I have just skimmed this report so far but it looks like an interesting
overview. I have been heavily involved in two successful NIH research grant
applications (both R01s) that involved significant qualitative research. I
have another pending.
In the proposals I've been involved in there were substantial budgets and
the budget was not a concern. The sample size often was an issue, usually
because the size was interpreted from a quantitative perspective or the
qualitative study is perceived as just exploratory work in order to
undertake quantitative research.
In my experience one is often writing for reviewers who are more familiar
with quantitative research. It can be a frustrating and challenging
experience. Some Institutes and review groups are probably more favorable
to qualitative research than others because they have historically
supported more qualitative research and are more likely to assign
qualitative proposals to SRGs with experienced qualitative reviewers
present.
The quote in the report that caught my eye was this: "If I had to sum up my
experiences as an NIH grant applicant, I would say to potential
grantees, "Watch your language" (Workshop Participant). Very true. You have
to think how every phrase might be interpreted in ways that one might not
intend. Nail everything down and then hope you have a little luck with the
reviewers.
Once you've submitted a proposal read the humor column in Biomednet's HMS
Beagle on the review process (particularly stuff by Lloyd Fricker) to keep
your sense of humor so when it comes back trashed you can resubmit and
resubmit (see http://news.bmn.com/hmsbeagle/current/about/archives#humor).
Unless you're exceptionally lucky, winning an NIH grant, regardless of the
type of research, is usually all about enduring repeated failed proposals
and not giving up hope.
Here's a quote from an interview with Ed McCabe, chair of pediatrics at UCLA
(from BioMedNet):
"What are the qualities of a successful researcher?
There is no difference between those of us who are successful with funding
and getting papers published, and those that seem to have just as good
ideas but somehow when somebody tells them their ideas stink, they believe
it. I really think being able to recognize that rejection is part of the
game [is important]. If you know that, then when you don't get rejected,
you feel really good. One of my young colleagues when I was back at Baylor -
we had been successful with getting a grant and we had some successes with
other grants - he said, "You guys are just so fortunate you get everything
you apply for." We pointed to a huge file cabinet and said that was where
all of the ones that hadn't gotten funded resided."
We have a filing cabinet just like that one!
Alan.
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