Scott Filler, PhD speaks on the topic of "How Write the "Specific Aims" Section of a Grant Application” and "The Rebuttal Letter" at the R Award Workshop on November 08, 2018 at UCLA.

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

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

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

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