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A collaboration between the COERE and the CCTS, the Grant Writing Intensive Cohort (GRIT) offers scholars four to six months of highly structured weekly activities focused on specific steps in the grant application process. From NIH Specific Aims and Biosketches to training and budget plans, the GRIT cohort program will provide invaluable guidance and help keep you on track to meet your submission deadline.
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GRIT Scholar selection process:
Those interested in participating in GRIT should complete the GRIT application.
After submission you will be contacted to schedule a meeting with the GRIT lead (Dr. Emma Perez-Costas) — this meeting is intended as the first contact to:
- assess how GRIT can help you succeed
- have a preliminary discussion regarding your research career /grant development plans
GRIT candidates will be invited to present their preliminary specific aims/grant ideas during a conversational specific aims workshop
- Candidates are encouraged to provide names of potential panelists for their specific aims workshop presentation. GRIT intends the workshop panel to represent a broad scope of expertise, from GRIT participants to members of the SCOR team and other UAB faculty.
- Candidates will submit a first draft of their specific aims or grant outline (1 page) prior to the workshop (one week prior to the meeting -- recommended)
- GRIT candidates would provide a 15 minute overview of their project during the specific aims workshop
- The workshop panel would provide feedback regarding the specific aims and the overall project idea during and information and conversational Q&A session following the specific aims presentation.
After the specific aims workshop — GRIT candidates will have a one-on-one “feedback meeting” with the program lead to assess their next steps / readiness to participate in the program
- GRIT scholars are accepted formally to the program
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GRIT Cohorts:
The program offers two groups that are catered to different career stages:
- GRIT K-GROUP — focused on early career investigators aiming to develop their first extramural Career Development Award (e.g., K01, K23, K08, K99/R00 etc.)
- GRIT R-GROUP — mainly focused on early career investigators aiming to develop their first independent R-level grant (e.g., R01, R34, R31 etc.)
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Program Overview:
The program is comprehensive and combines regularly scheduled group sessions (weekly/biweekly) and individualized “coaching” one-on-one sessions (biweekly/monthly). In addition, scholars keep in contact via email with the program lead throughout the entire grant development process.
- Group sessions include topics such as study design, planning and developing research strategy, study feasibility, human subjects, budget development, biosketch development, and career development plan (for K-group only).
- Coaching/one-on-one meetings are individualized to provide dedicated time for the scholar to discuss specific aspects of the application, review drafts, grant strategy, provide advice regarding resources and networking at UAB — these sessions are scheduled as preferred by the candidate (biweekly or monthly) and continue until grant submission.
In addition, scholars will have the opportunity to schedule a session with the CCTS Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD) team to define the study design.
Finally, scholars will be encouraged to utilize other CCTS resources such as Panels Done Quickly (PDQ) and specific CCTS Tiers sessions.
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GRIT Scholar selection process:
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GRIT Successes:
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Year 1:
Aadia Rana, MD
School of Medicine
GRIT Cohort 2017
National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
Grant Mechanism: R01
Years Funded: 2018-2023
Project Title: Geographic Variability in Time from HIV Diagnosis to Viral Suppression in the Deep South: A Roadmap to Accelerated Treatment InitiationCrystal Chapman Lambert, PhD
School of Nursing
GRIT Cohort 2018
National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health
Grant Mechanism: K23
Years Funded: 2019-2023
Project Title: Feasibility of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention for Black Women Living
with HIVTiffany Carson, PhD, MPH
School of Medicine
GRIT Cohort 2018
National Cancer Institute
Grant Mechanism: R01
Years Funded: 2021-2025
Project Title: Determining the structural- and functional-level effects of diet-specific interventions on the gut microbiota of a diverse sample of Southern United States adults
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Grant Mechanism: R01
Years Funded: 2021-202
Project Title: Improving weight loss outcomes of black women using a culturally relevant, stress management enhancement behavioral weight loss interventionBertha Hidalgo PhD, MPH
School of Public Health
GRIT Cohort 2018
National Heart Lung & Blood Institute
Grant Mechanism: R01
Years Funded: 2022-2025
Project Title: Epigenetic biomarkers of preeclampsia risk among mothers with chronic hypertensionChristina Muzny, MD
School of Medicine
GRIT Cohort 2018
National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
Grant Mechanism: R21
Years Funded: 2021-2023
Project Title: The Impact of Testosterone Use on the Vaginal Microbiota in Transgender Men, including Susceptibility to Bacterial Vaginosis
National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
Grant Mechanism: R01
Years Funded: 2020-2025
Project Title: Microbial Interactions between Gardnerella, Prevotella, and Atopobium Prior to Incident Bacterial Vaginosis -
Year 2:
Latesha Elopre, MD
School of Medicine
GRIT Cohort 2019
National Institute of Mental Health
Grant Mechanism: R34
Years Funded: 2021-2024
Project Title: PrEP 4 Her: Developing a Novel Strategy to Implement PrEP into Women's HealthcareFaith Fletcher, PhD
School of Public Health
GRIT Cohort 2019
National Human Genome Research Institute
Grant Mechanism: K01
Years Funded: 2021-2024
Project Title:
Developing Evidence-Based Guidance for Engaging Rural Residents in the Deep South in Genomics Research: A Stakeholder-Driven PerspectiveTrisha Parekh, DO
School of Medicine
GRIT Cohort 2019
National Heart Lung & Blood Institute
Grant Mechanism: K23
Years Funded: 2020-2025
Project Title: Development of a Community Health Worker-Led Stress Reduction Intervention for Low-Income COPD PatientsGabrielle Rocque, MD
GRIT Cohort 2019
National Institute of Nursing Research
Grant Mechanism: R01
Years Funded: 2021-2026
Project Title: Evaluating the implementation and impact of navigator-delivered ePRO home symptom monitoring and managementKaylee Crockett, PhD
School of Medicine
GRIT Cohort 2019
National Heart Lung & Blood Institute
Grant Mechanism: K23
Years Funded: 2021-2026
Project Title: Adaptation and Pilot Testing a Behavioral Physical Activity Intervention with Peer Support for Women with HIV and Co-Occurring Hypertension -
Year 3:
Ronnie "Matt" Gravett, MD
GRIT Cohort 2020
National Institute of Mental Health
Grant Mechanism: K23
Years Funded: 2022-2027
Project Title: Amplifying Our Voice: Understanding HIV PrEP Promotional Messaging to Create Authentic PrEP Content by Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Deep SouthKarin Hardiman, MD, PhD
School of Medicine
GRIT Cohort 2020
National Cancer Institute
Grant Mechanism: R01
Years Funded: 2022-2027
Project Title: A novel, transferable sialylation-mediated mechanism of chemoradioresistance in GI cancerCaroline Presley, MD, MPH
School of Medicine
GRIT Cohort 2020
National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health
Grant Mechanism: K23
Years Funded: 2022-2025
Project Title: Mindfulness-Based Diabetes Education for adults with elevated diabetes distress
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Year 1:
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Thank you for your interest in joining a GRIT cohort!
GRIT offers invaluable support and access to expertise for early stage investigators, trainees, and postdocs who are applying for grants and awards, including the NIH K grants. We also offer a K2R cohort for early stage investigators in pursuit of their first NIH R grant. Applicants who successfully complete the process below will be invited to join an intensive grant preparation cohort.
Apply to GRIT