The Numbers Behind Why NIH Researchers Choose Us To Help Write Fundable R01 Grants
The end of the year is an exciting time for our company. Our team works super hard all year long, so we always look forward to our annual two-week break. It’s a period where we as an organization take time to refresh so we can be ready to serve researchers in the new year.
But before we took our much-needed recharge period last month, we came together and evaluated the successes of the PIs we worked with this year.
First, we reviewed the data to know exactly what those successes were and compared them to our previous year and industry norms.
Then we reflected on what went right and analyzed the areas where we can improve how we serve our clients.
Lastly, we revved up for the new year, creating goals and plans that will continue to help the next notable NIH researchers get their R01s funded and make an impact with their research.
Our 2022 By The Numbers
Our numbers reflect the trust that our PIs put in us and they reveal the potential and hard work of the researchers we have the privilege of working with year-round.
Here is how we partnered together to see them excel in 2022:
Served almost 80 clients inside our paid programs and services
Served more than 1500 students with our free workshops
More than 500 researchers signed up for our free resource library
Researchers spent 400+ hours learning with us on YouTube
We helped researchers bring in $16.5 Million in grant funding
The determination of the researchers we have the privilege of working with and serving is the reason why we are claiming 2022 as a success and have even bigger expectations moving into 2023.
Our Approach In 2023
Writing a fundable R01 is an overwhelming process in itself, so our goal is never to add extra stress but to instead relieve you of it. Our services are designed to meet you where you are on your grant writing journey and help you make practical, realistic steps toward developing your R01.
To further this commitment, we are getting super specific with our services so you can know which program is best for you.
Strategic Grant Review
One of the biggest shifts we made in 2022 was with our Strategic Grant Review service. Previously available to all R01 applicants, we refined the service to focus on qualified PIs reworking their applications for resubmission (either as an A1 or third-time A0). And here’s why.
When we looked at our data, we noticed that the success rate of the service is higher for those who are resubmitting compared to first-time R01 applicants. In fact:
80% of our PI’s R01 resubmissions were funded after working with us!
(which is pretty amazing considering 20% is the success rate for R01-equivalent grants)
There are a few reasons for this.
First-time R01 applicants have a much higher bar to clear. It’s because they’re simultaneously learning how to write an R01 while also writing an R01 (and refining their program of research). That’s a LOT to handle all at once, and in my experience most first-time R01 applicants dramatically underestimate how long that process takes— to just get the grant out the door, much less do a good job with it.
When you add in the constraints of our very thorough strategic review process (and the strict deadlines that come along with it), most first-timers really struggle to meet those deadlines. Which meant that our editorial team didn’t have sufficient time to provide the thorough reviews that the process requires. This did not serve our clients well and was extremely stressful for the editorial team.
PIs who are resubmitting grants have the advantage of peer feedback from the summary statement to guide their revisions. PIs whose grants were discussed have the added advantage of the full discussion from the peer review group. When our editorial team could combine the insights from the peer critique with our own expertise around clear and persuasive communication, that’s when we really saw results.
For those reasons, we made the adjustment to focus on those PIs who are most likely to succeed - those who are resubmitting an R01 that was previously discussed. This adjustment came into effect for the October/November 2022 grant cycle and has so far been a tremendous success.
For those PIs who aren’t quite at the level of having a scored/discussed R01, the best way to access our expertise so that you can get your next R01 discussed is to take our Grant Funding Formula online course, which will walk you through step-by-step how to write a clear and persuasive NIH R01 grant.
K To R Program For Women Faculty
For our women faculty who are ready to level up from their career development award to R01 funding, our Impact Incubator program is for you. This group coaching program will ensure your house is in order before you actually start writing your grant.
It’s important to have a clear vision for your career and a clear plan of action for how you will convert your K award into an R01, then focus on building your skills around grantsmanship. Following this process will help you apply for your first and future R01 funding with success.
We’re piloting a new structure for this program in 2023, starting with a 90-day preparation program that will help you:
get crystal clear on your program of research,
create a blueprint to convert your K Award into a fundable R01, and
create a realistic grant writing plan to submit a clear and persuasive application by your chosen submission cycle.
Once you’ve completed that program, you’re ready to write your R01! Which you can continue to do with us, or on your own.
Self-Paced Grant Writing
For those who appreciate doing things on your own time, at your own pace, and don’t need outside accountability, our self-guided Grant Funding Formula course is available for you. It’s a 16-week virtual course that will teach you step-by-step how to write an R01 grant. Everything is laid out as clearly and as simply as possible, taking out all of the guesswork. You can get started as soon as you're ready by visiting the Grant Funding Formula registration page.
Other Free R01 Grant Resources
We strive to provide the highest value, whether you’re a client of ours or not, and our free resources are a testament to that.
We have our Free Resource Library, designed to sharpen your NIH grantsmanship. And if you want to continue the free route to NIH grant writing tips, we also have our YouTube Channel, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Another resource that our ESIs love is our Grant Writing Fundamentals Workshop. This 12-week workshop is offered three times a year to provide a strong introduction to the core skills that you need to write a really strong health research grant application.
Your Research Success Is Our Mission
We’ll always provide a one-of-a-kind R01 grant writing learning experience. We’re here to support women and underrepresented researchers become world-class grant writers, but that’s not our ultimate goal.
Our big goal is to see your R01 application get funded so YOU can do your impactful research. If our small part in providing these resources and support can help you create a significant impact, then we’re on our way to another successful year.
Your Next Step
As you make your own R01 plans for 2023, the sooner you take your next steps, the better your outcomes will be. Whether that’s planning your application process or fine-tuning your resubmission, our team is ready to serve and help you determine what step is best for you. Check out all the ways we can help you get funded this year…