The Internal Grant Review Program (IGRP) at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology was established in 2011 to provide new and early-stage investigators with assistance reviewing their grant applications to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The program continues to help our neurology faculty with grant applications, as well as offers resources for other departments and institutions to establish their own IGRP.
The Benefits of an Internal Grant Review Program
Stronger Submissions
An IGRP addresses the need for more oversight of the application writing process to encourage stronger submissions, increased mentorship, and a better chance of funding (especially K-awards).
Career Growth
Grant funding is crucial to a scientist’s career, as it provides the means for conducting innovative research and building avenues of further growth. Funding ensures dedicated and protected time for research up to 5 years, networking opportunities at scientific conferences, and dissemination of knowledge to other scientists and the public.
Diversity in Science
According to the NIH 2022 funding statistics, approximately 33% of K-applications (averaged, NINDS, K01 [32%], K08 [35%], K23 [33%]) and 19% of R-applications(averaged, NINDS, R01 [18%], R21 [20%]) are funded annually by the NIH. Only 1 in 5 scientists will get funded, and out of those small numbers, most of the awards have historically gone to predominately white and Asian males. This has contributed to the great disparity of research funding, limiting a diverse scientific workforce.
Neurology IGRP Program Statistics
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78%
K Grants Success
Percent of applicants who received the grant (i.e. K01, K08, K23, K99)
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71%
R Grants Success
Percent of applicants who received the grant (i.e. R01, R21)
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38
Review Cycles
Number of review cycles since 2011
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222
Applications
Number of applications reviewed by the IGRP
IGRP Toolkit: Create Your Own IGRP
We put together some resources for teams within and outside of Johns Hopkins who wish to create their own internal grant review program.
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Foundations of an Internal Grant Review Program
Informational Flyer
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Framework for an Internal Grant Review Program
Presentation Slides
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NIH (K) Kiosk
List of K award programs
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NIH Review Guidelines
General guidelines and grant-specific resources
Publications and Posters
Publications
- Thomas, H. S., Brodsky, M. B., Ewen, J. B., Bergey, G. K., Lloyd, T. E., Haughey, N. J., & Marvel, C. L. (2017). Internal grant review to increase grant funding for junior investigators. Annals of neurology, 82(4), 497–502.
Posters
- “Internal Review of Grant Applications for New and Early-Stage Investigators” (People’s Choice Award for Best Poster at the 2016 Society of Research Administrators International Conference, San Antonio, TX)
- “Get Your Head in the Clouds!” (Best Poster of the Year North America and People’s Choice Awards for Best Poster at the 2018 Society of Research Administrators International Conference, Orlando, FL)