4. Builds community and engagement among early career scholars, offering structure and accountability in the grant development process. 

Science Mentor

Each participant will identify a science mentor who will commit to providing intellectual feedback at several key points across the program year. Most often, these will be the mentors assigned to faculty via their department or research center/institute. In some instances, an external science mentor may be most appropriate. Each science mentor will receive a $1,000 stipend given the expected level of time and investment in helping the participant refine their scientific rationale and approach.

Sample Curriculum

Below is an overview of the in-person training sessions for 2024-25. A final course syllabus will be released this summer. The curriculum for each year’s Academy is set by co-chairs for that year and therefore, participants’ experience might differ from year to year as program leaders customize the outcomes, resources, and specific needs of the participants.

  • Session 1 - October: Introduction, self-evaluation, goal setting, and team building
  • Session 2 - November: Specific aims page and connecting with NIH Program Officer
  • Session 3 - January: Significance and innovation sections
  • Session 4 - February: Research strategy, graphics, formatting, and NIH review process
  • Session 5 - March: Supporting documents (human subjects, budget, personnel, etc.)
  • Session 6 - June: Graduation celebration

Application to the Academy

The OVPRI will use a competitive application process to select faculty best positioned for success given the program structure. For the pilot year (AY 24-25), we expect to recruit 6-8 faculty trainees. In the future, we anticipate expanding the cohort to 12-15 participants.

By applying, selected participants are agreeing to commit to attending the in-person workshops, and to dedicate the time and effort necessary to develop a full proposal for NIH submission at the conclusion of the program.

  1. Application Form: The online form collects basic information in the form’s text boxes. (Note that the form cannot be saved part way through.)
  2. One-Page Summary or Specific Aims page: If you have a prepared Specific Aims page, you may submit that by attaching it to the online form. For those without a Specific Aims page, please provide an overview of your proposed NIH research project (single-spaced text, Arial, 11-point or larger, and 0.5” margins). Use the following questions extracted from DARPA’s Heilmeier Catechism to help shape your narrative:
    • What are you trying to do? Articulate your objectives using absolutely no jargon.
    • How is it done today, and what are the limits of current practice?
    • What is new in your approach, and why do you think it will be successful?
    • Who cares? If you are successful, what difference will it make?
    • What are the risks?
    • How long will it take?
  3. CV or Biographical Sketch
  4. Unit Head Support Form, Signed

Criteria for Participant Selection

  1. Proposed research mechanism and activities
  2. Publication record
  3. Stage of project and proposal readiness
  4. Diversity of disciplines and career type (TTF vs. career) 

Questions about this program should be directed to Research Development Services (rds@uoregon.edu).