The Grants Enhancement Program (GEP) was founded by CTSI-CN in 2010 to improve grant applications submitted by junior investigators to maximize the probability of funding. Providing this support at both CNH and GW is designed to expand the base of successful, externally funded clinical and translational researchers at our partner institutions. Explore the program details below and email CTSINavigator@childrensnational.org to learn more.
Grants Enhancement Program
The GEP process involves the following elements:
- Senior Level Proposal Review
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The GEP review consists of a panel of 7 successful senior investigators whose collective expertise spans the translational research spectrum. These GEP advisors provide detailed review, feedback, and mentoring of proposals from developing early-stage concepts to draft specific aims through full proposals, in concert with the investigator’s primary mentor. Requests for consultation by the GEP should be made at least 12 weeks prior to the grant submission date. The GEP reviews both initial applications and revised (amended, or “A1”) applications that are in response to an NIH critique.
- Open Studio Reviews
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Open Studios meetings address the earliest stages of project formulation. The meetings invite critiques of an applicant's conceptual design by a team of GEP faculty, together with other senior faculty specifically experienced in the project area. With this input, applicants then develop a specific aims page that becomes the basis for 1-on-1 assistance by the GEP members and peer critique.
- K/R Group Meetings
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The GEP hosts periodic meetings of two groups of peer investigators: those pursuing Mentored Career Development Awards, and those pursing Independent Research Awards (R Grants). At each meeting, the group reviews, discusses, and critiques the specific aims of a group member and provides peer review, guided by one or more senior faculty member of the GEP.
- GEP Library
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This library contains a collection of successfully funded grant applications for both mentored and independent R level awards, as well as various guidance documents for grant preparation.