Grants underlie most cancer research. Increased competition for fewer resources means the success rate for federal grant applications has dropped significantly. This drop is especially worrisome when we think about what it means for our younger investigators, who are trying to build a successful research career.
This virtual course is designed for early stage investigators preparing for future grant submissions, including career development awards (i.e., K awards, K equivalents) and pilot/research grants (i.e., R03, R21, etc.). These are offered without cost to members of SWOG and other National Clinical Trials Network groups.
Investigators will participate in bi-weekly sessions over a 6-week period, including didactic lectures on grantsmanship and biostatistics, peer review sessions, and tips on how to complete various grant sections. There will be direct verbal feedback from peer reviewers with expertise in various research fields and experience in successful grant-writing, as well as access to biostatistical support. Before starting the course, participants will need to provide the grant mechanism and grant deadline, as well as the working title for their proposal.
Sessions include
- Introduction to grant writing
- Presentation of specific aims
- Discussion of research plan/biostatistics
- Peer review of research strategy
- Discussion of the career development plan and other grant sections
- Peer review of the full grant
The SWOG Grant Writing Workshop is led by SWOG Executive Officer Dr. Katherine Crew (pictured above). Other participating faculty will be invited to participate based on applicant areas of interest and grant mechanisms.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: May 1
- Next course start: TBA
Eligibility
- Applicants must be faculty members at a SWOG institution OR at a member institution within the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN).
- Clinical Instructor/Lecturer appointments are also eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be actively preparing a grant (CDA or Pilot/Research) for submission within 2026-27.