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Grant Writing

CLRES 2076: Introduction to Grant Writing for Postdoctoral Trainees (1 credit)

Education Benefits
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Clear and precise writing is an essential part of effectively communicating scientific discoveries and successfully competing for external research training support, and obtaining external peer-reviewed grant support is one of the most daunting yet critical determinants to academic and career success. This effort very often begins during the clinical or scientific training years. Introduction to Grant Writing is comprised of a series of lectures, select readings, writing of a draft grant application, and class discussions with peer review of these drafts led by NIH-funded investigators. This course will provide post-graduate PhD- and MD-level scientists with limited prior grant writing experience with useful knowledge, insights, and skills in the process of writing a grant application to improve their chances of later funding and subsequent career success.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will have completed a draft of their own grant application. 

The objectives of this course include: 

  1. Learning the process of applying for external funding and the types of available federal and foundation funding mechanisms
  2. Developing the skills necessary to effectively communicate research aims and hypotheses
  3. Acquiring the skills necessary to construct a competitive grant application

Course requirements:

  1. Class attendance and active participation, including peer review of grant proposals (50% of grade).
  2. Submit on time, and in required format, drafts of application sections as they are covered in the course (see dates below), leading to production of a complete draft grant proposal comprised of Specific Aims, NIH Biosketch, Significance, Innovation, Research Plan, and Mentorship/Training Plan (50% of grade).
COURSE DIRECTORS

Lauren M. Bylsma, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

David Gau, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pathology and Bioengineering
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Junior Instructor:
TBD

ELIGIBILITY

This course is targeted to post-graduate PhD- and MD-level scientists interested in applying for National Institutes of Health (NIH) F and K series grants (including K99/R00), other federal training grants (e.g., VA, DoD) or nonfederal foundation grants. In addition, this course will satisfy the professional development requirements of T32-supported trainees. Please note that: (1) US citizenship or permanent residency status is required to apply for NIH T and F series fellowship awards, (2) Some NIH K award mechanism accepts applications from foreign nationals: K99/R00, NCI K32, and (3) Some foundation fellowships may accept applications from foreign nationals depending upon the sponsor.

New for this year, we will also accept students who wish to be “observers” in the course. Observers are still expected to attend the lectures and assist with reviewing other grant write-ups during small group sessions, however, observers will not be expected to write their own proposal. This track is for those interested in learning about grant writing and may not be ready to write their proposal yet. Students in this track are still expected to register and pay required course fees.

Please note:

  • US citizenship or permanent residency status is required to apply for NIH T and F series fellowship awards.
  • Some NIH K award mechanisms accept applications from foreign nationals: K99/R00, NCI K32
  • Some foundation fellowships may accept applications from foreign nationals depending upon the sponsor.
COURSE OUTLINE 

January 12 – April 27, 2026
10 in-person* meetings (a mix of lectures and small group discussions) over 14 weeks
Location: TBA

Date

Topic

Class 1:
January 12, 2026

Lecture: Course Overview and How to Write a Specific Aims
Guest Lecturer: Dr. Gavin E. Arteel, PhD, A Guide to the Secrets of Study Sections
Finding the Right Institute and Funding Mechanism (NIH F and K Series Awards)
Homework: Submit a draft of your proposal title, abstract, and funding mechanism by Monday, January 26

January 19, 2026

No Class

Class 2:
January 26, 2026

Lecture: Mentoring and Training Plan
Homework: Write first drafts of Specific Aims and Biosketch - submit by Wednesday, February 4 by 5PM

February 2, 2026

No Class

Class 3:
February 9, 2026
 

Lecture: Review Preparing your Mentorship and Training Plan
Peer Review (Small Groups): Specific Aims and NIH Biosketch
Homework: Write Specific Aims and Biosketch revisiion - submit by Wednesday, February 18 by 5PM. Start Working on Training Plan (Due March 4)

February 16, 2026

No Class

Class 4:
February 23, 2026

Lecture: Significance and Innovation
Peer Review: Aims and Biosketch Revision
Homework: Training Plan - submit by Wednesday, March 4 by 5PM

Class 5:
March 2, 2026

Lecture: How to Write a Research Plan
Peer Review: Training Plan
Homework: Revise training plan for next week - submit by Wednesday, March 11 by 5PM. Write Significance and Innovation - submit by Wednesday, March 25 by 5PM

March 9, 2026

No Class

Class 6:
March 16, 2026

Peer Review (Small Group): Training Plan
Homework: Write Significance and Innovation - submit by Wednesday, March 25 by 5PM

March 23, 2026

No Class

Class 7:
March 30, 2026

Lecture: Review Process
Peer Review (Small Group): Significance and Innovation
Homework: Write Research Plan - submit by Wednedsay, April 1 by 5PM

