CTSI R Workshop: How to Write the “Specific Aims” Section of a Grant Application (Basic Science Scott G. Filler, MD Professor of Medicine at Lundquist Institute/Harbor-UCLA and UCLA Leader, CTSI Pilot Translational and Clinical Studies Program Co-Leader, CTSI KL2 Institutional Development Core

1. Key points about specific aims
page
• Will determine most of the reviewer’s score
• Should convey your excitement
• Should make the reviewer want to read more
• Make sure that it tells a coherent story

2. Typical layout
• 1-2 paragraphs of background
o Importance of topic/overall goal
o Prior research, especially your own
o Gaps in current knowledge
o Overall hypothesis
• Specific aims in bullet points
• Importance and impact of knowledge to be gained
(optional)

3. Key points about specific aims
page
• Must be easily understood
oTell a clear story
oAvoid jargon and abbreviations
oUse simple declarative sentences
oShould provide a clear description of what you hope to
do and what key knowledge gaps will be filled

4. Things to avoid
• Jargon and abbreviations
• Dense, hard to understand writing
• Potential pitfalls of the proposed research
• Criticisms of others’ work
• One aim that depends on another*

5. Things to do
• Make sure that the research will address your
hypothesis
• Have people outside your field read your specific
aims page