Applying for NIH Grants

Abstract

Applying for grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a difficult process, so why do we put ourselves through this particular test? The most compelling reason for many investigators is the autonomy provided by successful pursuit of federal funding. The budget and duration of NIH grants are often more generous than those from other sources, giving investigators sufficient support to pursue the scientific questions of greatest interest to them and to focus their professional efforts primarily in this direction (by “buying out” their time from alternative demands). There may also be systemic pressures to solicit external funding, as investigators are expected to subsidize both their own salaries and the costs of their laboratories, especially in academic medical centers. In addition, the validation, recognition, and prestige associated with receiving an NIH grant can be important incentives. Nonetheless, before plunging into the arduous world of grantsmanship at the federal level, be sure to ask yourself, “Why me?,” and be confident that your answer is convincing enough to sustain you through the inevitable ups-and-downs you are guaranteed to experience.