Table #2.

Top Ten Tips for Successful Grantsmanship for NIH and ACS Applications

Top Ten Tips
1.	DO YOUR HOMEWORK: Go online and look for relevant funders and funding announcements.
2.	DO NOT WAIT for an RFA (set aside funding) or a specific FOA: If there is a gap in the science and you have a good idea to pursue prepare an application. Let the science guide your application. Do not contort your application to a funding announcement that does not really fit.
3.	TALK TO YOUR PROGRAM OFFICER: Talk early, often and after the review if your application did not fare well. Prior to review, ask the Program Officer whether your ideas are of interest to the funder, and who might be the best champion for this work. Review the study section rosters and consider which study sections have on their panel reviewers with the requisite expertise to evaluate the application‘s merits.
4.	FOLLOW DIRECTIONS: For requested format, content, receipt dates, etc.
5.	START EARLY: Be willing to write and rewrite your application.
6.	WRITE WITH THE REVIEWER IN MIND: Remember that scientific peer review is you. Most reviewers want to be your advocate, but your job is to convince these individuals that what you want to do is exciting, important, well-thought out, and that you are the right person/team to do it.
7.	CRITIQUE: Obtain peer review and critique prior to submission.
8.	PERSISTENCE: The majority of applications received are NOT funded on the first submission.
9.	MULTIPLE FUNDERS: Do not send your bright ideas to only one funder (i.e., do not put all your eggs in one basket). Funding sources such as foundations, charitable organizations, patient advocacy groups, and professional societies can be an important source of funding for pilot studies.
10.	FOCUS AND SIMPLIFY: Ensure that your aims are connected, focus around a well-defined question or theme, and proceed logically toward your short- and long-term research goals. When in doubt, simplify your aims.