Table 3. Checklist—Major Components of Preparing a K-Award Application.

Identify a primary mentor

Identify a mentorship team

Develop and refine hypotheses and specific aims prior to writing the research plan

Research plan

Depending on prior training, identify an appropriate didactic curriculum

Identify informal learning experiences and other proposed career development activities

Career development plan

NIH Biosketch—exploit Section A

Protection of Human Subjects and/or Animal Use, Resource Sharing, Biohazards, Select Agents

Responsible Conduct of Research

Reference letters—suggest points that referees may highlight in their letters

Budget—allow time to receive quotes for services or equipment

Allow time for experienced colleagues or a mock study section to read and critique the grant as a whole

Letters from mentor, mentoring committee, collaborators, consultants, and institution (to demonstrate institutional commitment)

NIH = National Institutes of Health.