Class 8:
April 6, 2026

Lecture: Additional Special Topics
Mentored Career Development Award, How to Respond to Review Feedback: Writing an Introduction to the Resubmission

Class 9:
April 13, 2026

Peer Review (Small Group): Research Plan

April 20, 2026

No Class

Class 10:
April 27, 2026

Peer Review (Small Group): Mock Study Section
PREREQUISITES

(1) Faculty Mentor Support

Faculty mentors will be expected to provide guidance and constructive feedback on course assignments; therefore, a letter of support is required from your faculty mentor. You will need the support and encouragement of your faculty mentor to successfully compete for a research training award. Consequently, enrollment in this course will be limited to only those applicants who provide a letter of support from their faculty mentor that:

    (1) affirms your scientific readiness to compete for a research training grant,
    (2) clearly articulates your faculty mentor’s understanding of the importance
         for you to attend every session, and
    (3) demonstrates your faculty mentor’s overall commitment to your
         career success.

(2) English Language Proficiency

Postdoctoral associates, postdoctoral scholars, and research associates university-wide, who earned their doctoral degrees at English-speaking institutions, are eligible to apply for non-degree student admission.

Others must demonstrate:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) score of at least 100
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least Band 7
  • Completion of University of Pittsburgh English as a Second Language Courses

Testing for the spring 2026 semester is open and will continue until the deadline for adding classes.

To register for the English Proficiency Test, send an email to pitttest@pitt.edu with the heading "English test," and include the following information: 1) your full name, 2) your PeopleSoft number found on your Pitt ID, 3) your date of birth, and 4) your University of Pittsburgh email address

KEY WEB RESOURCES
DISABILITIES

If you have a disability that requires special accommodations or other classroom modifications, you need to notify Drs. Bylsma or Gau, as well as Disability Resources and Services no later than the second week of the term. You may be asked to provide documentation of your disability to determine the appropriateness of accommodations. To notify Disability Resources and Services, call 648-7890 (Voice or TTD) to schedule an appointment. The Office is located in Suite 140 William Pitt Union.

COURSE GRADING

Grading Scale: This course will be graded on a pass/fail scale. To pass the class, students will need to attend and participate in at least 8 of the 10 lectures/meetings and submit at least 8/10 of assigned drafts of grant sections on time by specified deadlines, unless an extension is approved in advance. It is critically important to submit materials on time in the proper format, as a key part of this course involves peer review and faculty feedback on your materials.

Incomplete Grades: Students who are unable to complete the course for any reason must contact Drs. Bylsma or Gau as soon as possible to discuss grades and remediation.

Academic Integrity: Students are expected to comply with the University of Pittsburgh's Policy on Academic Integrity.  Any student suspected of violating this obligation for any reason during the semester will be required to participate in the procedural process, initiated at the instructor level, as outlined in the University Guidelines on Academic Integrity.

EDUCATION BENEFITS

  • Description of Postdoctoral Education Benefits: View Benefits
    • Based upon IRS tax code, graduate tuition benefits above $5250 in a calendar year are considered taxable income and these taxes are withheld from your educational benefits. To avoid federal income tax liability:
      • PA residents* should not enroll in more than 4 graduate credits per calendar year
      • Out of state residents should not enroll in more than 2.5 graduate credits per calendar year
    • *US citizens and permanent residents can be considered PA residents after residing in PA for twelve consecutive months.
    • Financial responsibility for a 1-credit graduate course after tuition benefits are applied is explained here.
  • Postdocs are encouraged to ask their faculty mentors to reimburse their out-of-pocket expenses for graduate credit courses.
  • Postdoc Tuition Payment Instructions for Administrators

REGISTRATION

  • New students:
    • All new students must complete the online application before registering for this course. Click here to access the application.
      • Postdoctoral trainees at the University of Pittsburgh do not have to submit transcripts due to already possessing a doctoral degree.
      • Additionally, the graduate student application fee is waived for non-degree students. 
    • New applicants will receive a link to register in a confirmation email upon acceptance of their application.
  • For returning students, complete the registration form here.
    • You do not need to complete the online application process again.
  • You will be able to upload your mentor's Letter of Support at the end of the registration form. 
  • Financial responsibility is incurred upon registration.

DEADLINES

  • If you haven't previously completed a student application with the OACD, you must apply by January 7, 2026.
  • Registrations will be accepted through January 9, 2026.

REQUEST TO CONSULT WITH AN ADVISOR

If you have any questions, email OACDGradCourses@pitt.edu or call (412) 648-8486 to talk with an advisor.

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