Tips for 'K' and 'F' Awards

Be someone!

These awards are honorific, so you must show you are a "somebody" or a "somebody-to-be" in order to get one. This is the time to blow your own horn about every contribution you have made, or have helped to make. A key component of your application will be letters of support and recommendations. Therefore, make sure the people who are writing your letters know how important it is for them to be specific about your commitment to the field, about your accomplishments, about your talent, about your willingness to be a good team member, and about your creativity. Help them out by writing bullets for them to use, but be sure you don't give everyone the same bullets or in the same order. Each letter should be unique and special.

Be familiar with the guidelines!

Although the general guidelines for these awards are on the NIH Web site, every Institute is allowed to make slight changes in certain criteria—such as the funding amount. Speak with the Project Officer/Program Official (PO) to make sure you understand the application guidelines.

At the same time, familiarize yourself with the specific review criteria for the grant, so you can see exactly what the reviewers will be looking for. This will help you prepare a focused, appropriate application.

A note on independence

For the K01 awards, the committee is looking for researchers who will be independent by the end of the award period. The award is not intended for a Post-Doc who has been mentored by Dr. Doe for the past 3 years to continue being mentored by Dr. Doe, unless a new experience is being explored. The "newness" of the experience is key.

The mentor's section should outline other individuals under the mentor's tutelage, their past experience in mentoring and supervising, and their plans for helping you achieve your goals. The commitment of the institution to the proposed work is especially important, as is the quality of the environment to conduct the research.

Career development plan

This section of your proposal should demonstrate how the award will help you in your career—what are your plans to contribute to the conceptual and theoretical knowledge of the field? How will this experience help you achieve your own career goals and scientific independence?

Somewhere in the grant, the candidate must also address how they will continue their training in the responsible conduct of research. Past course work alone will not be adequate; training must be ongoing during the course of the grant.