Enhanced Grant Writing Coaching Intervention for a Diverse Biomedical Workforce

成功获得外部研究资金的能力是生物医学研究的一项基本技能 实习生必须具备向独立调查员过渡的职业生涯。在最初的4年里 国家研究指导网络(NRMN)，4种不同的生物医学拨款撰写指导小组模式 初级教员和博士后研究员，已知在小规模上有效，在全国范围内进行试点。 所有模特都有最初的面对面培训课程，然后是虚拟教练会议(小组和/或 个人)几个月。教练是由经验丰富的调查人员提供的，他们具有高水平的 擅长撰写美国国立卫生研究院的建议书。然而，这些模型在几个核心设计特征上有所不同，例如 学员资格(准备好写作，在其研究领域得到指导的程度)，寿命(4-12个月)，类型 所提供的反馈(书面、口头，两者兼而有之)、涵盖的提案部分以及模拟审查的使用。这些 差异使得能够比较不同变量的初始结果和过程数据。总数为541 来自156个机构的个人参加了调查，其中63%来自代表性不足的群体。无论型号如何， 绝大多数教练组参与者报告说，他们在知识、技能、 并赋予写作自我效能感。提议的资助结果也是积极的，但不同的模式不同 12%至24%的提交人。 从最成功和最具可扩展性的模式开始，并借鉴有效的 在其他模式的基础上，设计了一种增强的助学金撰写教练组模式，并将其 准备使用随机对照试验设计进行测试。要研究的关键变量是：1) 写作小组(即一个为期5个月的密集过程与小组结束后的持续支持)和2) 当地科学导师在小组期间的参与度(即结构化与非结构化)。A 2 X 2 因素设计将在5年内涉及288名初级教师，实现2个具体目标：目标1-确定 在以下情况下，新的、增强的培训干预对建议书提交和资金率的有效性 不同的教练剂量(常规和延长)，以及聘请当地导师与教练小组的模式 (非结构化与结构化)。目标2-确定个人(个人)、教练组和机构因素 预测提案的提交、重新提交和资金。目标2将通过有史以来第一次深入的 混合方法研究设计，以确定干预的作用机制。它将结合在一起 多个潜在预测变量的关联分析与逐个人的深入定性分析 个人在提交建议书和审核结果方面的工作经验。这件事的影响 这项研究将对一种非常有希望的方法进行详细的客观分析，以帮助初级教师 独立的尖端获得资金。对重要因素和与之相关的因素的深入研究 成功的资金将使干预措施得以最终完善，以便广泛传播和应用。

The ability to successfully acquire external research funding is an essential skill biomedical research trainees must acquire to make the career transition into independent investigator. During the first 4 years of the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN), 4 different grant writing coaching group models for biomedical junior faculty and postdoctoral fellows, known to be effective on a small scale, were piloted at a national level. All of the models had an initial in-person training session, followed by virtual coaching meetings (group and/or individual) for several months. Coaching was provided by accomplished investigators with high levels of expertise in NIH proposal writing. However, the models differed in several of their core design features such as trainee eligibility (readiness to write, extent of mentorship in their research area), longevity (4-12 months), type of feedback provided (written, oral, both), proposal sections covered, and use of mock review. These differences enabled comparison of initial outcome and process data across the variations. A total 541 individuals from 156 institutions participated, with 63% from underrepresented groups. Irrespective of model, the great majority of coaching group participants reported meaningful learning gains in their knowledge, skills, and grant writing self-efficacy. Proposal funding outcomes were also positive, but varied between models from 12% to 24% of those submitted. Starting from the model that was most successful and most expandable, and drawing on effective elements of the other models, an enhanced grant writing coaching group model has been designed and is ready to be tested using a randomized controlled trial design. Key variables to be studied are: 1) the `dose' of the writing groups (i.e. a single 5-month intensive process vs. continuing support after the group) and 2) degree of engagement of local scientific mentors during the group (i.e. structured vs. unstructured). A 2 X 2 factor design will involve 288 junior faculty over the 5 years, achieving 2 Specific Aims: Aim 1 - Determine the effectiveness of a new, enhanced coaching intervention on proposal submission and funding rates when varying coaching dose (regular vs. extended), and mode of engaging local mentors with the coaching group (unstructured vs. structured). Aim 2 - Identify individual (person), coaching group, and institution factors that predict submission, resubmission, and funding of proposals. Aim 2 will be achieved by a first-ever in-depth mixed methods research design to determine the mechanisms by which the intervention works. It will combine association analyses with multiple potential predictor variable with in-depth qualitative analysis of person-by- person experiences working toward proposal submission and through review outcomes. The Impact of this study will be a detailed objective analysis of a very promising methodology for assisting junior faculty on the cusp of independence obtain funding. The in-depth study of factors important to and associated with successful funding will enable final refinement of the intervention for broad dissemination and application.