Advice to the First Time Applicant

Strategies and resources to assist in developing your first application are listed below:

1. Assess your research interests and skill and the resources available at Meharry and affiliate institutions. What type of research questions are you really interested in?  Which of your research skills provides the best platform for launching a research program?  What skills are best obtained through collaborations?  Talk to someone soon about institutional resources, here and at neighboring institutions.  We welcome your inquires about institutional resources in our Office of Grants Development. Write you ideas down and refine them frequently as your proceed.
   
   
2. Perform an extensive literature review. Learn what is known and what is not known, but is important for someone to discover.
   
   
3. Brainstorm your ideas with colleagues in your department, other colleagues, and potential collaborators.
   
   
4. Make  formal appointments to discuss your ideas at length and get advice from: your department chairperson;  relevant center directors; and  senior research administrators in the Office for Research, especially the Grants Development Office (telephone 615-327-6288 or 2201 H.D. West Building)
   
   
5. Identify potential funding mechanisms (see http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp)
   
   
6. Familiarize yourself with priority areas for relevant funding agencies using publications and funding websites.
   
   
7. Visit exhibits (booths) at national scientific meetings and speak with Program Officers for federal and non-federal funding agencies. Visit the booths early during the meeting as the person most knowledgeable about your content area will normally have scheduled times to host the booth. You can maximize the outcomes of these meetings by being prepared.
   
   
8. Always download instructions and read them carefully before beginning to write or outline your application.