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

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.)

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.