Table #3.

Most Common Application Problems for NIH and ACS Submissions

Significance: ▪Absence of an acceptable scientific rationale ▪Low likelihood for substantial impact

Approach: ▪Questionable reasoning in experimental approach ▪Uncritical approach; failure to mention potential limitations ▪Diffuse, superficial, or unfocused research plan ▪Lack of sufficient methodological detail ▪Lack of knowledge of published relevant work ▪Unrealistically large amount of work ▪Uncertainty concerning future directions

Innovation: ▪Lack of new or original ideas ▪Lack of innovative methodologies or approach

Investigators: ▪Lack of experience in the essential methodology ▪Lack of evidence of previous collaboration among key study members (more important for larger studies than for smaller or exploratory/developmental studies)

Environment: ▪Lack of institutional resources necessary to accomplish the proposed work