Scott Filler, PhD speaks on the topic of "How to Structure the “Approach” Section of a Grant Application," at the R Award Workshop on November 09, 2017 at UCLA.

1. Approach
(Basic Science)
Scott G. Filler, M.D.
Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute
at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

2. Approach--Overall Layout
• Preliminary data
• Aim 1
o Rationale and overall approach
o Experimental methods
o Anticipated results
o Alternative outcomes (potential pitfalls)
o Future directions
• Aim 2
o Rationale and overall approach
o Experimental methods
o Anticipated results
o Alternative outcomes (potential pitfalls)
o Future directions

3. Approach--Alternate
Layout
• Aim 1
o Preliminary data
o Rationale and overall approach
o Experimental methods
o Anticipated results
o Alternative outcomes (potential pitfalls)
o Future directions
• Aim 2
o Preliminary data
o Rationale and overall approach
o Experimental methods
o Anticipated results
o Alternative outcomes (potential pitfalls)
o Future directions

4. Preliminary Data
• Present compelling preliminary
data
o Supports PREMISE of the work
o Demonstrates feasibility
o Sparks interest, but leaves reviewer
wanting to learn more
• Potential pitfalls in prelim data
o Clear weaknesses
o Supports alternative hypothesis

5. Approach
• Describe overall approach and
the controls
• Need power calculations for
animal studies
o Many details of animal studies can be
move to Vertebrate Animals section
• Address sex as a biological
variable

6. Approach
• Rigor and Transparency
o Strong scientific premise (Significance)
o Scientific rigor (Approach)
• Blinding, sample size, reducing bias
o Consideration of relevant biological
variables, such as sex (Approach)
• Include animals of both sexes if feasible
o Authentication of key biological and/or
chemical resources (separate page)

7. Approach
• Potential pitfalls
o One aim depend on another *
o Excessive detail
• Detracts from overall message
• Target for criticism
o Densely written prose
“If reading a grant gives the reviewer a
headache, that grant is unlikely to
receive a good score”

8. Anticipated Results and
Potential Pitfalls
• What do you think the results will be?
• Creativity and flexible thinking very
important
• Interesting alternative outcomes
• What if hypothesis is not supported?
• Never present a potential pitfall for
which you don’t have a good solution

9. Future Directions
• Where is your research going?
• What will be its impact?
• How can the specific
information learn be applied
to a broader question?