Grant Writing Intensive Cohort (GRIT) - Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education

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Led by COERE and co-sponsored by CCTS, the Department of Medicine, Heersink School of Medicine, and the Office of the Vice President for Research, GRIT offers scholars 12 months of highly structured activities focused on specific steps in the extramural grant application process. From Biosketches and Aims to mentor selection and budgeting, GRIT provides invaluable guidance, structure, accountability, and group and/or one-on-one coaching to help investigators meet submission deadlines and craft exceedingly responsive resubmissions, as needed. Details on the two program models are available below. Both models accommodate applicants at the Whatever to K (W2K), K to R (K2R), and Whatever to R (W2R) stages. Since its inception in 2018, GRIT participants have had a >65% success rate in securing extramural K- and R-series awards.
- Program Overview:
  
  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.
- Eligibility
  
  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.
- Application and Enrollment
  
  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.
  
  After submitting your application, you will be contacted by program leadership to have a preliminary discussion regarding your research career and grant development plans.
  
  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.
  
  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.
  
  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.
GRIT Successes:
- Year 1:
  
  Tiffany 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 intervention
  
  Crystal 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 HIV
  
  Bertha 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 hypertension
  
  Christina 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
  
  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 Initiation
- Year 2:
  
  Nicole Bentley, MD
  
  School of Medicine
  GRIT Cohort 2019
  
  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
  Grant Mechanism: K23
  Years Funded: 2021-2026
  Project Title: Investigating Inhibitory Control Networks in Parkinson's Disease
  
  Kaylee 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
  
  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 Healthcare
  
  Faith 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 Perspective
  
  Trisha 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 Patients
  
  Gabrielle 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 management
  
  Michael Seifert, MD
  
  School of Medicine
  GRIT Cohort 2019
  
  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
  Grant Mechanism: R01
  Years Funded: 2020-2025
  Project Title: Clinical and Molecular Biomarkers of Endpoints in Pediatric Renal Transplantation
- 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 South
  
  Karin 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 cancer
  
  Samantha Hill, MD
  
  School of Medicine
  GRIT Cohort 2020
  
  National Institute of Mental Health
  Grant Mechanism: K23
  Years Funded: 2022-2027
  Project Title: Integration of Trusted Adult Supports into the HealthMpowerment App to Improve Black Adolescent and Young Adult PrEP Use
  
  Brandi Pernell, DNP
  
  GRIT Cohort 2020
  
  School of Medicine
  Grant Mechanism: K23
  Years Funded: 2022-2027
  Project Title: Promotion of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Children with Sickle Cell Disease for Improved Health Outcomes
  
  Caroline 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
  
  Rachel Sinkey, MD
  
  School of Medicine
  GRIT Cohort 2020
  
  American Heart Association
  Grant Mechanism: Health Equity Research Network on Prevention of Hypertension (HERN)
  Years Funded: 2022-2026
  Project Title: P3 Providing an Optimized and emPowered Pregnancy for You (POPPY)
  
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
  Grant Mechanism: K23
  Years Funded: 2022-2027
  
  Project Title: The ACHIEVE Trial: Achieving longer gestation in preeclampsia via antihypertensive therapy.
- Year 4:
  
  Abigail Hernandez, PhD
  
  School of Medicine
  GRIT Cohort 2021
  
  Grant Mechanism: K99
  Years Funded: 2022- 2027
  Project Title: Influence of gut on metabolism and cognition in Alzheimer's disease
  
  Ashley Holder, MD
  
  School of Medicine
  GRIT Cohort 2021
  
  Melanoma Research Foundation
  Grant Mechanism: Young Investigator Research Team Award
  Years Funded: 2022- 2024
  Project Title: Macrophage Regulation of the Tumor Microenvironment in Metastatic Melanoma
  
  American College of Surgeons
  Grant Mechanism: George H. A. Clowes, Jr., MD, FACS, Memorial Research Career Development Award
  Years Funded: 2021-2026
  Project Title: Macrophage Regulation of the Tumor Microenvironment in Metastatic Melanoma
  
  Carrie Howell, PhD, MPH
  
  School of Medicine
  GRIT Cohort 2021
  
  National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
  Grant Mechanism: K01
  Years Funded: 2022- 2026
  Project Title: Harnessing Social Determinant of Health Data to Identify and Engage High Risk, Socially Vulnerable Populations for Diabetes Prevention
  
  American Heart Association
  Grant Mechanism: Career Development Award
  Years Funded: 2022- 2025
  Project Title: Assessing Populations at High Risk for Major Cardiac Events using Social Determinant and Cardiometabolic data (AT-RISC)
- Year 5:
  
  Megan Leask, Ph.D.
  
  School of Medicine
  GRIT Cohort 2022
  
  Grant Mechanism: NIAMS Diversity Supplement
  Years Funded: 2022 - 2024
  Project Title: Functional and Integrative Omics of Recurrent Gout Flares
Thank you for your interest in participating in the GRIT program!

Please provide all information requested in the application below. GRIT program leadership will reach out to you about next steps shortly after we receive your application.

Apply to GRIT

Abigail Hernandez, PhD

Carrie Howell, PhD, MPH