The GRIT program offers two models for participation: the Cohort Model and Intensive Model. Both models engage participants for 12 months and support the development of one extramural grant application.

Pragmatic workshops: Workshop topics include but are not limited to: how to talk to your Program Officer, developing a comprehensive to do list, creating a submission timeline, non-science grant sections, preparing the K Table, general submission navigation, the Just-in-Time process, etc.

Writing groups: Weekly writing groups are offered several times each week for several hours at a time. Participants self-select a date/time that fits their schedule. Writing groups will likely consist of participants in various career stages (W2K, K2R, W2K).

Cohort editing and group coaching: Cohort Model participants are assigned to a group of peers in the same career stage (W2K, K2R, W2R) and a group coach. Participants receive feedback from their coach and peers on core grant components (i.e., Aims, Biosketch, the K Table and Candidate/Career sections (K submitters only), Significance, Innovation, Approach, and Response to Reviewers). Time is also reserved each month for coaches and participants to engage in general consultation and discussion.

Individual editing and coaching: One-on-one meetings with Dr. Emma Perez-Costas, GRIT Program Director, are individualized and provide dedicated time for the GRIT participant to discuss specific aspects of their application, review drafts and grant strategy, and provide advice regarding resources and networking at UAB. Individual editing includes line-by-line review and feedback of all grant pieces. Sessions are scheduled as preferred by the candidate (biweekly or monthly) and continue until grant submission or end of 12-month participation in GRIT.

Submission navigation: Individualized guidance regarding processes required for grant submission at the UAB/Institutional level. Consultation regarding issues with the submission process, compliance, requirements and best practices for budget and budget justification development. Consultation regarding processes after submission, such as Just-in-Time requirements as well as other non-standard requests by program officers after submission.

Celebration: All GRIT participants are invited to an annual grant submission celebration. Details will be shared with participants each year.

• The GRIT program supports a single extramural grant submission. Applicants should plan to submit their grant 6 to 12 months from time of program enrollment.
• The Cohort Model supports Instructors/Fellows, Assistant Professors and Associate Professors whose primary appointment and affiliation is at UAB.
• The Intensive Model supports Postdoctoral fellows, Instructors, Assistant Professors and Associate Professors whose primary appointment and affiliation is at UAB.
• The Cohort Model and Intensive Model both support applicants in the following career stages:

Whatever to K (W2K) — Participants who are developing their first extramural Career Development Award (e.g., K01, K23, K08, K99/R00 etc.), regardless of previous funding record.

K to R (K2R) – Participants who have been awarded an intramural (e.g., KL2, K12) or extramural Career Development Award (e.g., K01, K23, K08, K99/R00 etc.) and are developing their first independent R-level grant.

Whatever to R (W2R) — Participants developing their first independent R-level grant (e.g., R01, R34, R31, etc.) or other independent research project grant, regardless of previous funding record.

1. Those interested in participating in GRIT should apply through the “APPLY TO GRIT” tab of this website. Failure to provide all requested information will result in delays in processing your application.
2. After submitting your application, you will be contacted by program leadership to have a preliminary discussion regarding your research career and grant development plans.
3. Applicants are then invited to present their specific aims, mentor team (if preparing a Career Development Award such as a K01 grant), and Biosketch to a review panel. Together, the panel decides if applicants are ready to enroll in GRIT.
4. Within two weeks of the panel, applicants are either invited to enroll in GRIT or provided with feedback on ways to prepare for a future enrollment in GRIT.
5. Applicants invited to enroll choose to participate in the Cohort Model or Intensive Model, pending availability. Participants in the cohort model will be assigned to a group of near-peers in the same career stage (W2K, K2R, W2R) and a group coach. Intensive Model participants begin meeting with Dr. Emma Perez-Costas within one month.